People News: MDOT/MPA, HDR, NS

Pictured, left to right: Jonathan Daniels, Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration; Adam Mercer, HDR; and Ed Elkins, Norfolk Southern.

Jonathan Daniels will head the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT/MPA), effective Feb. 5. Also, Adam Mercer is joining HDR as Construction Field Services Director; and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Ed Elkins is tapped as Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Executive Committee.

MDOT/MPA

Jonathan Daniels has been appointed Executive Director of the MDOT/MPA, which manages and directs the six state-owned marine terminals of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. The Port ranks first among the nation’s ports for autos and light truck volume, roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery, and imported gypsum. It is responsible for nearly $3.3 billion in personal wages and salaries, $2.6 billion in business revenue, and nearly $400 million in state and local tax revenue annually. The Canton Railroad provides switching service to private facilities located in the port area, while Norfolk Southern and CSX provide service to most of the states east of the Mississippi, with connecting service to the western part of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

With more than 30 years of port and economic development experience, Daniels is currently serving as CEO and Director at Port Everglades in Broward County, Fla. He has led a $3 billion plan to expand business lines in containers, energy and cruise activity at Port Everglades, the 13th busiest container port in the U.S., which has an annual economic impact of $33 billion and supports about 216,000 jobs. Previously, Daniels was Executive Director and CEO for the Mississippi State Port Authority, where he oversaw a $570 million expansion and reconstruction project. He also worked for the Port of Oswego in New York and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

“Jonathan’s strong experience leading major U.S. ports and his unique economic development background make him the perfect choice for the Port of Baltimore as we continue to advance significant projects that will grow business and increase job opportunities,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said.

“I’d like to thank [Maryland] Gov. Wes Moore and Secretary Wiedefeld for this wonderful opportunity,” Daniels commented. “I’m looking forward to getting started, helping to increase port business and jobs, and lending my experience and guidance to transformational projects like the Howard Street Tunnel initiative and the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem restoration.”

HDR

Adam Mercer has been hired to lead HDR’s Construction and Field Services practice, comprising more than 1,000 construction professionals working across the globe. Based in HDR’s Indianapolis office, he will be responsible for continued growth of the practice and charged with leading and implementing construction services across markets, such as transportation, water, power, and defense.

Mercer has almost 20 years of experience in the construction industry, including serving as Construction Manager of the $1.2 billion Central 70 Reconstruction project that is reshaping urban Denver with a new tunnel and highway cover. He also worked on projects where HDR played key roles, such as the I-77 Yadkin County reconstruction in North Carolina and the Interstate 95/395 Express Lanes in Virginia.

“Construction services encompasses an important variety of skillsets in high demand among our clients, including construction managers, resident engineers, inspectors, construction administrators, and more,” HDR Transportation President Tom McLaughlin said. “Leading this growing service offering requires a specific combination of strategic thinking, leadership, passion, knowledge, and experience, which Adam has. I’m confident that with his leadership, we will continue to advance our Construction Field Services practice through the integration of new digital technologies and deliver exceptional projects with uncompromising quality.”

NS

NS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins was appointed to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee as Foundation Chair in 2023 and is now progressing to Vice Chair, the Class I railroad reported Jan. 10.

Elkins’ new leadership role for 2024 was announced during the Georgia Chamber’s annual legislative breakfast, “Eggs & Issues,” where he addressed a gathering of more than 2,500 legislators, business leaders, and state elected officials, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. He also facilitated a fireside chat with Jones, discussing Georgia’s workforce pipeline, supply chain, predicted economic growth, and community improvement efforts.

“Today, the U.S. economy depends on Georgia’s robust logistics network, and Georgia’s significance to the U.S. and global economy will only grow in the future,” Elkins said during the breakfast meeting, according to the railroad, which noted that Georgia Chamber and Georgia Port Authority leaders project Georgia’s freight tonnage will increase 91% by 2050.

“Norfolk Southern is proud to play our part in supporting that growth,” Elkins said. “That’s why we chose to move our headquarters here, and it is why we are wholly invested in Georgia’s long-term success—from economic to community development and everything in between.”

According to NS, Elkins pointed out that “[c]orporate citizenship is not only about conducting business. It is also about uplifting the communities where we live, work, and raise our families. With more than 5,400 employees calling the Peach State home, Team Norfolk Southern is present in all 159 counties of this great state. We eagerly anticipate deepening our positive impact on the state of Georgia and working alongside the Georgia Chamber and our public officials to achieve this goal.”