Former CTA COO Garcia Set to Join WSP USA

Written by Andrew Corselli
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Sylvia I. Garcia has joined WSP USA as principal consultant for public finance policy.

In her new role, Garcia will aim to lead the development and delivery of the firm’s public finance policy business, collaborating with municipal, state and federal clients to craft innovative financial, operational and strategic management consulting services. Based in the firm’s Chicago office, she will collaborate with transportation and infrastructure clients, including transit, rail, highway, toll and multimodal agencies.

Garcia most recently served as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), managing the day-to-day operations with a $1.5 billion annual operating budget and $5 billion capital plan. Her team was responsible for operations, maintenance, capital construction, strategic planning, human resources, procurement, technology, finance, law, communications and government relations.

Prior to CTA, Garcia served as chief financial officer and assistant secretary for budget at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), where she managed the federal agency’s $70 billion operating budget, executed 25 infrastructure loans for $11.5 billion, and served as chief liaison to the U.S. House and Senate on appropriations matters. She previously served as professional staff for the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Garcia graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in social science, and DePaul University with a master’s degree in public service management. She recently served as the transportation and infrastructure policy lead for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transition team and will continue to serve as a Commissioner on the City of Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Sylvia is a superb professional and a dynamic transportation industry leader,” said John Porcari, President of advisory services at WSP USA. “She excels at strategic problem solving and managing high-pressure situations, and her extensive experience at both the regional and national level will help transportation clients achieve optimal efficiency and inspire quality innovation.”

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