People on the Move: HDR, STV, Transdev

Sept. 6, 2024
Personnel updates from around the transit industry.

HDR's Senior Strategic Communications Consultant Katie Caskey, AICP, has been promoted to serve as transportation strategic communications director for the company.

In this role, Caskey will be responsible for the continued growth, development and delivery of the 180-member transportation strategic communications practice within HDR’s 250-member program, serving clients in all infrastructure markets. She will work in partnership with strategic communications leadership across HDR to drive innovation and expand technical capabilities, geographic service areas and workforce development opportunities.

Caskey will also work closely with the firm’s global market and area leadership to identify client and project opportunities, where HDR can provide value-added services during the capital planning process and throughout the project development life cycle.

"Katie understands the importance of communication and how successful stakeholder engagement can inform key infrastructure decisions, build critical support and lead to improved mobility for all," said HDR Transportation Advisory Services Director Janet González Tudor. "Her experience, combined with her proven ability to innovate, provides a strong foundation for continued growth of our strategic communications practice in response to the evolution and transformation of our dynamic infrastructure markets."

Kevin Young, PE, has joined STV as senior vice president and strategic client service leader for the firm’s transportation Texas/mountain region. In this role, Young will focus on managing key client accounts and enhancing the client experience.

“Our clients and communities are at the heart of everything we do,” said J.J. Roohms, PE, president of the transportation Texas/mountain region at STV. “The addition of a strategic client service leader underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service, building lasting relationships and continuously improving across our operations.”

Young will focus on ten major cities in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, his primary office location. Prior to STV, he dedicated more than three decades to the civil engineering industry, specializing in client account strategy, developing and managing sales programs, leading pursuit strategies, as well as training and mentoring. With the expertise, Young will be responsible for growing key client relationships and expanding STV’s service delivery with data-driven client feedback.

Transdev U.S. has brought on Mischa Wanek-Libman as the new director of communications on its corporate marketing and communications teams. Wanek-Libman brings more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry to her new role, having recently transitioned from her position as group editorial director at Mass Transit Magazine.

In her new role, Wanek-Libman will be responsible for actively managing Transdev’s communication strategy and media relationships. She will work to provide support crisis communications to ensure consistent and positive messaging across all company materials. Additionally, Wanek-Libman will help ensure alignment of internal and external communication strategies with company goals.

Transdev has also named Katrina Heineking as a senior vice president of transit. With nearly three decades of experience in the transportation industry, Heineking is rejoining the company after serving in her most recent role as executive vice president of operations at Beep Inc.

Heineking spearheaded key growth initiatives, overseeing operations across nine states and forming strategic partnerships with international OEMs. Her leadership in the autonomous vehicle sector and extensive experience in managing large-scale transportation projects uniquely position her to drive Transdev’s strategic objectives forward.

Heineking’s previous 18-year tenure at Transdev U.S. saw her in various roles, including chief operating officer of Transdev Alternative Services (TAS). In this capacity, she was instrumental in establishing long-term partnerships in the autonomous vehicle space and managing TAS’s overall performance. Her contributions also included launching system-wide campaigns, fostering public-private partnerships and driving significant improvements in operational metrics, labor relations and safety.

About the Author

Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor

Eman Abu-Khaled is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelors in journalism. She works through Endeavor Business Media with Mass Transit as an associate editor. Abu-Khaled brings a fresh perspective to the visual side of journalism with an interest in video and photography work.