WSP USA has named its next assistant vice president and senior rail systems manager, Bill Keyes. Keyes brings 29 years of industry experience in rail systems design, construction management and program management.
In his new role, Keyes will be responsible for guiding projects involving transportation technology systems through engineering design, construction management and contract administration. Additionally, he will support business development and sales activities, and grow the Texas-based transit team. His leadership will complement WSP’s talented team of rail systems professionals to help clients deliver complicated projects.
“We are grateful for both the technical expertise and strong leadership Bill brings to our team,” said Julie D’Orazio, WSP’s national market leader for transit and rail. “Bill will not only help us grow our rail systems practice nationally, but his familiarity and experience with our Texas clients, he will help WSP deliver projects that address the region’s most pressing transit needs and priorities.”
As a systems area manager in Texas for his previous firm’s rail and industrial systems division, he was involved with several major programs for key transportation agencies across the state, including Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority, Trinity METRO and Houston METRO. He has also worked on projects with the Chicago Transit Authority and the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority in Los Angeles. Keyes led the systems design for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Light Rail Expansion Design-Build in Houston. He was also the project manager for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District positive train control system integrator.
Keyes earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a member of the American Railway Engineering, Maintenance-of-Way Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
WSP’s experts help transportation agencies plan, design and manage all forms of mass transit – heavy and light rail, streetcars and people movers, and bus rapid transit. The firm delivers advanced and sustainable outcomes to make transportation smarter, faster and more affordable for clients and their communities.
WSP is currently supporting programs for DART, Houston METRO, and is providing engineering support for the Texas High-Speed Rail program between Houston and Dallas. Nationally, the firm is contributing to the development of rail systems in Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Chicago, among others.
