Aecom announced July 21, that it has appointed Diana C. Mendes, AICP, as director of transit/rail, design and consulting services, Americas. Mendes is a nationally recognized industry expert with more than 25 years of management experience specializing in the delivery of transit solutions to promote vibrant, livable communities.
Mendes has held several leadership positions in client services, business development and operations within Aecom, including serving as the national director of transit planning and transit director for the U.S. West Region, as well as the director of strategic investments for North America transportation. Most recently, Mendes was the Chesapeake District general manager, responsible for leading Aecom’s business throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Mendes has been active on several boards and committees for professional organizations such as the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the American Planning Association, the National Building Museum and the non-profit Rail~Volution. Mendes was also on the advisory board for the American Planning Association publication Planning and Urban Design Standards, and was a contributing author.
“Diana has an exceptional understanding of the intricacies involved with transit, sustainable transportation and environmental management, and Aecom has immensely benefited from her expertise ever since she joined the company in 2002,” said Matthew Cummings, Aecom executive vice president and transportation business line executive, design and consulting services, Americas. “Diana has demonstrated not only continued technical excellence but also an unwavering focus on giving back to the industry, and I am excited to see our transit business expand to new levels under her leadership.”
Prior to joining Aecom, Mendes most recently served as vice president, national director of transit planning, at URS, which combined with Aecom in 2014. Mendes began her career as a planner with Wallace Roberts & Todd. She received her bachelor of arts in sociology at Mount Holyoke College and her master of city planning at the University of Pennsylvania.
