HNTB Corporation welcomes Jim Ely as vice president, vice chair of toll practice

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 19, 2010) – Jim Ely has joined HNTB Corporation as vice president and vice chair of the firm’s toll practice.

Ely comes to HNTB from Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, where as executive director, he oversaw the nation’s third-largest turnpike system in revenue and fourth-largest in size with 460 centerline miles. Under his leadership, 143 miles of new turnpike segments were built or acquired while traffic increased fivefold to more than two million people per day. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise also has become one of the highest bond-rated turnpikes in the nation.

In his new role, Ely will work closely with other nationally recognized members of the toll services team, including Jack Finn, HNTB’s national director of toll services. Ely will be responsible for developing and implementing innovative programs with transportation leaders at the federal, state and local levels.

“HNTB is proud to have Jim Ely on our team. He’s a recognized leader in user-financed transportation. His experience, enthusiasm and knowledge of issues that affect state transportation agencies will bring extraordinary insight and value to our clients,” said Ken Graham, chief executive officer, HNTB Infrastructure. “Jim will draw from his many years of public service to help develop and direct strategies that enhance our firm’s continued leadership and service to transportation agencies, working with their executives, across the country.”

In addition to his most recent work at Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, he also has insights from toll ways nationwide as past president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, an organization that provides a forum for sharing knowledge and ideas to promote and enhance toll financed transportation services.

Ely holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in education, and a doctorate in public administration. He also is an alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 2007, Ely received the 2007 Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of West Florida. In 2004, Florida Trend magazine listed him as one of the 174 most influential Floridians.

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving federal, state, municipal, military and private clients. With nearly a century of service, HNTB has the insight to understand the life cycle of infrastructure and the perspective to solve the most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide provide award-winning planning, design, program management consulting and construction management services. For more information, visit www.hntb.com.

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