Former Federal Highway Administration Leader will serve as a policy advisor to clients nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 5, 2024) – Cheryl Walker has joined HNTB Corporation as a national practice consultant and vice president in the firm’s Advisory practice. Based in HNTB’s Arlington office, Walker will use her deep understanding of federal laws and programs governing infrastructure and their impact on the state and local agencies operating those assets to serve clients nationwide as a policy and program advisor.
Walker comes to HNTB from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), where she most recently served as the associate administrator for FHWA’s Office of Safety.
“Cheryl’s insights and unique perspective of transportation policy and priorities at the federal level will bring extraordinary value to our work with clients across the country,” said Jim Ray, HNTB corporate president. “I have had the pleasure of working with Cheryl for a number of years and know her vast experience in leading policy and programmatic initiatives will provide us an enhanced ability to offer needed solutions on large-scale projects and programs.”
While at FHWA, Walker provided executive leadership and direction in the development and implementation of strategic national initiatives, programs and policies to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the nation’s public roads. She also oversaw the agency’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which delivers funds to states to support projects focused on reducing fatalities and serious injuries. She also served as director of FHWA’s Office of Legislative Affairs and Policy Communications for more than six years, where she coordinated with agency leadership and Congressional committees on recommendations for statutory, regulatory and guidance changes to help improve the delivery of transportation infrastructure.
Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute (now Kettering University) and a juris doctor from George Washington University.
HNTB’s Advisory practice provides a holistic, strategic perspective to help clients develop and deliver their most complex programs. Specializing in advising on large complex projects and programs, the firm works directly with clients’ executive-level management to provide strategic and commercial advice, drawing on legal, technical, management and policy expertise. The practice brings in-depth knowledge of innovative delivery models along with substantial transactional experience and understanding of public and private sector perspectives to drive innovation and facilitate informed decision-making across disciplines.