Thirty-year industry veteran brings expertise across several disciplines, including rail vehicles and facilities
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 29, 2023) – David Diaz has joined HNTB as fleet and facilities practice lead and senior vice president, supporting the firm’s transit and rail practice. Diaz brings more than 30 years of experience in the transit and rail industry, including rail vehicle capital programs, rail systems engineering and railroad operations and maintenance.
Prior to joining HNTB, Diaz served as the global director of rail for another consulting firm as well having been chief mechanical officer at Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
“We are excited to add someone of David’s caliber to our roster of industry leading talent as we grow and expand the capabilities and services we provide to transit agencies across the country,” said Ronnie Hakim, national transit and rail market sector leader and senior vice president. “His broad array of skills and expertise, unique understanding of all aspects of rail engineering and operations, and specifically vehicles, systems and facilities, along with his extensive experience in high-speed and intercity rail, will help us continue to deliver extraordinary value to our clients as they examine how to advance their most important priorities.”
In his new role, Diaz will collaborate with clients and project teams across the U.S. to help advance programs related to rail vehicles, rail systems and related facilities. This will include leadership on all aspects of the project lifecycle, from scope development to cost estimating, project delivery and project oversight.
Throughout his career, Diaz has played a leading role in the development and execution of major programs for Amtrak, MBTA, NJ Transit, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Caltrain, Sound Transit and New Mexico Rail Runner among others. Projects included acquisition and deployment of passenger rail fleets, maintenance facilities design and industrial engineering and signaling and communications infrastructure, including positive train control and communications-based train control.
Diaz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Assumption College and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University.