HNTB names Reza Akhavan office leader in Denver

With more than 30 years of engineering experience, former CDOT Denver metro region director has successfully managed complex transportation infrastructure projects

DENVER (April 11, 2022) – HNTB Corporation has named Reza Akhavan, PE, its new office leader in Denver. A veteran engineer and transportation expert, Akhavan brings more than 30 years of experience in planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance and program management of transportation projects.

Akhavan leads a team of transportation infrastructure professionals to meet client needs throughout the Denver region. He works closely with various public agencies, including the systems engineering teams with several clients in HNTB’s West Region such as Caltrain, Sound Transit (Seattle) and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. In Colorado, Reza works alongside the City and County of Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Denver International Airport, the Regional Transportation District, and the Colorado Department of Transportation. His responsibilities include ensuring technical excellence for HNTB’s many projects and providing guidance on major programs. He also supports the growth of HNTB’s presence in Colorado.

“HNTB is thrilled to have Reza lead our Denver office as it continues to support growth in Denver and throughout Colorado,” said Mel Sears, PE, PMP, HNTB Northwest Division president. “Colorado is one of the fastest growing states in the country. Reza’s breadth of engineering and transportation experience, his trusted relationships with local public agencies, and his three decades of familiarity with the Denver area will prove invaluable as we deliver transportation infrastructure solutions that best meet the needs of the Denver community.”

Akhavan joined HNTB in August 2020 as transportation practice leader in Colorado. In this role, he worked with state and local transportation agencies to meet the Denver region’s most complex transportation challenges.

Prior to HNTB, Akhavan worked in various leadership roles with other engineering consulting firms. He served as an advisor and program manager to RTD’s FasTracks program. He oversaw major projects that included Denver International Airport’s Concourse Expansion project and CDOT’s Central 70 project.

Akhavan spent 27 years with CDOT in engineering roles and eventually as transportation director. At CDOT, Akhavan led the transportation program for the Denver metropolitan area. He supervised the region’s funding and oversaw teams that completed many of the region’s largest projects, including the I-25 Valley Highway environmental impact statement and reconstruction, U.S. 36 express lanes, and the I-225 highway expansion and light rail extension. Akhavan oversaw CDOT’s first design-build project in the early ‘90s at the I-225 and I-70 interchange. His advocacy of alternative delivery in the region led to CDOT’s first construction manager/general contractor delivery method for the Pecos Street Bridge replacement over I-70.

Additionally, Akhavan worked as a consulting program manager on CDOT’s 2013 flood response and recovery program, which resulted in several permanent projects, including the reconstruction of U.S. 34 Big Thompson Canyon.

Akhavan holds a Bachelor of Science in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Colorado at Denver. He has served as CDOT executive representative on the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Transportation Advisory Committee and Regional Transportation Committee to address challenges and plan for regional development.