Transportation leader brings extensive experience in client strategy, project delivery and organizational leadership
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 29, 2026) – Jessica Smith, PE, has joined HNTB as a project director in the firm’s Central States office. She brings extensive experience leading multidisciplinary transportation teams, delivering complex infrastructure projects and serving state and municipal clients across the region.
“Jessica is a strategic leader who understands how to align people, priorities and project delivery to help clients achieve their most important transportation goals,” said Cameron McGown, PE, HNTB Central States office leader and vice president. “Her experience serving state and municipal clients, combined with her leadership and client-focused approach, will create lasting value for our clients across the Central States region.”
Prior to joining HNTB, Smith held senior leadership roles overseeing multidisciplinary roadway, bridge and traffic design teams serving state and municipal clients across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. Her responsibilities included guiding project delivery, developing client relationships and mentoring transportation professionals. Her project management experience includes the Newberry 2+2 alternatives study and design and the US-75 Nebraska City to Murray 2+2 study for the Nebraska Department of Transportation, as well as the 30% to 60% design phases of the Lee’s Summit Road reconstruction for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
Earlier in her career, Smith held leadership and project management roles involving roadway, bridge, rail and other transportation infrastructure. Her experience includes complex project and program delivery, organizational leadership and coordination with public agencies and industry stakeholders.
Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is a licensed professional engineer. She is active in the American Council of Engineering Companies, including service on the ACEC Missouri Kansas City liaison committee and previous leadership of ACEC Nebraska’s Omaha Engineering Committee.