Hatch Mott MacDonald announced that Peter Cipolla, Senior Vice President and Business Development Director for Rail and Transit at Hatch Mott MacDonald, has been inducted into the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who have long and distinguished careers in the industry, have made extraordinary contributions to public transportation, and have actively participated in APTA activities.
"I am grateful to be honored with this prestigious mark of distinction," said Cipolla. "It is inspiring and humbling to be included among others who have made such extraordinary contributions in public transportation."
Throughout his career, Cipolla has been an active member of APTA. He has served on several committees, been a member of the Board of Directors, and served on the Executive Committee for eight years. Additionally, he was a member of the Business Member Board of Governors for four years, and served on the American Public Transportation Foundation. He was also Chair of APTA during the difficult 2001-2002 timeframe, when the country was still recovering from the 9/11 attacks, after which he set up a special APTA Security Working Group to work with Federal agencies.
In his current role as HMM's Business Development Director for Rail and Transit , Cipolla leads HMM's rail practice in developing cost-effective and innovative engineering solutions for North American rail and transit agencies. Prior to joining HMM, he led several key transit agencies in North America.
Cipolla served as General Manager and CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in San Jose, CA, during its multi-billion dollar highway and transit capital program. In this role, he helped deliver major capital projects—both highway and transit—ahead of schedule and under-budget, including the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project, Measures A/B Highway and Rail Programs, and the Valley Transportation Plan 2020 Highway Program.
As the General Manager and CEO of Denver Colorado Regional Transportation, Cipolla was responsible for the direct oversight of major capital improvement programs including the initial design and implementation of Denver's Light Rail System, which now operates over five lines and more than 35 stations.
While serving as Chief Operating Officer for the Sacramento Regional Transit District, Cipolla oversaw the design and construction of the agency's 22-mile light rail line from an operations perspective, which spurred light rail development in the Sacramento area. Cipolla was also instrumental as Assistant General Manager of the Maryland Transit Administration in the implementation of its METRO Heavy Rail system.
Additionally, Cipolla served as the Project Principal for the Commonwealth of Virginia's Rail and Transit Program and Project Management Program, for which he oversaw the preliminary design of Amtrak station improvements in Lynchburg and Richmond, Virginia, and helped develop the comprehensive Virginia Rail Plan.
