Strengthening its position across the nation, global infrastructure firm Gannett Fleming has announced that Michael Holder, PE, joined the company as a vice president and principal of Transportation Services.
“Continuing to develop our North Carolina and Virginia operations, and expanding into South Carolina and Tennessee, Mike will help us capitalize on relationships by developing and securing business opportunities for our MidAtlantic and Southeast regions,” said Art Barrett, PE, Gannett Fleming senior vice president and MidAtlantic Transportation Business Line lead. “In addition to this geographic development, he will leverage his experience to strengthen Gannett Fleming’s position throughout the country in the areas of intelligent transportation systems, connected and autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and program management for design, construction, and management consulting.”
Holder brings nearly 35 years of transportation experience to Gannett Fleming. He most recently served as chief engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) where he oversaw the design, construction, and maintenance of 80,000 miles of roadway in the state’s 14 Divisions. During his career with NCDOT, Mike also served as acting secretary for Governor Roy Cooper and served as a division engineer for more than 13 years. Notable accomplishments include the successful restructuring of the state’s planning and design efforts, which advanced the credibility of the department and resulted in new funding streams and a diversity in design projects for field engineers; leadership of the Piedmont Improvement Program, an initiative to modernize the state’s railways and supporting infrastructure and provide more scheduled times on the passenger train routes; and design of the Monroe Expressway, a 20-mile bypass that will run parallel to I-74 and which will offer safer commuting options and ease congestion for pass-through travelers.
Holder earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. While at NCDOT, he served with the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials as chairman of the Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering, a member of the Standing Committee on Highways, and a member of the Innovation Initiative. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Operations Center of Excellence and serves on the North Carolina Institute of Transportation Engineers Strategic Initiatives Council. Holder has also served as the NCDOT representative for North Carolina State University’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering fundraising committee, which funds student scholarships and activities.
“Strategic growth and planning, tapping new markets, and the commitment to do what they say they will do is what brought me to Gannett Fleming,” said Holder. “Values, a strong emphasis on personal and professional growth, and a family feel within the company is what I was looking for, and I’ve found that. I am excited to contribute to the ongoing success of this innovative firm.”
