One word to describe yourself: Collaborator
Alma Mater: Columbia University in the City of New York / The American University of Beirut
Fast fact about yourself: My internal dilemma is promoting the utility of mass transit while having an affinity for classic muscle cars.
What’s your best experience on transit and what made it memorable? During one of my regular commutes to the office in a New York City train, one woman randomly started singing “Stand by Me” for Ben E. King. For a few seconds, people were quiet and looked at her with bewilderment but shortly after another commuter joined her, others began clapping along and within seconds, the entire train car was singing, swaying and smiling. It was a moment that captured the potential for transit systems to be platforms for communities to connect, share experiences and bring people together. I stepped off that train that day with a smile and full of positive energy.
Jihad Maksad – PMP, LEED AP, is a project manager at AECOM. During the past 15 years, he has dedicated his career to the infrastructure and transportation industry, which has taken him on a path from the Middle East into Europe and eventually to New York, N.Y. Maksad’s experiences have equipped him with specific knowledge and skills, allowing him to contribute to the industry.
Maksad began in the Middle East, working on the construction of a university capable of holding 40,000 students. This early experience of working hand-in-hand with construction labor workers in the field instilled in him an appreciation and passion for large-scale infrastructure projects and set the foundation for his career moving forward.
He would then move to Europe, where he found himself working on various infrastructure projects, including ports and airports. One of his more notable projects was the planning of the Terminal 2 Kuwait International Airport, which helped him to develop international experience and exposed him to different cultures and approaches to infrastructure planning and development.
After completing his master's degree in construction management at Columbia University in New York, he joined AECOM, where he has spent the past six years in several roles and working on many infrastructure projects that have helped to strengthen transit. This has led him to his current place, working as project manager for AECOM and focusing his efforts on the company’s contract with New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) to electrify the agency’s bus fleet.
One of Maksad’s most recent achievements was being part of a core pursuit team at AECOM to develop the proposal for the $6 billion Amtrak Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore, Md. AECOM was awarded this project, which was Amtrak’s first-ever Delivery Partner contract. Additionally, he has worked on studies and proposals for projects like the Washington Union Station redevelopment and is currently working with Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to electrify its rail system and procure a new fleet of coach vehicles.
In addition to his professional achievements, Maksad is actively involved in industry organizations and initiatives aimed at advancing public transportation. He has represented AECOM at industry conferences and leads a team performing fire hazard analysis and assesses building codes to address the emerging risks of lithium-ion batteries inside buildings and the safety implications of battery-electric buses at bus garages.
Maksad has also committed to furthering his learning and development as a transit industry professional. Under the Emeritus Institute of Management, he led the Construction Project Management certificate course sponsored by Columbia University, teaching important concepts in managing a construction project such as project planning and project scheduling.
He holds certifications, including Project Management Professional, LEED Accredited Professional, Risk Management Program and DBIA Associate and has participated in mentorship programs at Columbia University.
Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today?
Like most, my journey is the combined result of many deliberate decisions I’ve taken over the years and of several external circumstances outside my control. However, if I were to consider which decision was most impactful, it would be leaving Greece to pursue higher education in New York City.
I say that because it’s most difficult to leave a place after you’ve built a community and worked so hard to become recognized for your accomplishments in a certain market and industry. Making decisions by choice rather than necessity is, at times, more difficult and that decision in particular led me to where I am today.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I work with awesome people from diverse backgrounds and in an inclusive environment that fosters innovation and collaboration to deliver transformative projects that benefit communities and improve people’s lives. Working with transit agencies across the nation has reinforced my belief that transit infrastructure is integral to a community’s fabric and provides opportunities where people can reach their full potential.
At AECOM, I’m fortunate to benefit from the mentorship of industry leaders and I do my part to provide guidance and support to fellow colleagues while leveraging the organization’s digital tools and advanced processes in governance and effective program delivery.
Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor
Eman Abu-Khaled is a former associate editor with Mass Transit magazine.
