AECOM, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) and STV have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.
AECOM brings in former Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator
AECOM has appointed Veronica Vanterpool as senior vice president, americas transit lead for its global transportation business. In this role, she will be responsible for delivering major transit projects across America, driving AECOM’s business growth, and advancing its strategic priorities in this critical sector.
“As the world’s top rail and mass transit firm, Veronica’s appointment reflects our steadfast commitment to delivering sustainable, future-ready transportation solutions,” said AECOM President Lara Poloni. “Her vision and leadership will be instrumental in forging a more connected and resilient future for transit across the Americas, and we are proud to welcome a changemaker of her caliber to our team.”
Vanterpool has more than two decades of experience in the industry, having most recently served as the acting administrator of the FTA within the U. S. Department of Transportation in the Biden-Harris Administration.
“Veronica possesses unparalleled insights and purpose-driven leadership at a moment when today’s mobility challenges demand bold, transformative thinking,” said Mark Southwell, chief executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “Her ability to align infrastructure projects with community needs and long-term sustainability objectives makes her an invaluable contributor in advancing our transit leadership region wide.”
Vanterpool added, “I am honored to join AECOM to support a vision towards a more equitable, sustainable and connected future. As our new americas transit lead, I am committed to advancing practical, impactful transit solutions that strengthen communities and expand access to opportunity.”
TCAT appoints Tiffany Walker to assistant general manager
Tiffany Walker, who was hired as TCAT’s human resources (HR) manager in March 2024, has been appointed to assistant general manager.
Serving as second-in-command as a support to TCAT General Manager Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones, Walker will retain her role as HR manager but will also be responsible for organizational continuity and for providing guidance across all departments.
During the past 15 months, TCAT says Walker has built a solid HR team with strong recruiting capabilities and employee-support systems that have enabled the agency to improve retention and to fill driver vacancies. While doing so, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to implement effective management strategies that are helping TCAT to address its challenges.
“Since joining TCAT in 2024, Tiffany has had a tremendous impact on many aspects of TCAT’s administration, and we are extremely excited to have her joining us in the assistant general manager role to allow for her skills and talents to continue to assist in our recovery, expansion and delivering our core mission to the public,” Rosenbloom-Jones said.
Walker added: “Over this past year, I have had the opportunity to get to know our committed employees and to understand the different skillsets and talents each brings to the table in providing our riders an essential service. I am honored to be able to serve in this new role and to provide additional support, especially as we tackle the many existing and new projects that will enable us to offer our riders the best transportation possible.”
STV names next vice president and New York signals manager
Richard Barrett has joined STV as vice president and New York signals manager within the organization’s national rail and transit systems practice.
Barrett brings 38 years of industry expertise, specializing in management, design, procurement, integration, construction and in-service testing of train control and communications systems for railroads and rail transit agencies.
“Rich’s arrival strengthens our signals practice and positions STV’s systems team for further growth by bringing in a well-known industry leader to serve some of our longest-standing transit clients in the New York region,” said Chris Hertz, PE, head of the national rail and transit systems practice at STV. “Rich is well-respected for his innovative approach to project challenges, stakeholder engagement skills and track record delivering transformative transit infrastructure.”
Prior to joining STV, Barrett was a vice president and manager of signals at a multinational professional services firm. He most recently served as the systems and signal lead for Amtrak’s Gateway Hudson River Tunnel Project, where he oversaw the signals systems design for a new Hudson Tunnel between Penn Station in New York and Erie Interlocking in New Jersey.
Over the course of his career, he has supported signaling projects on both coasts of the United States, serving clients such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metrolink in California.
Barrett earned his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Western New England College.
About the Author
Brandon Lewis
Associate Editor
Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor. He is also a co-host of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast.