Aecom announced May 14 that it has appointed Christopher O. Ward as senior vice president, chief executive, Metro New York. In this role, Ward will be leading strategic growth and profitability of the Design and Consulting Services group in the New York City Metro area. Areas of responsibility will include transportation, water and wastewater, environment, power, and buildings and places, which encompasses more than 1,600 architects, engineers, scientists and support staff.
Prior to joining Aecom, Ward most recently served as executive vice president for major projects at Dragados USA, where he was responsible for significant business development throughout the United States. His 30-plus-year career in infrastructure and government comprises experience in both the public and the private sectors, including a successful tenure at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey where he led the effort on the World Trade Center project and executed the turnaround at the site by implementing creative engineering solutions — delivering on a commitment to open the 9/11 Memorial by the 10th anniversary. Ward also repositioned the commercial office space on the World Trade Center site, including negotiating and finalizing numerous real estate, transportation and freight transactions, such as the one-million-square-foot lease with Conde Nast at One World Trade Center.
Earlier in his career, Ward served in the first term of the Bloomberg administration in New York City, leading the Department of Environmental Protection in a robust expansion of its capital plan. Previous roles also included managing director at the General Contractors Association of New York Inc., and chief executive officer of American Stevedoring Inc.
“Chris has demonstrated an intricate understanding of New York City’s infrastructure landscape, with a strong track record of blending opportunity and delivery to successfully execute major projects,” said Frank Sweet, Aecom’s U.S. Northeast Region executive. “His extensive experience makes him well positioned to lead and advance our long-term strategic plans for the New York City metro area.”
“I am excited to join Aecom at this transformational time, as the company's expertise and global capabilities continue to earn its leadership position in key markets across the nation,” said Ward. “I look forward to delivering on Aecom’s significant opportunities by working globally and executing locally, with a strong emphasis on the New York Metro market.”
Ward’s appointment reflects Aecom’s successful execution of its design, build, finance, operate and maintain strategy within the New York City market. Drawing from Aecom’s comprehensive service offerings, which have broadly expanded during the past several years, Ward will help Aecom apply its creative vision, technical expertise, interdisciplinary insight and diverse experience to address complex challenges within the metro area.
“I look forward to the integrated thinking and creative vision that Chris will bring to our New York market, further securing Aecom’s position as a global cities leader and making the world a better place,” said Frederick W. Werner, group president, Design and Consulting Services. “Our commitment to New York reflects Aecom’s belief that as urbanization increases, cities are becoming more and more critical as catalysts for cultural, economic and intellectual growth.”
Ward will join Aecom on May 26 and be based at its Third Avenue office in New York City.
