Accomplished engineering and transportation professional, Andrew J. Gillespie, PE, joins Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) as vice president of the transit and rail systems division and director of special projects. Based in the firm’s Philadelphia office, Gillespie leads the setup, organization, and day-to-day oversight of project management, development, engineering, and overall delivery of complex rail and transit systems projects, beginning with the GO Transit electrification project. GFT&RS is a division of Gannett Fleming specializing in transit and railroad track, signal, communication, and electric traction design.
Previously, Gillespie served as the chief engineer and prior to that as the chief engineering officer for power at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). In this role, he directed all aspects of budgeting, operations, engineering, maintenance, and construction for SEPTA's traction power system. During his tenure, he overhauled SEPTA's capital maintenance program, tripling the annual production rate for replacing catenary conductors and all supporting hardware and assemblies. In addition, he implemented an ongoing maintenance plan for all electrical infrastructure. Combined with the capital maintenance program, this resulted in more than a 50 percent annual reduction in service disruptions caused by power infrastructure failures.
“Andy’s diverse background and understanding of the complex challenges associated with engineering, construction, and operations enhances our offerings to transportation and transit systems clients,” said Michael T. McNamara, PE, president of GFT&RS.
A registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Gillespie holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Northeastern University. He resides in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
