Infrastructure firm AECOM has appointed Tom Prendergast head of transit within the Design and Consulting Services Americas (DCSA) and Denise Berger chief of operations (COO) of the company’s Northeast Region, effective immediately. They will both be based in New York City.
“We are at a critical moment for the future of the transportation and transit strategies for New York City and the surrounding region, while Congress considers proposals to reauthorize and significantly expand the (FAST) Act,” said Steve Morriss, AECOM’s president of Design and Consulting Services Americas. “Denise and Tom are better equipped than anyone in the industry to help the tri-state area leverage those federal dollars to help solve our pressing transportation and infrastructure needs and make it a model for the future of mobility.”
“The clients and communities we serve in New York expect and deserve smart, innovative infrastructure solutions which meet the needs of this unique city and state. Denise and Tom bring a combined seven decades of exceptional experience, as well as distinctive perspectives and skilled insights to our business,” added Morriss.
Prendergast will focus on the company’s transit market across the Americas. He has more than four decades of public and private sector experience in designing and operating transportation. He spent most of his career in senior leadership roles with New York State’s MTA, including as chairman and CEO. He is a board member of the Regional Plan Association and the Eno Center for Transportation, past vice chair of the APTA Commuter Rail Committee and past chair of the Standard Development Oversight Committee.
“Transit is my passion, and I’ve had the privilege of serving this market in New York for decades,” remarked Prendergast. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career, taking on a national transit role with an industry leader like AECOM, while staying rooted in the city I love.”
Berger will focus on the Northeast Region, with emphasis on development and execution of projects for New York Metro clients. She joines AECOM with more than 30 years of experience in the transportation and building industry. Most recently, she served as chief of operations for the engineering department at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She led many capital projects for aviation, ports, tunnels, bridges and terminals, Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), and the World Trade Center. Berger serves on the board of directors for NYIT’s School of Architecture and Design’s Advisory Board, WTS International Board and the Professional Women in Construction (PWC) board of directors.
“My career working in the public sector has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud of the projects the Port Authority Engineering Department planned, designed and delivered for the people of New York and New Jersey,” stated Berger. “Joining AECOM enables me to continue serving the industry as part of the private sector with a company known for delivering some of New York’s most iconic projects.”