Bonnie D. Shepherd
Michael Baker International, a provider of engineering, planning and consulting services, has appointed Bonnie D. Shepherd senior vice president and national market lead for the company's railroad and transit practice. Shepherd will be based in the Baltimore office and will direct activities related to Michael Baker’s rail and transit national market.
Shepherd has approximately 30 years of experience, which includes work in the rail and transit industry with a focus on multi-modal transportation in architecture and engineering. She has also worked in strategic marketing and transportation systems, teaming partners and intelligence related to transit authorities and commissions for ports of America, the Department of Defense and municipal and federal governments.
“Bonnie’s extensive knowledge in railroad and transit operations, leveraged with Michael Baker’s more than 76 years of leadership in the industry, make for a powerful combination,” said James Twomey, Michael Baker executive vice president and national surface transportation lead.
Prior to joining Michael Baker, Shepherd was vice president of corporate strategy at Systra, USA, where she collaborated and developed strategies focused on track, infrastructure, electrical and systems for new work in the Northeast United States and in the broader North American market. She also served as vice president of marketing and business development at Hatch Mott McDonald, specializing in multiple disciplines within the transportation industry.
“With the growing demand we see for transportation solutions that offer increased fuel efficiency and yield a lower carbon footprint, coupled with an upswing in the demand for bulk-freight transport, Bonnie’s expertise will further position Michael Baker to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions as we make a difference for our clients and the communities we serve,” added Twomey.
Shepherd earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and communications from Weston Business College. She is a board member and past chair of the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF); member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); coach for the APTA mentorship program, providing motivation for the next generation of transportation professionals; co-chair of the International Conference of WTS, D.C., Philadelphia and New York chapters, advocating for women in the transportation industry; executive volunteer for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO); member of the American Council of Engineering Companies; and she serves as an advisory board member of the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC).
“As a results-focused leader, I am pleased to join the experts at Michael Baker,” stated Shepherd. “I look forward to collaborating across the firm’s national network to develop strategies and cost-effective solutions for clients that leverage technology, optimize opportunities for success and impact the industry.”