Former TxDOT division director brings strong client relations and more than three decades of public and private sector transportation experience

Katharine “Katie” Nees, PE, joined HNTB Corporation as growth officer and senior vice president. She is a nationally recognized leader who brings more than 35 years of transportation leadership to the firm.

Prior to joining HNTB, Nees served as the director of the Strategic Projects Division of the Texas Department of Transportation. Her responsibilities included direct management of six sections within the division in the delivery of $28 billion in complex, high-profile capital projects. Her experience included oversight of public-private partnerships to include one concession, design-build-operate-maintain, design-build, pass through toll and other forms of alternative delivery projects.

She brings extensive experience in the department of transportation, toll, P3, innovative financing, transit development and managed lane markets and services.

“Katie is well known for her experience with tolling, innovative financing mechanisms, procurement strategies, project delivery alternatives development and execution,” said Kevin Nelson, HNTB chief growth officer and senior vice president. “Her national client relations and strong leadership are key assets to the firm as it serves clients throughout the country.”

Nees is a past board member of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, and previously served as an advisory board member for the Texas Transportation Institute. In 2014, she received the Ethel S. Birchland Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association for outstanding leadership and long-time commitment to transportation.

Nees earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University. She is a 2015 graduate of the AASHTO National Transportation Leadership Institute.