Paula Hammond has been elected the 2022-2023 chair of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Announced at ARTBA's national convention in Tennessee, Hammond will be the first woman chair in ARTBA's history.
Hammond has had an extraordinary career, serving as senior vice president and national market leader at WSP USA since 2013, after approximately 35 years at Washington State's Department of Transportation (WSDOT) serving as the first female transportation secretary from 2007 to 2013.
While under her leadership, WSDOT delivered a $16 billion infrastructure investment plan that included two long-awaited projects: the longest floating bridge in the country and the largest diameter deep-bore tunnel for transportation in the world. Hammond implemented innovative programs, lean process improvements, efficient freight movement, and long-term safety.
At her role at WSP USA, Hammond helped clients with strategic advice on issues ranging from infrastructure resiliency to communications to emerging technology. She has also served as advisory committee member for the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Intelligent Transportation Systems Program.
Hammond has also led numerous committees of the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO), including chair of the Standing Committee on Highways.
Her volunteer ARTBA leadership positions include senior vice chair (2022), vice chair at-large (2019-2021), director (2016-2022), Transportation Development Foundation trustee (2016-2022), Project 2019 Reauthorization Task Force co-chair (2018-2019), and AASHTO-AGC-ARTBA Joint Committee member (2016-present).
Hammond said that ARTBA will remain laser-focused on implementation of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) funding levels and policy reforms with the aim to deliver the transportation improvements necessary for the nation’s economic stability and growth.
During 2020-2021, Hammond served as chair of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), a global organization dedicated to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry through advancement of women.
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Source: ARTBA
