David Gehr, senior vice president and highway market leader at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff (right), receives the George. S. Bartlett Award from Pete Ruane, president and chief executive officer of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association

David Gehr, a senior vice president and highway market leader at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, is the recipient of the 2015 George S. Bartlett Award.

Given jointly by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), ARTBA (American Road and Transportation Builders' Association), and TRB (Transportation Research Board), the George S. Bartlett award, is conferred annually on an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to highway progress.

“Dave is exceptionally qualified to receive this honor,” said Joseph Pulicare, president, U.S. transportation & infrastructure, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff. “Throughout his career in both state DOT and private consulting, he has epitomized the qualities of leadership and has contributed greatly to the transportation industry.”

In his current capacity as a highway market leader, Mr. Gehr provides marketing guidance and technical expertise to the WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff's highway-related pursuits and ongoing projects. He came to the firm in 2000 following a 29-year career with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) culminating with his appointment in 1994 as commissioner. He also served as chief executive officer of VDOT and vice chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

As VDOT commissioner, Mr. Gehr managed the department and all functions related to planning, engineering, construction, operations and maintenance of Virginia's state highway system, the third largest state-maintained system in the United States with 55,000 miles of roadways. In his final year in this position, he oversaw a $2.7 billion budget.

A recognized authority on complex highway issues, Mr. Gehr has served on numerous boards and committees for organizations such as ITS America, the Transportation Research Board, and the I-95 Corridor Coalition. In addition to AASHTO, ARTBA and TRB, he is active in the American Society of Civil Engineers, Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance, and Institute of Transportation Engineers.

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