WASHINGTON, DC – Tom O’Grady, president of HNTB, was recently elected 2026–2027 chair of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The announcement was made during ARTBA’s national convention, held Sept. 27–30 in Kohler, WI.

During his 34-year career with HNTB, Mr. O’Grady has held a wide range of technical, project management, and executive leadership positions. As company president, he helps guide the firm’s strategic direction, growth initiatives, and operations, ARTBA officials stated.

A civil engineer by training, Mr. O’Grady’s professional experience covers transportation planning, design, and program delivery. He has worked closely with state departments of transportation, toll authorities, transit agencies, airports, counties, and municipalities throughout the country.

His ARTBA volunteer leadership roles span a decade and include serving as chair of the Membership Development Committee (2020–2024), a member of the Strategic Planning Committee (2020 and 2023), president of the Planning & Design Division (2020), and chair of the Meetings Task Force (2017).

Mr. O’Grady also co-chaired the association’s recent Reauthorization Task Force, a 27-member group that developed “Moving America Forward: A Blueprint for Strategic Highway & Public Investment,” the industry’s policy proposals for the next federal surface transportation bill.

At a Sept. 30 ARTBA board meeting, Mr. O’Grady outlined where ARTBA will focus its efforts in the year ahead. He boiled the agenda down to five priorities:

• Secure a long-term, bipartisan surface transportation bill that increases federal investment and accelerates project delivery through permitting reform and greater state flexibility.
• Advance project delivery excellence by supporting permitting improvements, sharing best practices, and promoting innovative contracting approaches.
• Strengthen and grow ARTBA membership while amplifying member achievements, innovation, and industry leadership across all divisions.
• Help members leverage emerging technologies that improve project delivery, workforce development, safety, and operational performance.
• Keep worker safety at the forefront by supporting work zone safety initiatives and advancing best practices to protect roadway workers.

ARTBA also announced the election of its 2026–2027 officers during the association’s national convention. They include:

Chair: Tom O’Grady, president, HNTB Corporation, Kansas City, MO

Senior Vice Chair: Dave Zanetell, president, Kraemer North America, Plain, WI

First Vice Chair: Lisa Robert, chief executive officer, RS&H, Denver, CO

Northeastern Region Vice Chair: Mike Glezer, chief executive officer, Wagman, Inc., York, PA

Southern Region Vice Chair: Michael Vecellio, vice president, Vecellio Group, Inc., West Palm Beach, FL

Central Region Vice Chair: David Harwood, senior vice president, Terracon, Olathe, KS

Western Region Vice Chair: Joe Cutillo, chief executive officer, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc., The Woodlands, TX

Vice Chair at Large: Tony Boals, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc., Charleston, TN

Vice Chair at Large: Carlos Braceras, executive director, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake City, UT

Vice Chair at Large: Don Graul, chief strategy officer, Southland Holdings, Grapevine, TX

Vice Chair at Large: Scott Parson, executive vice president, CRH Americas, CRH, Ogden, UT

Vice Chair at Large: Ananth Prasad, chief executive officer, SH 130 Concession Company, Austin, TX

Secretary: Dave Bauer, president and CEO, ARTBA, Washington, D.C.

Treasurer: Tom Hill, Jackson, WY