Peter Gertler, AICP, has rejoined HNTB Corp. as a Senior Vice President in a corporate and national strategic business development role. He is based in Oakland, Calif.
Gertler previously worked at HNTB from 2004 to 2014 as rail and transit market service leader and principal project manager. “He is a nationally recognized rail and transit expert who brings three decades of infrastructure leadership to the firm’s clients across the country,” HNTB said. “During that time, he served as national thought leader and subject matter expert on high-speed and intercity passenger rail, as well as serving in leadership roles for projects with a total construction value of more than $100 billion.”
Prior to re-joining HNTB, Gertler was Vice President Strategic Consulting at HDR, where he managed global business and strategic development, providing business and technology transformation advisory services to public infrastructure owners, including national governments, and state and local transportation agencies. In this capacity, he served as an industry expert on public transport and led major programs and projects in North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Prior to HDR, Gertler was Director Strategic Programs, Global Consulting Services, Infrastructure at software firm Autodesk. He also served as an Assistant Vice President at Parsons Brinckerhoff, and as a Planning Department Manager at BART. He started his career in 1987 as an Associate at KPMG Peat Marwick.
Gertler holds a Master of Science in Transportation Engineering and a Master of Arts in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics from the University of California, Berkley. He is active in multiple industry and community organizations, including: California Association for High Speed Trains (board member); American Public Transportation Association (board of directors); Jack London Improvement District (board member), APTA High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (immediate past chair); Transportation Research Board (member); American Institute of Certified Planners (member); and Running for a Better Oakland (board chair).
Gertler has written for or been quoted in numerous print media outlets, including The New York Times; The Bond Buyer; Engineering News-Record; and Bloomberg News. He has also appeared on many radio and television programs, including Fox Business TV; National Public Radio “All Things Considered”; and Bloomberg Business Radio. He was awarded the 2010 Civil Engineering News “Power List,” which distinguishes 15 of the most eminent professionals in civil engineering.
“Peter is a transportation and infrastructure expert with extensive global experience leading transportation and infrastructure businesses, projects and programs,” said HNTB Corporate Development President Doug Mann. “Our clients truly value Peter’s proven ability to assist them in solving their most challenging [problems]. He brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and executive leadership that is rare in our industry.”
“We are pleased to welcome Peter back to HNTB,” said HNTB Northern California District Leader and Vice President Darlene Gee. “He is widely known throughout the industry and our region as a proven leader, innovator, strategist and trusted adviser.”