Gannett Fleming & Terracon Executives Honored in Nation’s Capital With ARTBA Leadership Impact Awards
(WASHINGTON) – Gannett Fleming Executive Vice President John Derr and Terracon Senior Vice President David Harwood were honored May 14 with American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation Leadership Impact Awards. The pair was recognized during lunch at ARTBA’s Federal Issues Program in Washington, D.C.
Award winners are selected from the more than 850 professionals who have completed ARTBA’s Industry Leader Development Program (ILDP), an intensive two-and-a-half day annual gathering that introduces participants to the federal legislative and regulatory process and ARTBA’s role in shaping transportation policy.
Nominees were evaluated by their peers based on three key criteria: 1) demonstrated contributions to national, state, or local transportation design and construction associations or professional societies; 2) proven track record displaying visionary thinking, driving change, or solving problems that helped improve operational performance; and 3) serving as a mentor to firm/agency colleagues or industry peers, and driving efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
David Harwood, Terracon (2008 ILDP class)
As senior vice president of business transformation, Harwood works at the intersection of technology and market opportunity, driving strategy and operational excellence within the company. He has been an ARTBA board member since 2013, serving currently as Central Region vice-chair, an elected position on the association’s Executive Committee. He is a past president of the Planning & Design Division and a recipient of the division’s Guy Kelcey Award.
Harwood is a dedicated mentor and gives back to the industry through his service on the Civil Exam Development Committee for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. He is also the chair of the “KansasWorks” State Board, building the state’s workforce through resources, education, and training. He was recently appointed to serve on the Biden administration’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) Expanding Workforce Subcommittee.
John Derr, Gannett Fleming (2003 ILDP class)
As executive vice president and roadway business group director, Derr oversees more than 600 employees. He is a strong advocate for the firm’s Connected Women program, which empowers and advances women within the firm’s leadership ranks. Derr also participates in the company’s Connected Relationships Mentoring Program, providing colleagues with advice on career advancement and professional development.
Derr brings this same dedication to advocacy and mentorship in his volunteer leadership roles, having served on ARTBA’s board since 2010, and through his long-term service to the association’s Planning & Design Division, where he, too, received the Guy Kelcey Award.
Established in 1985, the ARTBA Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity designed to “promote research, education and public awareness” about the impacts of transportation investment. It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, management and education programs, roadway work zone safety training and certificates, special economic research and reports, and an exhibition on transportation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
