HDR’s Brian Kim Selected for 2026 Leadership APTA Class

Senior Transit Project Manager Brian Kim has been named to the 2026 Leadership APTA class, continuing HDR’s position as a leader in the public transportation industry. 

Kim applies his two decades of experience on transit projects throughout North America. Most recently, his strategic approach and delivery expertise have helped advance projects in Austin, Texas, and Seattle. His expertise in design and collaborative partnership have contributed to light rail projects that are transforming public transportation in their cities. 

“Coming from a family that was dependent on transit for mobility, I realized the value of transit early in life,” Kim said. “Leadership APTA will provide practical skills for me to share the transformative power of transit with future generations. This program will not only help my own career goals but will help prepare me to take on greater challenges and make more strategic contributions for the clients that we serve every day.” 

Leadership APTA, the transit industry’s flagship professional development program, is a 12-month program organized by the American Public Transportation Association. The program accepts only 30-35 participants each year and is designed to develop and support experienced managers and leaders aspiring to hold executive and senior leadership positions in the industry. The intensive program includes skill-building workshops, conferences, executive roundtables, team leadership projects and online meetings.

HDR has a long history of noteworthy involvement with APTA, including multiple employees who are previous graduates of the Leadership APTA program. 

“Brian’s leadership and technical skills underscore his exceptional talent for navigating the often challenging landscape of large infrastructure projects, especially within a collaborative and fast-paced environment,” said HDR Global Transit Director Matt Tucker. “The same qualities that make Brian invaluable to public transportation clients — technical expertise, a drive to succeed and the desire to take the challenges facing our industry head on — will make him an excellent addition to Leadership APTA.”

The full 2026 class was introduced Sept. 13 at APTA’s TRANSform conference in Boston, to be followed by meetings and workshops that begin in December.