HDR Promotes Brian Buchanan to Transit Program Management Lead
Brian Buchanan, a seasoned leader in delivering complex transportation programs, has been named HDR’s transit program management lead.
Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Buchanan will bring together knowledge and expertise from across HDR’s transit and program management practices to deliver multifaceted transit programs, including bus rapid transit, streetcars, commuter rail, light rail and heavy rail.
Buchanan has years of experience leading major transit programs, including Project Connect, the first light rail program in Austin, Texas, and the $1.4 billion Phoenix Light Rail New Starts Project in Phoenix, Arizona. He has extensive experience with federal and local funding processes and requirements, managing large capital projects in multi-jurisdictional environments and strategic planning for the building of an organization. Before joining HDR in 2018, he spent nearly 15 years managing projects and planning for public agencies, gaining valuable perspective on the needs of transit systems.
“After 25 years in this business, what energizes me the most is working alongside clients and integrated teams to solve complex problems and deliver programs everyone can be proud of,” Buchanan said. “I’m looking forward to using this role to showcase the real value of program management — strong governance, clear decision-making, risk management and alignment across small and large transit programs.”
The transit program management practice that Buchanan will lead encompasses a wide range of services that HDR provides, including transportation program management, engineering design, project controls, and expertise in environmental, safety, utilities, architectural, systems, facilities, traffic engineering and other disciplines.
“Brian’s passion and outside-the-box thinking helps him achieve results and make him the right person to lead HDR’s transit program management practice,” said HDR Global Transit Director Matt Tucker. “His ability to bring structure to complex environments and projects will be a great asset to our clients.”
