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HNTB group director Mary Jane O’Meara honored with ARTBA lifetime achievement award

HNTB group director Mary Jane O’Meara honored with ARTBA lifetime achievement award

American Road & Transportation Builders Association honor awarded for outstanding leadership and long-term service in the transportation design and construction industry’s public or private sectors

BOSTON  – The American Road & Transportation Builders Association honored HNTB group director Mary Jane O’Meara with the Ethel S. Birchland Lifetime Achievement Award for her 40-plus year commitment to the transportation industry, including the advancement of female leadership. The presentation took place during the virtual ARTBA 2020 National Convention.

O’Meara began her career in transportation working as a consultant for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Several years later, Massport hired her as operations manager for the Tobin Bridge, and subsequently she was promoted to director of the bridge – a post she held for 18 years. In 2011, she joined HNTB to lead the Boston office, and today she is a vice president in the national toll group.

As a longtime, active member of Women’s Transportation Seminar, O’Meara served as Boston Chapter President, Boston Chapter Board and WTS International president. In addition, she has been very active in the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, where she has served as president, as a board member and on numerous committees. She also founded and chaired, for 20 years, the New England Toll Association, which fostered cooperation among the region’s toll authorities to implement unified electronic toll collection systems.

“Mary Jane is a pioneer who truly impacted the transportation industry,” said Phillip Brake, HNTB Northeast Division president. “We are honored to have someone of her caliber, expertise and passion serve as a leader in our firm, and we are incredibly proud to witness her receive such a prestigious award.”

In 2015, O’Meara joined an esteemed list of women who’ve made a difference in the transportation industry and was featured in the book, Boots on the Ground, Flats in the Boardroom: Transportation Women Tell Their Stories by Grace Crunican and Elizabeth Levin.

ARTBA comprises over 6,500 public- and private-sector members that aim to grow and protect transportation infrastructure investment. Named after Ethel A. Birchland, who served as ARTBA’s executive director from 1924 to 1928, this award is given to at least one woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and long-term service in the transportation design and construction industry’s public or private sectors. Particular focus is given to the individual’s dedication to the advancement of innovation and other women leaders.

About HNTB

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With 106 years of service in the United States, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com, or follow HNTB on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.