WSP USA Introduces New Leadership for Southern California and Nevada

Richard Chavez and Derek Messier bring extensive experience in multiple businesses to firm’s regional leadership team.

LOS ANGELES— WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, is pleased to welcome Richard Chavez and Derek Messier to its leadership team for Southern California and Nevada.

Chavez will serve as the advisory and planning business line leader and Messier as the operations leader for the district.

“We are extremely fortunate to have leaders with the skills and expertise that Richard and Derek possess join our WSP team in the Southern California and Nevada district,” said Chris Peters, WSP’s West region president. “They each bring deep understanding of the issues that our clients face and will set the framework for innovative solutions that will enable our clients to visualize and achieve their objectives today, and to prepare for what is to come in the future.”

Chavez arrives at WSP with 32 years of civil service experience, including 22 years with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), where he worked on a variety of transportation infrastructure improvement projects, programs and planning efforts. He brings a deep understanding of the mobility needs of the communities he will serve and extensive experience in the policy and planning space to deliver a more equitable transportation system.

Previously, Chavez worked on various highway planning and engineering assignments with Caltrans-San Diego. He also currently serves as an adjunct professor of urban studies and planning at the University of California-San Diego.

Chavez is a graduate of Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a licensed civil engineer in in California.

Messier brings more than 20 years of experience working in both private and public sectors in the areas of management, planning, design and construction for buildings, housing, transportation and fleet and facilities. He most recently served as the chief operating officer for the Illinois State Highway Toll Authority and also served as the chief property officer for the Chicago Housing Authority, and as deputy commissioner for Chicago’s Department of Fleet and Facility Management. His experience applied to the operations role will lead our teams in delivering high quality services for our clients and communities.

Messier is a graduate of Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration.

Chavez and Messier join Juan Diaz-Carreras on the leadership team for Southern California and Nevada. Diaz-Carreras has more than 20 years of planning and project implementation experience in the water and wastewater market, working on restoration, wastewater facilities, water reclamation and surface water treatment. He will use his experience working closely with clients, engagement with the public, and leading diverse teams to bring innovation and Future Ready™ solutions to the Water needs in the region.

About WSP USA

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 10,000 employees in 170 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com