Carballo succeeds Pat Hickox, named Professional Services Director for Transportation

OMAHA, Neb. - HDR’s award-winning bridges & structures team has a new leader. Manuel Carballo has been named director of the practice, which continues to push boundaries and design innovative, smart solutions for our clients.

Carballo takes the reins of a global practice that consistently ranks among the top 3 bridge design firms in Engineering News-Record’s annual rankings. With nearly 700 bridge specialists spread across more than 77 offices worldwide, HDR professionals have experience in the full range of bridge types, project delivery options and construction methods.

“Bridge design innovation is a topic I am passionate about,” said Carballo, who was most recently HDR’s central region principal bridge engineer. “As designers, we should always be evaluating new technologies and new materials for potentially beneficial applications to our projects, looking for ways to capture greater value for our clients.”

Leading a practice that has been at the forefront of the industry for decades requires a leader with commensurate experience, and Carballo certainly embodies that. With expertise in all aspects of complex, large-scale bridge design projects, Carballo has led bridge type studies, final design and construction engineering and inspection for everything from cable-stayed bridges to precast segmental concrete design. His experience also includes alternative delivery methods, such as design-build and public-private partnerships, where he’s led mega-projects worth more than $4 billion. In addition to his technical skills, Carballo is passionate about developing staff skillsets and building integrated teams that result in both personal and professional growth opportunities for all.

“Manuel’s technical background, coupled with his commitment to safety and quality, will be key to the continued success of our bridges and structures program,” said Transportation Planning and Design Director Andy Lauzier.

Carballo follows Pat Hickox, who was recently named HDR’s professional services director for transportation. Hickox will guide technical programs, service offerings and provide strategic leadership to our professional discipline groups to best serve clients’ needs.

“I’m excited at the significant opportunities ahead of us,” Hickox said. “New and developing technologies have the potential to transform what’s possible for our clients, and we are ready to partner with them to create better communities for all of us.”