“As our fastest growing division, the Northwest Division continues to play a key role in HNTB’s ongoing growth,” said John Friel, PE, HNTB West Region President. “Mel will partner with teams in Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Denver and our firmwide resources to further build on the division’s impressive history of success and seek new paths for growth.”
As Northwest Division President, Sears is responsible for leading operations and strategic planning in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado and overseeing three offices, numerous field offices, and more than 400 professionals. He actively represents HNTB in civic- and industry-related associations, helps recruit talent to the firm, and fosters relationships with clients and thought leaders.
Sears succeeds Jim Thomson, who retired this spring.
Sears joined HNTB earlier this year as Western Region Sales Officer where he focused on growth in the region by increasing HNTB’s strategic focus on clients’ infrastructure needs and successful project delivery.
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Sears has more than 35 years of experience in the Western U.S. and has led the development of owner relationships, transportation funding initiatives, office and division leadership, and business development leadership. He also has project management expertise on complex public and private infrastructure programs and has worked successfully across many key markets, including highways, transit, and environmental with many of HNTB’s largest clients.
Sears is a registered Professional Engineer in California, Oregon, and Washington, and a registered PMI Project Management Professional.
HNTB's infrastructure projects in the Northwest include the Sound Transit’s East Link Extension project in Seattle; Concourse expansion and the Hotel and Transit Center at Denver International Airport; Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program in Seattle; new terminal, concourses, and parking facility at Salt Lake City International; and the West Davis Corridor highway design-build in Utah.
