July/August 2024 - 32

Jihad Maksad- PMP, LEED AP, is a project manager
at AECOM. During the past 15 years, he
has dedicated his career to the infrastructure
and transportation industry, which has taken
him on a path from the Middle East into Europe
and eventually to New York.
Maksad began in the Middle East working
Jihad Maksad
Project Manager,
AECOM
on the construction of a university capable of
holding 40,000 students. This early experience
of working hand-in-hand with construction
labor workers in the field instilled in him an
appreciation and passion for large-scale infrastructure
projects and set the foundation
for his career moving forward. He moved to
Europe and found himself working on various
infrastructure projects that have helped him to
develop international experience and exposed
him to different cultures and approaches to infrastructure
planning and development.
After completing his master's degree in construction
management at Columbia University
in New York, he joined AECOM, where he has
spent the past six years in several roles and working
on many infrastructure projects that have
helped to strengthen transit. He is currently
With encouraging levels of
federal funds dedicated
to transit infrastructure
and electrification, it's
an exciting time to be
working in this market. "
focusing his efforts on the company's contract
with New Jersey Transit to electrify its bus fleet.
One of Maksad's most recent achievements was
being part of a core pursuit team at AECOM to
develop the proposal for the $6 billion Amtrak
Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore, Md.
Additionally, he has worked on studies and proposals
for projects like the Washington Union
Station redevelopment and is currently working
with the Connecticut Department of Transportation
to electrify its rail system and procure a
new fleet of coach vehicles.
Fast Fact: Maksad's internal dilemma is
promoting the utility of mass transit while
having an affinity for classic muscle cars.
MassTransitmag.com/55126768
Tim Simon is the associate vice president and
Texas/Gulf Coast transit-rail lead at AECOM,
working in the transit industry since he graduated
from the University of Kansas, with a
master's in architecture and urban planning.
Simon first discovered his passion for the
Tim Simon
Associate Vice
President, TransitRail
Lead,
AECOM
transit industry while studying abroad in Spain
during his undergrad years. He began to ask
himself questions such as, " Who plans transit?
How can transit be planned and designed for
everyone? How do I learn how to do this? "
Simon took his first transit job as an entry-level
transit service planner and scheduler at the
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
(KCATA) in Kansas City, Mo.
His career path into the transit world has led
him to serve at Lane Transit District (LTD), then
into the consulting side of transit with Alliance
Transportation Group (ATG) as a transit planner.
He notes that his background as a service
planner provides a unique perspective that helps
bridge the gap between planning, development
and implementation.
Learn about every aspect
and component of what
it takes to put transit
service on the street. "
Simon was a service planner for LTD in the
planning, development and implementation
of the West Eugene Express Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) line. The BRT line is now operational and
has expanded the agency's network.
An accomplishment Simon is looking forward
to is the day he gets to take his daughters to ride
the Austin Light Rail. He says he has worked for
years with an amazing team, project partners
and the community to make light-rail a reality
for the Austin community.
Fast Fact: Simon is an active outdoor rock
climber and loves climbing big mountains
and walls.
MassTransitmag.com/55126500
32 Mass Transit | JULY/AUGUST 2024
BEST & BRIGHTEST
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July/August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2024
