Carragher named new president and CEO of VHB

Michael Carragher, PE, was elected by the board of directors as VHB's new president and CEO. Carragher is currently a senior vice president and directs the firm's Southeast Region. "Mike has an unwavering passion for VHB and our future growth and success. He is a true reflection of VHB's vitality and I am excited for the great opportunities this transition and fresh perspective will bring to VHB and our clients," said Bob Brustlin, current president and CEO. Since joining VHB 16 years ago, Carragher has taken on a strategic leadership role, focused on VHB's growth and success. He founded and helped build the firm's transit and rail practice, led the company's transportation practice, helped establish the Tysons office in Virginia, and led VHB's emergence as a premier integrated services consultant in Florida. "I'm honored and humbled by the confidence that VHB's board of directors has in me," said Carragher. "The talent and passion of our people inspire me and I am excited about the possibilities we can achieve together. I can't wait to get started." Carragher will serve as president starting in January 2015, working closely with Brustlin until he takes on the combined role of president and CEO on January 1, 2016. Brustlin, a co-founder of VHB, has served in his current role as president and CEO for 15 years. He will continue to serve as chairman of the board. "VHB, our people, and the work that we do are very dear to me and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of our generational company. I'm dedicated to passing along a healthy and growing organization to our next generation of leaders," he said. Co-founder and former CEO Rich Hangen joined Brustlin to introduce Carragher as VHB's next CEO to staff. "This process of transitioning leadership at VHB validates our generational company philosophy. True leadership transition occurs when we live out our values," he said. Carragher's experience includes the management of high-profile projects and programs. His notable work in the transportation field ranges from planning and client strategy consulting, to designing complex transportation infrastructure.Carragher is sought out by clients for his ability to analyze and solve transportation planning, funding, environmental, community, operational, engineering, and construction staging challenges. He is active in numerous professional associations including the Design-Build Institute of America (Florida Region vice president), American Public Transportation Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Women's Transportation Seminar, the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. He is also the chairman of the Advisory Council of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware and is a participant in numerous community and civic organizations. Carragher earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware.