Providence, RI Stantec continues to expand R.I. with the addition of two seasoned experts to the firm’s New England transportation practice. Walter Heller, PE, a former Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT) official, has joined as a senior associate. In this role, he will manage design and construction programs for roadways, bridges, and transportation facilities throughout the state. Additionally, Derek Hug, PE, PTOE has joined as a senior transportation engineer, supporting the transportation group’s efforts in comprehensive planning, design, and engineering for a wide array of projects across the state. 

Heller comes to Stantec with extensive experience in complex, high profile transportation design and construction programs. Most recently, Heller served as MassDOT’s District 6 Highway Director, managing a $20 million operating budget and an area encompassing 20 municipalities in the Boston area. Prior to his six-year tenure as district highway director, Heller was the state-wide director for MassDOT’s accelerated bridge program, a $3 billion budgeted undertaking.

Hug brings nearly 20 years of transportation sector experience to Stantec with expertise in an extensive range of civil, planning and traffic and transportation engineering projects. Throughout his career, Hug has expertly managed projects throughout all stages, from feasibility and planning to active design and construction. His design portfolio includes complete/green streets, traffic calming, roundabouts and bicycle and pedestrian facilities, among others. Prior to his role at Stantec, Hug was a project manager at Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. 

During his 16 years with the firm, Hug managed a variety of traffic and transportation engineering projects, from traffic studies to comprehensive road reconstructions.

The addition of Heller and Hug enhances Stantec’s global transportation services across Rhode Island, as well as the global design firm’s nearly 800-person New England regional team.