Amir Rizavi, PE, ENV SP, Director of Transportation Systems in VHB’s New York City office, was recently appointed Chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Transportation Consultants Council (TCC). ITE is an international community of transportation specialists who work to improve mobility and safety, as well as help build smart and livable communities. In his role as TCC Chair, Amir will oversee connecting a diverse community of professionals from all facets of the consulting field. The council’s goal is to promote awareness of the issues facing the transportation profession by providing a forum to share relevant experiences and resources, offering sound guidance, and sponsoring programs that advance the industry’s best practices.
“Amir’s selection to this respected position is a testament to his knowledge and experience with transportation engineering services for planning, design, and development studies, as well as his nearly 20-year dedication to ITE,” said Matthew Kennedy, PE, Senior Vice President, New York City Managing Director. “Amir’s involvement with ITE allows VHB to build and strengthen relationships with transportation clients and colleagues through industry events, conferences, and other networking opportunities.”
Amir first became involved with ITE in graduate school, serving as Vice-President of the UMass-Amherst ITE Student Chapter. During the past two decades, he has served ITE with passion and dedication. He was elected to the Executive Board of the ITE Metropolitan (Met) Section of NY & NJ in 2013, proudly served as Section President in 2016, and currently serves as the Junior Section Director. He also served as Vice Chair of the TCC from 2015 through 2017.
Amir has worked on a range of projects in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including road and bridge improvements, single- and mixed-use property developments, environmental impact statements, and transit/rail projects. He graduated with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, specializing in Transportation Engineering, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and was the recipient of the 2005 ITE Young Professionals Scholarship Award. He was also awarded the 2011 “Young Professional of the Year" Award by the ITE Met Section of NY & NJ, and won the 2012 ITE Traffic Engineering Council Best Paper Award for his paper entitled, “Safety Challenges in Developing Countries.” In 2016, Amir received ITE’s “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year” award for his dedication and commitment to the organization. Under his Presidency, the ITE Met Section of NY & NJ won the Northeastern District Section Activities Award.
With this appointment, Amir follows in an impressive line of VHB footsteps, including Paul Eng-Wong and John Kennedy, both past TCC Chairs and past ITE International Presidents; and other Section Presidents throughout the VHB footprint. Amir said, “I am appreciative of the encouragement and support that VHB has provided me throughout my involvement with ITE, and am grateful for the opportunity to serve ITE and the profession.”