As VHB continues its long arc of growth, we are strengthening our regional organization to better serve our clients and communities. The creation of a fifth region—the Piedmont Atlantic Region—will position us to proactively meet the needs of rapidly growing markets in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. With this exciting advancement, we’re appointing two new Regional Managers. Fabricio Ponce has been named Piedmont Atlantic Regional Manager and Joe Wanat has been named Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, effective January 2026.
“Evolving our regional organization is a significant milestone for VHB, underscoring both our growth and our commitment to supporting our people and clients,” said Mike Carragher, PE, President & CEO. “This advancement creates new leadership and growth opportunities while enhancing the experience we deliver to our clients. Fabricio and Joe will help propel VHB forward and strengthen our foundation for future generations.”
Fabricio brings a deep understanding of market and industry trends, and strong trusted client relationships to lead our Piedmont Atlantic Region—a growing megaregion of the Southeastern U.S. known for its economic growth, critical transportation corridors, and ever-growing population. VHB’s new Piedmont Atlantic Region will be comprised of five VHB offices across Georgia and North Carolina and more than 250 employees.
Fabricio joined VHB in Orlando more than a decade ago before relocating to Atlanta in 2019. Since then, he has helped triple the office’s growth to more than 125 multidisciplinary professionals who serve public and private clients in transportation planning and design, environmental resources, land development, landscape architecture, and multimodal public transportation. Under Fabricio’s leadership, VHB’s Georgia offices experienced significant growth through organic and strategic acquisitions that bolstered the office’s capabilities in land development, civil engineering, and aquatic resource services. He has been instrumental with project delivery and strategic pursuits for some of the region’s most significant mobility and connectivity initiatives, including developing a Regional Safety Strategy for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), leading the General Planning Consulting Services Contract for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and leading the Rural Active Transportation Plan and the Cultural Resources Support Services Contract, both for the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Joe will lead our Mid-Atlantic Region, home to 300 employees in Washington DC, Maryland, and across Virginia in Tysons, Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. Joe will collaborate with our Mid-Atlantic Managing Directors, Market Leaders, and Service Leaders to continue to advance growth and delivery of exceptional service to our clients. Over his 30-year career at VHB, Joe has consistently delivered impactful results. Since taking on the role as Metro DC Managing Director in 2022, he has doubled the office size to 100 employees and strengthened relationships with clients like the District Department of Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Arlington County. His recent projects in Metro DC include the nation’s largest urban smart streetlight modernizations and the DC Strategic Fleet Electrification Plan to transition DC’s public fleet to EVs by 2035—the largest public fleet electrification initiative in the country. Prior to leading the Metro DC offices, Joe served as Managing Director for VHB’s Providence Rhode Island office and Director of Transportation Planning & Operations in VHB’s Watertown office. Joe has 35 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve and is currently a Colonel at the Pentagon.
With Joe stepping into his new role, Nancy Barker, PWS, PWD, who has been serving as both Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager and Federal Market Leader, will now dedicate her full focus to advancing our Federal Market program.
Read VHB's Corporate Brochure, or reach out to Fabricio and Joe for additional information.
