John R. Njord, P.E.
John is a proven leader in his fourth decade of leadership in the transportation industry. He has a working knowledge of the technical aspects of the transportation and infrastructure industry in addition to a first-hand understanding of the political, financial, and social requirements. A good listener, an able communicator, a student of leadership art, an agent for change and unwilling to compromise his integrity.
Owner, John R. Njord, LLC (2013-Present)
As principal in his company, John has provided leadership, mentorship, and expert advice for those in the heavy civil construction profession in parts of the US and abroad. Clients have included national and international research, planning, design, and construction firms and agencies, as well as State DOT’s and Federal oversight agencies.
Executive Vice President, Tom Warne and Associates, LLC (2013- 2016)
While with TWA, John facilitated partnering, provided expert advice and mediated disputes on major infrastructure projects in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Washington, North Carolina, Canada and Qatar. He has advised national and international clients regarding innovative project delivery methods including Design Build, CMGC, and the various permutations.
Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation (2001-2013)
Under John’s leadership, the department became known nationally as one of the most innovative and best run state DOT’s in America. Focused on accelerated project delivery and minimizing impacts on customers, UDOT led the country in accelerated bridge construction (ABC), having completed more bridges using this technique than the rest of the states combined. Over 70 Design Build and CMGC contracts were successfully completed under John’s direction. The balance of the hundreds of projects per year were delivered using price plus time, also known as A+B contracting which significantly reduced the physical impacts upon drivers while dramatically speeding up project delivery.
Under John’s leadership, multiple billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects were delivered on schedule and budget, or better, using partnering techniques. Some of the mega projects include Legacy Parkway, I-15 CORE, and the Mountain View Corridor.
Deputy Director/Chief Engineer (UDOT) (2000-2001)
Chief Operating Officer for the Department, providing direction and vision to Project Development, Program Development, Operations, and the four UDOT Regions. Emphasized the development of leaders, empowerment of employees, partnerships with contractors, businesses, and other interest groups. Challenged employees to work in teams, measure their performance, implement quality improvements, exceed customer expectations, and embrace change. Served on the Board of Directors for the first major design build highway project in America, the $1.325 billion I-15 Reconstruction Project in Salt Lake County.
Director of Transportation Planning 2002 Olympics (Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee / UDOT) (1998-2000)
Integrated the concerns of multiple interests into a comprehensive 2002 Salt Lake Olympics Transportation Plan. Orchestrated the cooperative efforts of interest groups including security, federal agencies, Salt Lake Olympic Committee venue development and operations, venue cities, and other local governments. Coordinated with members of the U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of Transportation officials on Olympic transportation planning efforts. Championed the acceleration of multiple transportation projects before the games, and fast-tracked the development of venue specific transportation projects.
Professional Service Activities
· Past-President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 2003-2004
· Past-Chair of the Executive Committee - Transportation Research Board (TRB), 2005
· Founding chair of the United States Connected Vehicle Executive Leadership Team, 2004-2013
· Recipient of the George S. Bartlett Award for Outstanding Transportation Leadership, 2012 (AASHTO, TRB and ARTBA)
· Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) award winner from the American Society of Engineers, 2014 (ASCE)
· Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award winner from The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, (AASHTO) 2017
· Engineering National Advisory Council, 2012-Present (University of Utah)
· Board of Directors, CRS Engineering
Education and Professional Credentials
B.S. Civil Engineering - University of Utah
Licensed Professional Engineer