HNTB adds a new region, an operating division, and four presidents

Keith Hinkebei

Jim Thomson

Michael Inabinet

John Friel

Responding to ongoing growth and a robust U.S. transportation market, HNTB Corporation added a new region and operating division and named these presidents to its leadership structure: 

• Michael Inabinet, PE, Central Region, United States, a newly created region 
• John Friel, PE, Western Region, United States 
• James Thomson, PE, Northwest Division, a newly created division 
• Keith Hinkebein, PE, Design Build, providing alternative delivery services nationally

"To respond to rapid growth and expanding market opportunities, we have prepared organizationally for an exciting future. These leadership moves help us open new opportunities to better serve our clients, grow office locations, and increase opportunities for our existing employees while continuing to add many new employees," says Rob Slimp, PE, HNTB chairman and CEO. "It also allows us to better leverage our leadership capacity to focus on the most critical geographies and opportunities."

As an engineering consultant to departments of transportation, transit agencies, airports and tolling authorities, and other public- and private-sector owners, HNTB is advancing on a strong growth trajectory. The firm currently is No. 16 on "The Top 500 Design Firms" list as ranked by revenue in Engineering News-Record, up three spots from last year.

Inabinet leads the Central Region, which encompasses the firm's Great Lakes and Central Divisions. Most recently serving as HNTB's Western Region president, Inabinet began his career with HNTB in 2005 in Austin, Texas, as a project manager. Inabinet has progressed through a number of leadership and operational roles in the firm's Austin, San Antonio and Arlington, Virginia, offices, as well as the Western Region. 

Friel leads the Western Region, which includes the firm's Northwest and West Divisions. Friel has served in many significant roles of responsibility in his 25 years with HNTB. During the last five years, he successfully led the firm's Design Build unit, coordinating with offices and project teams throughout the firm, establishing strong relationships with contractor clients, and establishing firmwide processes while successfully delivering over $9 billion in constructed design-build and public-private partnership projects.

As president of HNTB's new Northwest Division, Thomson oversees Washington, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. Leader of the Northwest District since 2011, Thomson is credited for serving key clients, and offering expertise and guidance on large-scale programs to enhance and modernize multimodal transportation networks

Hinkebein leads the firm's Design Build national practice where he is responsible for the delivery of design-build projects on behalf of public sector owners or private sector contractors/concessionaires. He has served as president of two divisions, chief operating officer, chief sales officer, and chief delivery officer, among several other leadership roles at HNTB. Hinkebein works closely with regional and division presidents and office leaders to continue to elevate design-build so that it becomes an even larger contributor to HNTB's success.

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com.