Former general counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation DJ Gribbin has joined HDR as director of Strategic Consulting. In his new role, Gribbin will leverage HDR’s comprehensive consulting and technical services to identify efficiencies and generate savings for the firm’s clients.

“HDR’s client focus, collaborative culture and commitment to excellence positions us to be the nation’s leading advisor on alternative delivery,” Gribbin said. “I am excited to be part of this incredible team.”

HDR Vice Chairman Eric Keen stressed the importance of strategic consulting as the infrastructure industry continues to evolve in response to today’s challenges. He said: 

“Our strategic consulting practice is a key component of our ability to better serve our clients in the future and ensure we are fully adapting to the changing needs of the marketplace.”

Prior to joining HDR, Gribbin led government advisory and affairs for Macquarie Capital, where he helped states and municipalities explore the benefits of public-private partnerships (P3) for infrastructure projects, and led the P3 procurement teams. During his career, Gribbin has worked on P3 projects in more than 18 states, representing both governments and investors.

Prior to his time at Macquarie, Gribbin was nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as general counsel for the USDOT, where he twice won the Secretary’s gold medal. He also served as chief counsel for the Federal Highway Administration, where he helped the agency develop policies to accommodate benefits of alternative delivery. While at FHWA, he worked closely with local and state transportation officials, created a federal P3 task force and authored a report for Congress, underscoring the advantages of alternative delivery.

For the past two decades, Gribbin has been active with the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. He has served as its P3 Division president and as a board member. He is the only person to have won ARTBA’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for both public and private sectors.

Charles O’Reilly, PE, HDR transportation director, said:

“DJ’s focus on efficient project delivery and seamless partnerships brings incomparable value to our transportation program. DJ strengthens our ability to collaborate with clients to deliver smart strategies that consider long-term financial viability.”

Gribbin graduated in 1985 from Georgetown University with a bachelor’s in philosophy. He earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1992 and is a member of the Virginia Bar. He has lectured at several colleges and universities, most recently at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on the topic of public-private partnerships. A registered broker, Gribbin holds Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) series 7, 24, 52 and 63 licenses.