Nationally recognized leader brings three decades of experience in delivering innovative solutions to advance mobility
Columbus, OH (June 14, 2024) – Joanna M. Pinkerton has joined HNTB as a national practice consultant and senior vice president, supporting efforts to deliver digital infrastructure solutions to the firm’s clients. In this role, Pinkerton will serve as a subject matter expert to clients who are advancing programs focused on digital transformation of public infrastructure, including integration of artificial intelligence, use of advanced analytics and how technology can be deployed to serve communities more efficiently.
“Joanna’s understanding of the pace of change within the transportation industry due to the rapidly evolving landscape around technology and innovation, and how agencies are addressing that change will provide invaluable insights to our clients,” said Mike Inabinet, HNTB Central U.S. President. “Her expertise as a transportation agency executive, along with her leadership in ITS America and the Transportation Research Center in Ohio will help us continue exceeding our client’s expectations through the delivery of customized digital infrastructure solutions that expand and enhance mobility in our local communities.”
Prior to joining HNTB, Pinkerton served as the president and chief executive officer of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) where she led a strategic planning process that resulted in an initiative to invest in a multibillion-dollar program to advance rapid transit corridors, add high-speed data networks in addition to road and highway improvements. During her time at COTA, the agency also launched one of the nation’s first public mobility-on-demand systems in addition to launching and testing of on-demand technology for high-capacity transit lines.
Prior to that, Pinkerton served as Chief Operations Officer at Transportation Research Center, Inc., the largest independent automotive providing ground and vehicle development and testing center in the Americas. She remains active with Transportation Research Inc., currently serving as vice-chair of its board of directors.
Pinkerton is active in the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA), currently serving as chair of ITSA’s board of directors. She also is a committee member for both ITS America’s automated vehicles and emerging technologies standing committees. Pinkerton was named as one of the Women Who Move the Nation in 2023 by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio Northern University and is a professionally licensed engineer in the State of Ohio.