Water Resources Project Manager

VHB shares digital delivery Insights at DBIA New England Friday Forum. Jeff Bachiochi and Aaron Guyette discuss model-based project delivery. August 31, 2026 Two VHB team members from Vermont, Transportation Technology Lead Jeff Bachiochi, PE, and Director of Structures Aaron Guyette, recently presented at DBIA New England's Friday Forum, Technology: No More Plans? A Virtual Procurement, Part 2, a discussion focused on the rapid evolution of digital delivery and model-based project development in the transportation industry. The virtual session brought together transportation professionals from across the region to explore how agencies are advancing digital delivery initiatives and leveraging 3D models to transform the way infrastructure projects are planned, designed, delivered, and constructed. Drawing on VHB's experience supporting digital delivery efforts in Vermont, Jeff shared lessons learned from transportation agency pilot programs, including the implementation of Model as a Legal Document (MALD), and discussed how model-centric workflows are reshaping project delivery practices. Throughout the session, Jeff and Aaron highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with moving beyond traditional plan-based approaches. The conversation explored how evolving technologies can improve collaboration, enhance project understanding, and support more efficient design-build delivery while also raising important considerations around procurement, risk management, and construction practices. "Digital delivery is changing the way our industry develops and manages transportation projects," said Jeff. "It's exciting to be part of the conversation as agencies, consultants, and contractors work together to define what the future looks like." As transportation agencies continue to advance digital delivery programs, VHB remains committed to helping clients navigate emerging technologies and implement practical solutions that improve project outcomes. Industry Insights Viewpoints / Video

VHB and partners earn 2026 Preservation Award for adaptive reuse project. The project transformed historic barracks into 65 permanently affordable homes. August 05, 2026 VHB and project partners recently earned a 2026 Preservation Award for transforming three historic barracks into 65 permanently affordable homes in Colchester, Vermont. Presented by the Preservation Trust of Vermont at the Downtown & Historic Preservation Conference, the award recognizes meaningful contributions to preserving Vermont's historic architecture. Built in 1904 as part of Fort Ethan Allen, the buildings housed the 10th Cavalry - the famed all-Black U.S. Army regiment known as the "Buffalo Soldiers" - from 1909 to 1913. After the fort closed in 1960, they became St. Michael's College dormitories and later sat vacant for nearly a decade before co-developers Evernorth and Champlain Housing Trust acquired them in 2022. The 10th Cavalry Apartments redevelopment advanced amid a severe housing shortage, with Chittenden County's vacancy rate near one percent - among the nation's lowest and far below the five percent considered healthy. As housing costs rose, the project helped create new options for vulnerable households. VHB supported the redevelopment through site planning, landscape architecture, and cultural resources services, helping shape the placemaking aesthetic with architect Freeman French Freeman and coordinating closely with state and federal preservation agencies. Key project details include: * A $32-million adaptive reuse project that created 65 permanently affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments. * A $2-million environmental cleanup addressing PCBs, PAHs, lead paint, and asbestos across the 78,000-square-foot site. * A 1.5-year phased renovation led by Engelberth Construction and completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards to qualify for nearly $5 million in historic tax credit funding. * Educational displays and outdoor interpretive panels developed by VHB's Cultural Resources and Graphic Design teams to share the history of Fort Ethan Allen and the barracks. One key challenge was preserving the Colonial Revival-style buildings' pressed metal ceilings. VHB documented and cataloged the original tin, which was restored and reinstalled in common areas and replicated in apartment units. Masonry, porches, windows, slate roofs, mushroom vents, and new ADA-compliant ramps also required creative design solutions supported in part by building information modeling tools. The project also prioritized sustainability through exterior insulation, high-efficiency boilers, custom storm windows, and energy recovery units. These efforts earned a Best of the Best Award for Affordable Housing Innovation from Vermont's energy efficiency utility Efficiency Vermont. Residents began moving into the development in early 2025. Rents average about half the regional rate, with 18 Burlington Housing Authority voucher units capping rent at 30 percent of income and 15 units serving people who have experienced homelessness. State officials have praised the project, which used 18 funding sources, as a model of adaptive reuse. Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell said: "This [development] represents a tremendous example of the type of housing that we hope to see more of as we try to solve the greatest issue facing Vermont." "This high-profile project was a major accomplishment with important clients and partners, and we are proud of our award-winning work to preserve a rich piece of Vermont's history while addressing a critical housing shortage," said Britta Tonn, Vermont Director of Cultural Resources. Featured Service Industry Insights

VHB welcomes Will Hawthorne as Florida Director of Transportation Engineering. Expanding transportation leadership to help Florida communities move forward. August 03, 2026 VHB welcomes Will Hawthorne, PE, MBA, as Florida Director of Transportation Engineering, expanding and strengthening its transportation planning, engineering, and technology practices. He will oversee and grow VHB's transportation practice across Central Florida and the Gulf Coast region, strengthening client relationships, advancing business development efforts, and leading multidisciplinary teams in delivering integrated transportation solutions. In this role, Will will help drive strategic growth across Florida while fostering collaboration across disciplines and regions. Will's knowledge in transportation planning, engineering, program delivery, and strategic growth will support clients in addressing evolving mobility needs and delivering projects that enhance connectivity, safety, and economic vitality throughout the state. Will brings more than 15 years of transportation engineering, planning, and infrastructure leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as Director of Transportation Planning and Policy at the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), where he led agency planning and strategy initiatives, directed development of the agency's Master Plan and Strategic Plan, and helped align major infrastructure investments with regional growth and transportation needs. In previous leadership roles at CFX, he oversaw development and delivery of the agency's multi-billion-dollar five-year capital program, advancing transportation improvements across Central Florida's expressway system. Throughout his career, he has led high-performing teams and built strong partnerships with clients, stakeholders, and agency leaders across Florida. "I'm thrilled to have Will join VHB," said Matt Lamb, Southeast Regional Manager. "His collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of our state's transportation landscape will help us deliver exceptional value to our clients and communities." Featured Offices