Transportation Planning and Design Area Principal

Walla Walla City Council backs watershed protection, halts water system expansion plan. WALLA WALLA - Responding to heavy public opposition, the Walla Walla City Council altered its expected action Wednesday night, choosing to split and partially approve a proposed $74,144 professional services contract with Consor Engineers. Originally submitted as a single agenda item, the contract covered two distinct tasks: $46,000 to develop a watershed control program for Mill Creek and $28,000 to amend the city's water system plan. The latter amendment aimed to incorporate the proposed MC Gateway development into the city's water service area - a move that drew sharp criticism from several residents during public comments. Opponents expressed concern over potential environmental impacts, strained water supplies, and ongoing drought conditions in the basin, urging the council to reject expanding the water service boundary. Critics also raised concerns about bundling the expansion with the watershed protection measure and questioned hiring Consor Engineers given previous controversy surrounding the firm's public engagement process on a separate watershed plan. Acknowledging the public's concerns and noting that the water service expansion was not an immediate necessity, council members agreed to separate the two scopes of work. Councilmember Monte Willis moved to approve only the $46,000 portion of the contract dedicated to the state-mandated watershed control program, which passes under Resolution 2026-080. The motion passed unanimously, effectively tabling the water system plan amendment and halting the service area expansion for the MC Gateway project until further review. City officials indicated that the water system plan amendment will undergo additional public workshops and formal review before any future council consideration. MC Gateway LLC has proposed transforming 355 acres on the city's eastern edge near Highway 12 into a mixed-use development. If approved, the project will feature 670 single-family homes, a 150-room hotel, and 80,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space. The plan also includes public parks, dedicated open spaces, an integrated trail system, and related infrastructure.

MIAMI — Consor North America, Inc. (“Consor”), a leading engineering and consulting firm advancing intelligent, future-ready infrastructure across water and transp…

Rimkus establishes Chief Transformation Officer role to support firmwide growth. Rimkus establishes Chief Transformation Officer role to drive global growth. Rimkus, a globally recognized leader in engineering and technical consulting, has announced the creation of a new executive position, Chief Transformation Officer (CXO), as part of its ongoing strategy to strengthen its enterprise platform and support continued expansion across its forensic, built environment, and life sciences business segments, with the appointment of Matthew Cass marking a significant step in advancing the organization's operational capabilities and long-term growth ambitions Strategic move to strengthen enterprise capabilities. The establishment of the Chief Transformation Officer role reflects Rimkus' commitment to building a scalable and resilient organization capable of supporting its expanding global footprint while maintaining the high standards of technical excellence and client service that have defined the company for more than four decades; as the firm continues to grow across multiple industries and geographies, the need for integrated systems, streamlined processes, and enhanced operational efficiency has become increasingly critical By introducing this leadership role, Rimkus aims to ensure that its internal infrastructure evolves in parallel with its business growth, enabling the organization to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes while adapting to the complexities of a rapidly changing global market; the CXO position is designed to bridge the gap between strategy and execution, ensuring that transformation initiatives are effectively implemented across the enterprise Leadership endorsement and vision. According to Chris Rayasam, the appointment of Matthew Cass reflects the company's confidence in his ability to lead transformation efforts with both strategic insight and operational discipline; Rayasam emphasized that Cass brings a practical and thoughtful approach to change management, which will be instrumental in driving the organization forward while maintaining a strong focus on its core priorities, including its people and its clients This leadership endorsement underscores the importance of aligning transformation initiatives with the company's values and culture, ensuring that growth and innovation are achieved without compromising the relationships and trust that Rimkus has built with its stakeholders over the years Matthew Cass brings extensive transformation expertise. Matthew Cass joins Rimkus with a wealth of experience in leading large-scale transformation and integration initiatives across complex organizations, having most recently held a senior leadership position at Consor, where he was responsible for driving enterprise transformation efforts aimed at improving operational efficiency and organizational performance Prior to his role at Consor, Cass served in senior operational leadership positions at WSP, where he oversaw regional operations, systems, and financial performance, gaining valuable experience in managing large teams and implementing strategic initiatives across diverse business units; this background equips him with the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of Rimkus' global operations and deliver meaningful improvements across the organization Driving strategy execution and operational excellence. In his role as Chief Transformation Officer, Cass will focus on translating strategic objectives into actionable initiatives that enhance the company's operational framework, with responsibilities that include strengthening information technology systems, overseeing the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, and driving process improvements that enhance financial visibility and operational consistency By optimizing these critical areas, Cass aims to create a more efficient and transparent operating environment that supports better decision-making and enables teams to deliver higher-quality outcomes for clients; his efforts will also contribute to improving overall organizational performance by ensuring that resources are effectively allocated and processes are aligned with business goals Advancing technology integration and innovation. A key aspect of Cass's mandate involves modernizing Rimkus' internal tools and workflows through the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, which can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and support more efficient project delivery; by integrating these technologies into the company's processes, Rimkus aims to stay at the forefront of innovation while maintaining its commitment to technical excellence Cass will work closely with leaders across the organization to identify opportunities for leveraging technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that the company's workforce is equipped with the tools and capabilities needed to meet the evolving demands of clients and industries Supporting growth through integration and scalability. As Rimkus continues to expand through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the integration of new teams and capabilities becomes a critical component of its success; Cass will play a central role in ensuring that newly acquired businesses are seamlessly integrated into the organization, aligning systems, processes, and cultures to create a cohesive and unified enterprise This focus on integration is essential for maintaining consistency and quality across the organization while enabling it to scale effectively and capitalize on new opportunities in the market; by establishing standardized processes and frameworks, Rimkus can ensure that its growth is sustainable and aligned with its long-term strategic objectives Enhancing client value and operational efficiency. Matthew Cass has emphasized that his primary focus is on strengthening the operational foundation that supports Rimkus' technical expertise, enabling teams to spend less time navigating complex systems and more time delivering high-quality outcomes for clients; this approach reflects a broader commitment to enhancing client value by improving efficiency and reducing operational friction By streamlining processes and optimizing workflows, Rimkus aims to create a more agile and responsive organization that can adapt quickly to client needs and deliver solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability A long-term commitment to transformation. The creation of the Chief Transformation Officer role represents a long-term investment in the future of Rimkus, demonstrating the company's commitment to continuous improvement and its recognition of the importance of transformation in achieving sustainable growth; as the business landscape continues to evolve, organizations must adapt to new challenges and opportunities, and Rimkus is positioning itself to do so proactively This strategic initiative ensures that the company remains well-equipped to navigate the complexities of global operations while maintaining its reputation as a trusted advisor and industry leader Rimkus' legacy in engineering and consulting excellence. With more than 40 years of experience, Rimkus has established itself as a leading provider of engineering and technical consulting services, offering expertise in areas such as forensic consulting, dispute resolution, human factors engineering, and product development support; the company serves clients across a wide range of industries, including life sciences, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare Operating from more than 100 offices worldwide and supported by a team of over 1,500 professionals, Rimkus combines technical depth with a commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring that it delivers solutions that meet the complex needs of its global client base Positioning for future growth and innovation. As Rimkus continues to expand its presence in key markets and industries, the appointment of Matthew Cass as Chief Transformation Officer positions the company to enhance its operational capabilities and drive innovation across its business lines; by focusing on technology, process improvement, and organizational integration, the company is building a strong foundation for future growth This forward-looking approach ensures that Rimkus can continue to deliver value to its clients while adapting to the changing demands of the global market, reinforcing its role as a leader in engineering and technical consulting and setting the stage for continued success in the years ahead