Watson
HNTB’s Jeff Watson, PE, West Division president, has been awarded the prestigious Honorable Ray LaHood (Man of the Year) Award by the San Francisco chapter of WTS. The award recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing women in the transportation industry.
Based in L.A, Watson has been instrumental in driving diversity and advancing women’s roles at HNTB and across the transportation sector. He championed projects and initiatives that demonstrate HNTB’s commitment to gender equity and community engagement. He spearheaded the THINK Forum for industry leaders on equity transportation, which convened transportation leaders to advance equitable outcomes. He also established a scholarship with the Mineta Transportation Institute to enhance opportunities for underserved communities and supported women’s education and welfare initiatives through the California Transportation Foundation.
Watson has actively mentored female employees and advocated for roles that enhance engagement with minority-owned, women-owned and small business enterprises within the transportation sector. He ensured the creation of a new position to mentor and engage these enterprises, inspired by a proposal from a female employee he mentored.
Watson has been a longtime supporter of the WTS, an international organization that attracts, sustains, connects and advances women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. He has actively encouraged women at all levels within HNTB to engage with the organization. Watson has also participated in numerous fundraising efforts, raising over $150,000 for charities that support women, girls, underserved communities and transportation initiatives.
Watson leads HNTB’s West Division, which includes California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii. During his 20-year tenure at the firm, Watson has worked in multiple geographies and held various leadership positions, including his serving as office leader of the Northern California and Nevada offices.
