HDR names Hjelholt director of freight rail

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Bill Hjelholt joined HDR as director of freight rail. His responsibilities include developing HDR's vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion of the freight rail sector across North America and globally.

Hjelholt, who is based in the Richmond Hill, Ontario office, joined HDR from AECOM where he was senior vice-president, freight rail. While serving as vice president and director of rail, North America, Hjelholt and his team were able to more than double net revenue from fiscal years 2009 to 2013.

Hjelholt has held leadership roles on North American and international projects including project director for Côte-Nord Mining Railway Company’s 341-mile (550-km) heavy-haul iron ore railway between Quebec and Labrador. He oversaw a similar heavy-haul project in Guinea, Africa for the Simandou Railway. A significant feature of that project included the mobilization of more than 300 staff to deliver preliminary engineering for the 375-mile (600-km) iron ore line. The $4.5 billion capital expenditure project involved coordination with teams in North America, Australia and Spain.

Scott Goehri, HDR’s director of Professional Services for Transportation praised Hjelholt’s proven leadership abilities and more than 20 years of experience building relationships with Class 1 and shortline railroads.

“HDR’s freight rail program was founded on delivering core engineering services within North America,” Goehri said. “Bill’s experience, relationships, style and collaborative approach support our vision of continued focus on our clients and growth within our existing client base and new horizons worldwide.”

“The freight rail industry is very exciting,” Hjelholt said. “It is a sustainable business that needs to grow, not just for business reasons, but to help solve logistical problems that hold back the economy and globally impact quality of life.”

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