HOUSTON, TEXAS — Tanya Adams, senior vice president of inclusion and diversity at WSP, a leading engineering and professional services firm, was reelected chair of the National Board of Directors for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).
Adams is serving her second consecutive term as chair, which runs through July 2026.
“COMTO is well positioned with a board that represents the diverse sectors of transportation we serve,” said April Rai, COMTO’s president and CEO. “Under the leadership of Tanya Adams, COMTO has seen substantial growth and an elevated presence throughout the industry.”
The COMTO National Board of Directors works with industry professionals on a national level to develop and enforce strategic plans for the organization. Its mission is “to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified MWDBEs [minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises] through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.”
“I’m honored and humbled by the confidence shown in me by my fellow COMTO board members and the organization’s leadership,” said Adams, who is based in WSP’s Chicago office. “My mission is the same as COMTO’s, to level the playing field for everyone in transportation and I’m excited to continue advocating and advancing the important work COMTO does to achieve that goal.”
Adams’ election at COMTO’s annual meeting in Houston July 9-12 punctuated an industry event that reinforced WSP’s broad and ongoing commitment to COMTO and equity in transportation.
COMTO awarded WSP’s Ruben Landa, for example, its 2024 Excellence of Service Award for six years of service as National Board Member at Large. Landa is WSP’s Texas business leader for the communication and public involvement practice in the Dallas office. He was also recognized with the COMTO Chair's Award of Excellence, recognizing his more than two decades of involvement with the organization.
Jannet Walker-Ford, WSP’s Advisory and Planning business line executive, gave remarks about the role of diversity in innovation to kick off the event’s CEO Summit. WSP also provided $25,000 in funding for COMTO scholarships announced at the meeting to support students around the country exploring transportation careers.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion power WSP’s success,” said Joe Sczurko, WSP’s U.S. region president. “When the talents of many people from different backgrounds come together to tackle difficult infrastructure challenges, we deliver better solutions for our clients and the communities they serve. Thank you, Tanya, Ruben and all of WSP’s COMTO members across the country, for all you do for the success of COMTO and the opportunities it creates across the industry.”
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized in 2023 on TIME’s list of the world’s best companies and Fortune’s Change the World list, WSP is driving social impact and commitment to ESG. WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 14,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. Wsp.com
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Above, pictured at the annual COMTO meeting from WSP are (from left to right) Jason Lawson, Ed Tatum, Tasha Steiner, Chris Ferguson, Shawn Wilson, Tyler Jones, Janner Walker-Ford, Bill Keyes, Aida Berry, Jeff Parker, Gabi Brazzil, April Rai (COMTO president and CEO), David Nyarko, Tanya Adams and Ruben Landa.
