CHICAGO — WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services firm, signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) pledge on Friday as a commitment to improving diversity in public contracting.
Joe Sczurko, WSP’s U.S. region president, attended the event with John Trotta, senior vice president and Midwest regional executive; and Tanya Adams, senior vice president of inclusion and diversity at WSP.
“It was important for us to make the commitment to sign the EIP pledge,” Sczurko said at the event. “I believe EIP embodies community, opportunity and future. And it provides us the platform to be a leader in securing opportunities and a brighter future for many communities across the country, especially through our support of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).”
During the event held at House of Hope in Chicago, Sczurko recognized the work that is taking place to address equity on important infrastructure projects in Illinois and across the nation. He added, “creating more prime, joint venture and equity contracting opportunities for HUBs is of paramount importance to the project.”
Key participants at the signing included Phillip Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport and chair and co-founder of EIP; John Porcari, former U.S. deputy transportation secretary; Dorval Carter, Jr., president of the Chicago Transit Authority and vice chair of EIP; Rev. James Meeks, pastor emeritus of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and president and CEO of the Hope Foundation; and David Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.
In 2022, WSP established its Equity Center of Excellence with the goal of driving the transformation of American transit and mobility to full and equitable access for undeserved, marginalized and disinvested communities.
“The impactful work that is being led by WSP’s Equity Center of Excellence aims to ensure that every project achieves a high standard of accessibility, as equity has become a defining measure of progress for the transportation industry,” Sczurko said.
In Illinois, WSP has long supported equitable contracting and employment opportunities for small and minority business owners. The firm is the general engineering consultant for the Illinois Tollway, and in this role oversees 50.5 percent minority and women partners holding significant leadership roles.
WSP also is part of a joint venture team on the owner’s representative contract for the Chicago Transit Authority Red Line Extension project. The team includes Infrastructure Engineering Inc., a minority-owned DBE.
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
Download press release
