Derr Earns ARTBA Leadership Impact Award
Gannett Fleming Executive Receives Prestigious Honor from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)
ARTBA recognized Executive Vice President and Roadway Corporate Business Group (CBG) John Derr, PE, with the prestigious Leadership Impact Award. This accolade celebrates Derr’s substantial contributions to the transportation industry and his unwavering dedication to improving infrastructure across North America.
The Leadership Impact Awards, introduced by the ARTBA Foundation’s Industry Leader Development Program (ILDP), recognize those who have made significant strides in transportation design and construction, funding, safety, and innovation. Award recipients are honored for their visionary leadership, problem-solving capabilities, and dedication to mentoring and promoting diversity. Based in Washington, D.C., ARTBA advocates for infrastructure investment and policy for the transportation construction industry.
An esteemed executive in the transportation engineering industry, Derr’s career spans nearly four decades and is marked by a series of progressive leadership roles and remarkable achievements since joining Gannett Fleming in 1987. After making great strides in Pennsylvania early in his career, Derr moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2007 to lead Gannett Fleming’s transportation sector before rising to west region director in 2012. In this position, he played an instrumental part in overseeing various transportation projects at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, modernizing the Caltrain passenger rail system in California’s Bay Area, and replacing the the Tempe Town Lake Dam.
His visionary thinking drives change within Gannett Fleming and significantly contributes to firm growth and operational excellence. In 2020, Gannett Fleming unified seven regional operations into one cohesive Roadway CBG, enhancing client service and performance across North America, with Derr serving as executive director. The CBG has grown to more than 600 employees under his direction.
Derr’s impact extends beyond Gannett Fleming. His leadership roles in professional societies, including the ARTBA ILDP graduating class of 2003, the ARTBA Planning & Design Division committee, and the American Society of Highway Engineers, underscore his commitment to advancing the industry. Notably, he was honored with the ARTBA Guy Kelcey Award in 2010 for outstanding service and leadership.
Beyond his professional achievements, Derr is committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders and promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. He is an ally and advocate for the Connected Women at Gannett Fleming™ employee resource group and has dedicated himself to mentoring through the Connected Relationships Mentoring Program.
The ARTBA Leadership Impact Award recognizes Derr’s professional accomplishments and profound influence on the industry. His leadership journey reflects a deep-seated dedication to excellence, innovation, and community in transportation engineering.
