ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN) today announced the appointment of acclaimed veteran infrastructure expert John Rinard as Chief Executive Officer of the newly minted division, Willdan Infrastructure, an outgrowth of Willdan's venerable half-century of technical excellence, cost-effectiveness, and client responsiveness. Drawing from Willdan's 500+ professionals and complementing its highly regarded engineering and project management service groups, Willdan Infrastructure seeks to expand Willdan's reach into projects across the infrastructure spectrum including transportation, ports and freight mobility, water, mining, and heavy civil.
"The industry is changing. And companies of our size possess greater flexibility; we're much more nimble in everything from project delivery to local sensitivities," explains Rinard. "Thomas Jefferson said, ‘In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.' And that pretty much describes our philosophy. We're big enough to have global expertise and capability and small enough to be nimble and responsive. Our size and expertise provides the best of all worlds."
Rinard knows of what he speaks. He possesses a dynamic history of helming complex, notable projects including the Alameda Transportation Corridor and Southern California Regional Rail Authority's Metrolink system. His U.S. successes led to international prominence on five continents in roles such as Chief Operating Officer/Programs Director for the $65 billion Libya Housing and Infrastructure Program and the $7 billion West Pilbara mining project in Australia.
"Building on Willdan's superb record, I look to use my history in international large project experience and project delivery to realize significant infrastructure projects here at home. We look to take global experience and combine it with U.S. know-how. But this is not about perfection or volume. This is about excellence. We're looking to build relationships over time and to become a virtual advocate for the public sector through the infrastructure we help them create."
Headquartered in Anaheim, Willdan Infrastructure seeks to take advantage of its strength in the Western U.S., particularly through Willdan's 16 offices throughout California. Willdan Infrastructure also benefits from the firm's established relationships and track record for delivering projects on time and on budget, and looks to use that expertise for essential transportation programs and projects.
