Sylvia I. Garcia, Former Chicago Transit Authority COO, Joins WSP USA

Garcia brings 15 years of federal and local government experience to lead firm’s growing public finance policy business.

CHICAGO —WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, is pleased to announce that today, Sylvia I. Garcia has joined the firm as principal consultant for public finance policy.

In her new role, Garcia will lead the development and delivery of the firm’s public finance policy business, collaborating with municipal, state and federal clients to craft innovative financial, operational and strategic management consulting services. Based in the firm’s Chicago office, she will collaborate with transportation and infrastructure clients, including transit, rail, highway, toll and multimodal agencies.

“Sylvia is a superb professional and a dynamic transportation industry leader,” said John Porcari, president of advisory services at WSP USA. “She excels at strategic problem solving and managing high-pressure situations, and her extensive experience at both the regional and national level will help transportation clients achieve optimal efficiency and inspire quality innovation.”

Garcia most recently served as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), managing the day-to-day operations for the nation’s second-largest transit agency, with a $1.5 billion annual operating budget and $5 billion capital plan. Her team was responsible for operations, maintenance, capital construction, strategic planning, human resources, procurement, technology, finance, law, communications and government relations.

Prior to CTA, Garcia served as chief financial officer and assistant secretary for budget at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), where she managed the federal agency’s $70 billion operating budget, executed 25 infrastructure loans for $11.5 billion, and served as chief liaison to the U.S. House and Senate on appropriations matters. She previously served as professional staff for the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Garcia graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in social science, and DePaul University with a master’s degree in public service management. She recently served as the transportation and infrastructure policy lead for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transition team and will continue to serve as a Commissioner on the City of Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals.

About WSP USA

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 9,500 employees in 150 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com