Paul Wheeler to Direct Aerial Innovation at WSP USA
Wheeler arrives at WSP from the Utah Department of Transportation as an internationally recognized expert in unmanned aerial systems and advanced aerial mobility programs.
SALT LAKE CITY — Paul Wheeler, a leading expert in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and advanced aerial mobility (AAM), has joined WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, as director and service area leader for aerial innovation.
Wheeler brings more than 23 years of experience in aviation and highway transportation to his new role as a principal consultant within the research and innovation solutions business of WSP Advisory Services. Prior to joining WSP, Wheeler was UAS program manager for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). He will work in the firm’s Salt Lake City office.
“Paul was recognized by the Commercial UAV Expo and InterDrone as one of the top drone visionaries in the world,” said Jagannath Mallela, leader of research innovations and solutions at WSP. “He has few peers with his level of expertise and vision in the application of drone technology to transportation and infrastructure. We are honored and thrilled to have him join the WSP team.”
In his new role at WSP, Wheeler will draw upon his experiences at UDOT and in the private sector to engage with the firm’s public and private sector clients to negotiate and maximize the beneficial impacts of the transformative UAS technology in the way enterprises bring efficiency to their operations and move cargo and people in various operational settings.
While at UDOT, he served as a technology advancement specialist, researching and advancing innovative technologies at UDOT, including the implementation of model-based design and construction in line with modern digital delivery processes consistent with building information modeling (BIM) initiatives. He also created and managed UDOT’s survey standards committee.
Wheeler is also an internationally recognized speaker and innovator for UAS technologies. While at UDOT he served on multiple national committees to foster innovation through the use of drone technology.
He is a 3D visualization expert and served on the Transportation Research Board (TRB) visualization committee. Wheeler serves on multiple national UAS and urban air mobility (UAM) committees, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team, the National Association of State Aviation Officials UAS committee, the National Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Ecosystem Working Group, and NASA’s Technical and UAM Noise Working Group.
Wheeler is a graduate of the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in film studies and an instrument-rated private pilot.
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 10,000 employees in 170 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
