Doug Thiessen joins HDR as West Region Maritime Lead

Doug Thiessen, P.E., D.PE., has joined HDR as the West Region maritime lead.

Based in Long Beach, California, Thiessen will focus on expanding our ports and maritime capabilities as well as deepening client relationships in a region spanning the western United States from California, Oregon and Washington to Alaska and Hawaii. He will support local leadership in identifying strategic project opportunities as well as recruiting and developing talented maritime professionals.

“I am excited to welcome Doug to the HDR team,” said HDR Ports & Maritime Director Jeff Massengill. “As our clients transition to automated facilities, implement new safety and security measures and deal with the challenges of today, Doug will collaborate with our teams and clients to implement innovative and resilient infrastructure to support ports throughout the West.”

With 37 years of experience, Thiessen has wide-ranging expertise in planning, design and support of port development projects. As a design engineer, program manager, former port director, and port managing director, he has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams to complete development or re-development of several multi-phase and complex projects. He also brings firsthand experience working with port leadership, having started his career at the Port of Los Angeles and later serving as chief engineer at the Port of Long Beach. 

“The maritime industry faces numerous challenges — aging port infrastructure and facilities, implementing automation and zero emissions technology, transitioning cargo away from trucks into rail cars, and identifying funding sources to support it all,” Thiessen said. “Much of my focus and energy will be spent working with clients and high-performing HDR teams to accomplish their goals.”

Bringing a holistic understanding of port- and land-side operations, Thiessen has led complex programs, such as modernizing two aging terminals with updated automated systems in the $1.4 billion POLB Middle Harbor Container Terminal Development project as well as the $1.5 billion design-build Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Program in Long Beach.

“Doug’s experience working at two of the largest ports in the U.S. as well as his private sector experience give him a well-rounded perspective as well as proven experience on how to solve the challenges our clients are facing,” said West Region Transportation Director Sam Tso. “His insights with port operations and priorities make him an invaluable partner and collaborator for our clients and teams alike as they deal with medium and large projects as well as new developments in technology and multimodal innovations.”