Hanson’s chief innovation officer and a vice president, Kurt leads the charge in adopting and advancing emerging trends and technology. Since assuming the role of chief innovation officer in 2019, Kurt has been instrumental in employing emerging trends to help Hanson deliver forward-thinking strategies that meet evolving client needs.
His leadership extends to pioneering initiatives such as the distribution and continuous enhancement of Decision Optimization Technology (DOTTM), a sophisticated asset investment planning solution. DOTTM empowers organizations to make informed decisions at the crossroads of engineering, finance and socioeconomics while seeking a return on investments through analytic-driven planning. Under Kurt’s guidance, Hanson has developed Soil.AI and SPEED, innovative tools that use machine learning to predict site-specific soil conditions and design transmission line foundations. These tools reduce reliance on field work and traditional design methodologies by using artificial intelligence (AI) and geodatabases to enable faster schedules, flexible route planning and significant cost savings. Kurt has also initiated the development of custom AI applications to streamline internal business processes at Hanson.
IN KURT’S WORDS“I’m driven by the challenge of using strategic thinking and technology to help Hanson and our clients solve complex challenges and be more successful. At Hanson, we’re constantly exploring innovative solutions that bring value to our organization and clients by working smarter.”
Prior to being named chief innovation officer, Kurt served as a project manager and traffic engineer on transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the country. His background encompasses program management, feasibility studies, expert testimony, traffic modeling, safety studies, corridor planning, traffic signal design and roadway plans. Kurt’s varied planning and design experience includes more than $200 million in complete street projects, balancing sustainability and economic development to improve communities and create safe and efficient design solutions for all modes of transportation. Notable projects include the Peoria County smart and connected community project, the new eastbound span of the McClugage Bridge and the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement street improvements project in Champaign and Urbana, all in Illinois.
An active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Kurt was recognized as the 2012 Young Engineer of the Year and the 2019 Civil Engineer of the Year by the Central Illinois Section. He was also selected as a Rising Star in Civil Engineering by ZweigWhite’s Civil + Structural Engineer magazine in 2014 and was named one of the 40 Leaders Under Forty by InterBusiness Issues magazine. Kurt is a member of the American Public Works Association, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. As a leader in developing and implementing pioneering strategies that will serve Hanson’s clients, he regularly shares insights regarding technology and innovation at national conferences.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Bachelor’s degree, civil engineering
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