WSP Announces New Global and U.S. Appointments for its Property and Buildings Practice

David Cooper

WSP, a global engineering and professional services consultancy announces a change in the leadership of its U.S. property and buildings practice, effective January 2018.

Following a successful tenure leading the U.S. property and buildings business for the past 10 years, David Cooper will be taking on a new global role, as president of global property and buildings. In this capacity, he will work closely with U.K.-based Tom Smith, global head of property and buildings, helping to drive an agenda of design excellence and innovation across the practice. Mr. Cooper will also work to enhance the service and support provided to U.S.-based buildings clients which WSP works with around the world.

            “We are proud of our high-performance culture, commitment to sustainable design and reputation for delivering innovative solutions for complex challenges across our property and buildings practice worldwide,” Mr. Smith said.  “We appreciate David’s contributions to the U.S. market and look forward to his efforts to grow our global practice, including an enhanced strategic focus on key global clients from the United States.”

Two current members of the U.S. property and buildings’ leadership team, Rick Rome and Jeff Smilow, will step up to direct operations and continue to build on WSP’s leadership position in the market. Rick Rome is appointed managing director property and buildings – systems, and Jeff Smilow, is named managing director property and buildings – structures.

WSP USA CEO and president Gregory A. Kelly stated, “With the executive appointments of Rick and Jeff, we look forward to continuing to build upon WSP’s stellar reputation and exemplary service to our property and buildings clients.”

Rick Rome (L) and Jeff Smilow (R)

Mr. Rome and Mr. Smilow, each with over 30 years of experience in consulting engineering and management, will drive the day-to-day operations for the U.S. property and buildings systems and structures service lines. Mr. Rome has led project design for medical complexes and other building systems worldwide. Mr. Smilow’s experience in structural engineering includes an extensive background in the design and renovation of a variety of steel and concrete structures.

WSP USA’s property and buildings practice will continue to build upon its portfolio of groundbreaking projects across the U.S. and internationally, including: One World Trade Center and 432 Park Avenue in New York; Amazon Headquarters in Seattle; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta; Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin; Salesforce Tower and Transit Center in San Francisco; the Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid Tower in Abu Dhabi; and more.

ABOUT WSP

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, WSP provides technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the property & buildings, transportation & infrastructure, environment, industry, resources (including mining and oil & gas) and power & energy sectors. The firm also offers highly specialized services in project delivery and strategic consulting. WSP experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 42,000 talented people in more than 500 offices across 40 countries, WSP is uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects. www.wsp.com