AECOM Inducts New Fellows, Honoring Industry Luminaries for Technical Leadership and Global Impact
AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced the 2025 inductees into its prestigious AECOM Fellows Program: John Bleiler, Global Remediation Practice Lead, and Steve Woodrow, Global Tunneling Practice Lead. The program recognizes AECOM’s most accomplished technical experts whose work exemplifies excellence, innovation, and thought leadership in advancing the company’s mission to deliver a better world through sustainable infrastructure.
The AECOM Fellows Program stands as one of the firm’s highest honors, celebrating individuals whose technical mastery and vision shape not only AECOM’s global operations but also influence the broader infrastructure and engineering industry. Fellows are selected for their outstanding contributions, leadership in their respective disciplines, and commitment to mentoring and developing the next generation of technical talent.
Celebrating Excellence in Technical Leadership
John Bleiler: Global Remediation Practice Lead
With more than 35 years of experience in environmental remediation, contaminated sediment management, and natural resource restoration, John Bleiler has established himself as a global leader in environmental science and sustainable solutions. His technical expertise has guided some of the world’s most complex and sensitive remediation projects, spanning multiple continents and ecosystems.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bleiler has championed innovative remediation strategies that have delivered cost savings exceeding $250 million for clients while achieving measurable environmental and community benefits. His deep understanding of ecosystem dynamics and risk-based management has led to solutions that balance environmental stewardship with economic feasibility.
Mr. Bleiler’s work has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading industry conferences, influencing both policy and practice in contaminated site management. His insights into sediment remediation, natural resource damage assessment, and sustainability-driven restoration have become benchmarks for industry best practices.
At AECOM, Mr. Bleiler has played an integral role in expanding the company’s environmental services portfolio and strengthening its reputation as a leader in remediation science. His dedication to mentoring young professionals and sharing knowledge across disciplines has helped elevate technical excellence across AECOM’s global teams.
“John’s impact extends far beyond the projects he has delivered,” said Lara Poloni, AECOM’s President. “His leadership in remediation and natural resource management continues to shape how we address environmental challenges today. He embodies the spirit of innovation and purpose that defines our company.”
Steve Woodrow: Global Tunneling Practice Lead
A veteran of more than three decades with AECOM and its legacy companies, Steve Woodrow has been a driving force in the advancement of tunneling engineering and underground construction worldwide. His portfolio encompasses more than 50 major tunneling projects across four continents, including complex urban transit systems, large-scale water infrastructure, and energy-related tunnels.
Mr. Woodrow is recognized as a global authority in tunneling, renowned for his ability to blend innovation with constructability. His technical leadership has advanced the design and delivery of safe, efficient, and sustainable tunnels that serve as the backbone of modern infrastructure systems.
Among his many contributions, Mr. Woodrow has pioneered constructible and efficient design methodologies that prioritize safety, quality, and lifecycle performance. His approach integrates cutting-edge modeling, risk management, and engineering insights to deliver solutions that optimize cost, time, and environmental impact.
His influence extends beyond project execution. Through mentoring, technical publications, and participation in international engineering associations, Mr. Woodrow has helped raise industry standards and foster collaboration between designers, contractors, and clients.
“Steve’s career is a testament to how technical excellence can transform communities and shape the infrastructure that sustains them,” said Troy Rudd, AECOM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “He has set new benchmarks for what is possible in tunneling design and construction, and we are proud to recognize him as an AECOM Fellow.”
Championing Innovation, Mentorship, and Collaboration
Through the AECOM Fellows Program, the company underscores its long-standing commitment to nurturing a culture of technical excellence (TechEx). Each Fellow serves as a technical ambassador, fostering knowledge exchange, mentoring emerging leaders, and driving innovation across disciplines and geographies.
As newly appointed Fellows, Mr. Bleiler and Mr. Woodrow will play a pivotal role in advancing AECOM’s TechEx initiative—a global program designed to elevate the company’s technical standards, integrate new technologies, and enhance collaboration between its diverse teams of engineers, scientists, planners, and architects.
The Fellows will contribute to strategic technical reviews, lead thought leadership initiatives, and help ensure that AECOM continues to deliver the highest-quality outcomes for clients around the world. By leveraging their combined expertise, they will help bridge emerging technologies with proven engineering practices, enabling smarter, more resilient infrastructure solutions.
“The Fellows Program reflects AECOM’s belief that technical leadership and innovation go hand in hand,” said Poloni. “Welcoming Steve and John into this esteemed group is a celebration of their decades-long impact. Their work continues to inspire our teams to think boldly, act sustainably, and deliver meaningful results for communities everywhere.”
Building on a Legacy of Technical Excellence
Since its inception, the AECOM Fellows Program has recognized individuals whose thought leadership has redefined the boundaries of engineering, architecture, and environmental science. Previous inductees include:
- Dr. Rosa Gwinn, Global PFAS Technical Lead, known for advancing global PFAS detection and remediation methodologies.
- Ken Butler, P.E., Global Head of Complex Structures, a leading authority in high-rise and long-span structural design.
- Bill Hanway, Global Sports and Social Infrastructure Lead, responsible for delivering iconic projects such as Olympic venues and urban regeneration programs.
- Marc Colella, Global Buildings and Systems Engineering Lead, who has advanced integrated building systems and sustainable design practices.
- Dr. Robert “Bob” Edelstein, a pioneer in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), whose work transformed mobility and traffic management.
- Professor John Endicott, an influential figure in geotechnical and tunneling engineering, known for his academic and practical contributions.
- Ant Wilson MBE FREng, an expert in sustainable building engineering, whose work has informed global standards for energy efficiency and green construction.
Each of these Fellows has contributed to AECOM’s reputation as a destination for top-tier talent and a leader in technical innovation. The addition of Mr. Bleiler and Mr. Woodrow continues this proud tradition of recognizing individuals who push the frontiers of what’s possible in the built and natural environment.
A Commitment to the Future of Infrastructure
As global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity reshape the infrastructure landscape, AECOM continues to prioritize technical innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. The AECOM Fellows Program aligns with the company’s broader mission to integrate resilience, equity, and digital transformation into every project it delivers.
“Through the AECOM Fellows Program, we celebrate how exceptional technical leaders can elevate not only our company but our entire industry,” said Rudd. “John and Steve exemplify the ingenuity and technical excellence that define AECOM and strengthen our position as the trusted partner for solving the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges.”
Under their guidance, AECOM aims to further enhance its ability to deliver sustainable, data-driven, and community-centered solutions that improve quality of life worldwide. The recognition of these two professionals reaffirms AECOM’s role as a global leader in technical excellence and its dedication to shaping the infrastructure of the future.
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