
Leadership

Shakeel
Ahmed, PE
Founder & Chief
Executive Officer

Shakeel
Ahmed, PE
Founder & Chief
Executive Officer
Shakeel Ahmed has over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry. As a former employee of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), moving from Design Manager to senior Project Manager, Shakeel has managed the development of projects from schematic to final construction documents, ranging from municipal projects to billion-dollar Design-Build projects. Shakeel leads IEA with the vision of finding cost-effective solutions for our clients projects. He is experienced in stakeholder coordination, with specific expertise in clearly explaining design concepts to help gain buy-in on his projects.

Joe Tabone, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Joe Tabone, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Tabone is a senior financial executive and Certified Public Accountant with over 38 years’ experience in all aspects of accounting, auditing, and financial management. His financial experience includes general contracting, heavy civil construction, steel erection, federal government contracting, specialty chemicals, commodity chemicals, paper, and packaging. His specialties include traditional bank financing, asset-based financing, insurance and risk management, surety bond programs, acquisitions, merger integration, early-stage startups, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), system conversions, profitability improvement, process improvement, and Six Sigma.

Jason C. Williams, C.M., MBA
Director of Operations

Jason C. Williams, C.M., MBA
Director of Operations
Jason Williams has over 30 years of extensive experience in Aviation Planning and Project Management. Jason has held key roles including Lead Community Planner for the FAA’s Louisiana and New Mexico Airports District Office, Planning Manager at DFW, and Aviation Consultant. Jason served as the Lead Community Planner for the FAA’s Louisiana and New Mexico Airports District Office, responsible for oversight of Capital and Airport Planning working directly with State DOT's and sponsors. He brings his strategic, innovative, and large-scale planning experience from DFW International Airport where he served in a variety of key management positions for over 7 years. Jason led the aviation efforts to create a new $8B, 10-year Capital Plan, that has changed the physical footprint of DFW today. Jason served in the U.S. Army Aviation branch for over 20 years, retiring from the military in 2010 and is a certified FAA Air Traffic Controller and is a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

David Speicher, PE, ENV SP
Director of Business Development

David Speicher, PE, ENV SP
Director of Business Development
David Speicher has over 33 years of experience in civil engineering, public works, and executive leadership. Licensed in Texas, he has held key positions with TxDOT, the Cities of Fort Worth and Denton, and several consulting firms, where he directed multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure initiatives. His expertise spans roadway, drainage, water, wastewater, and land development projects, complemented by public service as Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Justin, President of Region 8 for the Texas Municipal League, and military service as a U.S. Army Platoon Commander. David’s blend of engineering expertise, regulatory knowledge, and leadership ensures successful project outcomes that support both community needs and long-term resilience.

Jennifer
Nelson - Smith
Director of Marketing and Communications

Jennifer
Nelson - Smith
Director of Marketing and Communications
Jennifer Nelson-Smith has over 15 years of experience with technical reports, public involvement, coordination, communication, and marketing in multiple sectors. Her experience includes review of technical reports, marketing strategy, proposal compilation, press releases, newsletters, public announcements, communication updates, in-person and electronic coordination, public speaking, event planning, and client updates. Jennifer is currently serving on the Farmers Branch Park & Recreation Board and volunteers at local Farmers Branch events.

Diana K. Smith, MS-HRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PHR
Human Resources Manager

Diana K. Smith, MS-HRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PHR
Human Resources Manager
Diana Smith brings over 20 years of experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic and proactive HR and business solutions. She is a creative problem solver with effective communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills, and an ability to effectively partner with all levels of management and employees. Diana’s experience and background are in successfully implementing best practices and designing successful HR departments, policies, and procedures from the ground up or in high-growth organizations. She has strong skills in policy and procedures development, employee relations, benefits, employment law and compliance, payroll, recruiting, and various HR and systems implementation and administration.

Jim
Reiser, PE
Director of
Transportation

Jim
Reiser, PE
Director of
Transportation
Jim Reiser is a supervising engineer with over 35 years of experience in transportation, including project management, design, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reviews for the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), construction support, construction bid document preparation, Design-Build and alternative delivery experience. He has completed projects for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), municipalities, and the private sector. He is committed to helping clients succeed through design innovation, attention to detail, schedule adherence, and robust quality control.

Howard
Caldwell, PE
Director of Construction Services

Howard
Caldwell, PE
Director of Construction Services
Howard Caldwell is a former TxDOT Area Engineer with more than 35 years of experience leading delivery of major transportation facility programs in Texas. Howard has led project teams to achieve on-time and in budget delivery of projects valued at over $3.5B. He has provided Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) and construction management services to TxDOT, the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA), and the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA). Howard’s notable construction projects include the State Highway 87 Neches River/Veterans Memorial Bridge, Texas’ first cable-stayed bridge; the Westpark Tollway, the nation’s first all-electronic toll road; State Highway 130, Texas’ first design-build highway project; and the President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension Phase 4, NTTA’s first design-build project.

Jason
Barton
Director of
Transit / Rail

Jason
Barton
Director of
Transit / Rail
Jason Barton has 32 years of various project management, engineering, quality assurance, materials control, and logistical experience in heavy construction, including rail and roadway work. He has also worked in project public relations and has managed over 565 personnel in different aspects of construction/logistical service support. His thorough knowledge of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) engineering standards, traffic control measures/ devices and material test methods, and Department of Defense (DoD) and Federal Acquisition Regulations helps to keep projects in compliance. His business acumen and expertise in project delivery routinely result in schedule and budget savings to the client.

Brenden
Saline, PE
Director of Aviation

Brenden
Saline, PE
Director of Aviation
Brenden Saline brings more than two decades of civil engineering experience, with the last 15 years focused on aviation. His background includes leading the design and management of both airside and landside projects at some of the nation’s busiest airports—including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH), San Antonio International Airport (SAT), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Brenden has played key roles on major aviation programs, including projects with construction values reaching up to $9.5 billion. His deep understanding of FAA standards, along with international experience applying International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, gives him a well-rounded perspective to support airports of all sizes. His hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and proven ability to navigate complex aviation programs make him well-suited to lead IEA’s growing aviation team.

Joe
Rivera
Director of Digital Delivery

Joe
Rivera
Director of Digital Delivery
Joe Rivera utilizes various programs like OpenRoads, Lumen RT, and SYNCHRO to create high-quality, comprehensive work for clients to visualize projects from. His leadership combined with his 20 years of experience in roadway design allows IEA to deliver
in-depth, complex projects.

David
Millikan, PE
Austin
Area Manager

David
Millikan, PE
Austin
Area Manager
Dave Millikan has served as design engineer, project manager, program manager, and principal during his over 40 year career on a wide variety of projects throughout the State of Texas in transportation planning and design, water resources, environmental studies, and infrastructure facilities. His project delivery strengths include substantial technical knowledge for a variety of project types, excellent writing and report development skills, and performing quality control. Dave has 20 years of experience leading engineering organizations within Texas at national and regional firms. He also served public agencies throughout Texas for 7 years as Director of Local Government Projects at TxDOT. David constantly strives to achieve client satisfaction, produce quality work, and utilize the proper personnel and subconsultants to successfully meet each client’s project needs.

Kyle Moynihan, PE, CFM
Dallas
Area Manager

Kyle Moynihan, PE, CFM
Dallas
Area Manager
Kyle Moynihan has over 12 years of experience successfully leading both Municipal and Drainage projects in Cities/Towns and Counties throughout Texas. He has completed both study and design projects for TxDOT, DART, NCTCOG, FEMA, and HCFCD. Kyle and his team have the expertise to complete challenging projects including Roadway Design, Neighborhood Rehabilitation, Hike and Bike Trails, Utilities, Complex Hydraulic Modeling (1D/2D), CLOMR/LOMR Studies, Channel Improvements, Storm Sewer, Detention and Permitting. He has been involved in TSPE, served on the board of SAME Dallas Post and currently helps lead the IEA ASPIRE internship program where he enjoys helping shape future young engineers.

Carlos
Valdez, PE
El Paso
Area Manager

Carlos
Valdez, PE
El Paso
Area Manager
Carlos Valdez has over 17 years of experience in project and construction management and of heavy civil infrastructure projects. His achievements include managing construction of some of the largest construction projects in the state of Texas for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and other agencies. He has also worked as a Transportation Engineer for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Carlos has extensive knowledge of all aspects of construction management, including: design-build, independent engineering (IE), tolls audit, quality assurance and acceptance, partnering, materials testing, construction monitoring for verification, change orders, CPM schedule review, constructability review, document control and developing, signing and sealing design plans.

Bryan
Alldredge, PE
Fort Worth
Area Manager

Bryan
Alldredge, PE
Fort Worth
Area Manager
Bryan Alldredge is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 17 years of experience on transportation projects including Feasibility Studies and detailed Plans Specifications & Estimates. He has provided successful design services for both traditional and alternative delivery methods for a variety of clients including TxDOT, DART, DFW Airport, NTTA, CTRMA, and various municipalities. Bryan believes in facilitating a collaborative environment from clients to designers and teaming partners to providing high-quality, cost-efficient projects. Bryan is an active member of ACEC Tarrant County Chapter and is committed to helping his clients succeed in providing the infrastructure that is needed for the future of Texas.

Wilson
Wong, PE
Houston
Area Manager

Wilson
Wong, PE
Houston
Area Manager
Wilson Wong has over 27 years of experience in project management and structural and bridge engineering, and has provided design services for TxDOT, toll road authorities, local municipalities, and private sector clients. Wilson’s design experience encompasses major freeway direct connector design, urban and rural overpass and creek crossings, bridge geometrics, feasibility studies, MSE/cast-in-place/drilled shaft/steel sheet piling retaining wall designs, tolling facilities and drainage structures.
