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Wayne Kittelson started Kittelson & Associates, Inc. in 1985 as a one-person sole proprietorship providing transportation engineering services to both public and private sector clients throughout the Portland metropolitan area. As others joined the company, they worked together to create an environment where transportation experts could collaborate through meaningful work, improve their communities, and grow as individuals.

鈥淭ransportation engineering is a very fulfilling career because it touches every person and institution and offers the opportunity to positively affect people from all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds,鈥� Kittelson said.

The company now consists of a diverse, interconnected group of 250 people from 19 different countries working in 26 offices across the United States. Its services have broadened to include traffic engineering, transit, short- and long-range planning, safety, and final roadway design.

In addition, the firm grew into a leader in transportation research that impacts policy in Oregon and across the country. Most recently, the firm developed the Blueprint for Urban Design for the Oregon Department of Transportation, Metro鈥檚 Livable Streets and Trails Guide, and ODOT鈥檚 Transportation System Plan Guidelines.
Several of its team members have served in leadership roles and led presentations for the Transportation Research Board, Women鈥檚 Transportation Seminar and other national organizations.

Kittelson also wanted the company to be a place where the employees determined the growth rather than leadership. He served as CEO until 2010, when he stepped aside to serve as president of the Kittelson Charitable Foundation. He also works out of the Portland office as a senior principal engineer.

Mark Vandehey, who joined the firm in 1987, was chosen to succeed Kittelson as CEO and led the firm through an economic recession that marked the most difficult period in the company鈥檚 history. Despite that, the firm expanded from 10 offices to 26 offices nationwide between 2010 and 2020 under his leadership.

On Jan. 1, Brandon Nevers succeeded Vandehey as CEO as he marked his 24th year with the company. He transitioned to the COO role last year as Kittelson & Associates launched its firmwide Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative to increase diversity and gender equity within the engineering profession.

鈥淜ittelson is a learning organization,鈥� Nevers said. 鈥淚t is the job of the CEO to set a vision and course to grow staff and allow future generations to rise up and lead the firm into the future.鈥�

Many of the firm鈥檚 members serve as mentors in their communities, and Kittelson & Associates hosts an annual Intern Jamboree in which about a dozen college students from its offices across the country spend a week in Portland to interact with transportation professionals inside and outside the firm. The interns also have the opportunity to experience presentations, leadership panels, bike and walking tours of the city, and other activities.