Civil Engineering IPAC

Civil

As a Project Engineer in VHB’s Structures Group, Brian leverages a strong background in structural engineering to deliver innovative and resilient design solutions for bridges, buildings, and other civil infrastructure projects. With expertise in both steel and concrete structures, Brian collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects meet technical, safety, and regulatory standards. He is skilled in structural analysis, design software, and construction oversight, contributing to the successful completion of transportation and land development initiatives throughout the region. Brian is a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology (2018) and the University of Massachusetts Lowell (2020), is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), and is committed to sustainable, client-focused project delivery.

Farhad Ali is a geotechnical engineer at GeoEngineers, where he investigates and interprets the behavior of soil beneath proposed and existing structures. Since joining GeoEngineers, he has contributed to a wide range of geotechnical evaluations for multi-phase developments, multi-family housing, large-scale industrial, and utility infrastructure projects throughout Massachusetts. His expertise includes subsurface investigation, determining soil strength parameter, ground improvement design, as well as geotechnical analyses such as settlement calculations, global stability, and liquefaction assessments.

Farhad’s fascination with soil began during his undergraduate studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where a soil mechanics class sparked his passion for geotechnical engineering and led him to pursue graduate studies in the field. Today, he enjoys the challenge and creativity of solving complex subsurface problems and ensuring that designs are grounded—literally and figuratively—in solid science.

“The variety of assignments and the involvement in significant projects in Boston and beyond is very exciting,” Farhad says. “I am never bored, and it’s thrilling to be part of the ever-changing and improving infrastructure around us.”
 

Clay Harman, PE is a forensic engineer with RDH Building Science in Boston, specializing in the repair of historic and existing buildings, parking garages, and other structures. Clay’s forensic approach identifies root causes of deficiencies and uses engineering best practices to design durable, efficient repair solutions. Clay also has experience with the evaluation and repair of building enclosures for air and water infiltration. As an adjunct professor with Wentworth, Clay has taught several courses including statics, prestressed concrete design, and an existing building engineering course based on his day to day role.

Matt has 8 years of design experience at AECOM on a varying level of transportation projects. He has valuable experience working with a variety of clientele including MBTA, MassDOT, Massport, municipalities, and private entities. His design expertise is related to complete streets, site planning, and transit station layout. Over the last 4 years Matt has begun to manage teams of engineers and take on project management roles. His specialty is team building, communication, and problem solving. Matt enjoys working closely with clients and contractors alike to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and on budget. In addition to being a licensed professional engineer, Matt has been a certified Envision Specialist for over 4 years and brings a holistic perspective towards all project design and management tasks.

Since his 2017 graduation from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Matt has routinely been involved in the co-op/hiring process at AECOM for Massachusetts offices. AECOM frequently has a presence at all WIT career events and Matt has personally taken part in many career fairs, resume reviews, and hiring of Wentworth Co-ops and full-time hires.

Civil

Civil

Matthew Sylvia, PE, ENV SP is a Project Engineer at Tighe & Bond with over six years of experience specializing in civil and transportation design. His expertise includes roadway design, complete streets, bus infrastructure, and utility coordination, with a strong focus on creating safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation systems. His work encompasses all phases of design and construction, from geometric and drainage design to field engineering and construction administration across Massachusetts.  

Matthew is a licensed Professional Engineer in Massachusetts who holds a Master of Science in Project Management from Lasell University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (2019) from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He is also a Certified Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and an active member of several professional civil engineering organizations. 

Tyler Cosma, P.E. is a Civil Engineer at Stantec working on regional water infrastructure projects for both small municipalities and large utility owners. His responsibilities consist of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, conceptual and preliminary design, design document development, and providing engineering services during construction. His role at Stantec includes leading their northeast region's Developing Professionals Group – an internal network of staff focused on career growth and early leadership opportunities. Tyler is committed to community outreach and inspiring underrepresented groups to pursue careers in the sciences— since 2021 he’s led STEM outreach events at the Boston office with local non-profit, Apprentice Learning, and arranged for girls from Boston public schools to come to the office to learn about careers in engineering and architecture. 

Cody Gibb is a Senior Geostructural Engineer within J.D. Hair & Associates, Inc, a subsidiary within the Michels family of companies. He possesses 10.5 years of experience focused on the areas of: design, construction, construction management, and quality control/quality assurance for heavy civil and geotechnical and structural construction projects including dams, levees, public and private infrastructure, residential, commercial, and public buildings. Mr. Gibb’s technical expertise, developed through his career as a geotechnical engineer and owner’s project manager, extends across the spectrum of design and construction, encompassing site subsurface exploration and field and laboratory testing programs, design of shallow and deep foundations, temporary and permanent support of excavation, instrumentation and monitoring, forensics, litigation support, site-specific seismic response, geotechnical earthquake engineering, seepage and slope stability, reinforced concrete structures, anchored and cantilever retaining structures, rock anchors, underpinning, soil nail walls, dam inspections, construction observation and administration, and development of technical reports, contracts, proposals, plans, and specifications.  

As an owner’s project manager, he was involved from start of design through project closeout across the public and private infrastructure, education, and public safety sectors.

Mr. Gibb is affiliated with multiple professional organizations including Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), ASCE, BSCES, Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), and Post Tensioning Institute (PTI). He is currently a member of the DC-35 Prestressed Rock and Soil Anchor Committee for PTI, ASCE Temporary Works Committee, and holds one of the three Director-at-Large positions within the EERI New England Chapter.  

Michael Tortora is a Project Manager at Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), specializing in civil engineering and land development projects across New England. His portfolio includes a diverse range of developments, from single-family residential communities to urban mixed-use projects and large-scale industrial facilities.

As the AutoCAD Lead for the New England offices, he oversees development and implementation of company drafting standards and provides training in advanced design software to enhance team efficiency and quality.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2020.

Civil

Civil

Civil

Gregory Mirliss is a Project Manager at AECOM, where he works in the Transportation and Transit Department. In addition to his project management responsibilities, he serves as the Boston Office Safety Representative, helping to promote and maintain a culture of safety across the organization. Gregory has been with AECOM for over fourteen years.

He holds degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology and Suffolk University, where he earned his Master of Business Administration.

Gregory’s experience spans a wide range of infrastructure projects, including bridge and tunnel inspections, multi-story buildings, and below-grade structures. He has contributed to various phases of project development—from initial studies and analysis through construction and commissioning. His portfolio includes everything from minor repairs and system replacements to the construction of entirely new buildings and tunnels.

An active member of the civil engineering community, Gregory serves on the ACEC Transportation Agencies Liaison Committee (TALC) and has held the role of Treasurer for the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) since 2018.

Outside of his professional work, Gregory is deeply involved in community service. He has held leadership roles with the Boy Scouts of America, served on committees in his hometown of Norfolk, supported initiatives at his alma maters, and founded a charitable organization in memory of his late father, Gary Mirliss.