Kenneth B. Spain
Burke
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at WMATA, excelling in project management and budget oversight. Proven track record in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, including a $300M design-build contract. Skilled in regulatory compliance and contract negotiation, fostering collaboration among diverse teams to achieve successful outcomes.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Director - Capital Improvement Program, IRPG
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
07.2015 - Current
- Director of WMATA's Rail and Bus Infrastructure (RBIR) Department and responsible for implementation of structural, electrical and mechanical projects throughout the Metrorail System.
- Report to WMATA's Senior Vice President for Infrastructure and Project Delivery.
- Provide oversight of over one-hundred and thirty (130) Authority and over one-hundred (100) consulting support staff tasked with implementation of capital improvement projects.
- In November of 2018, concurrent with duties as Director, was requested to provide direct project management of WMATA's first contract for the new Platform Improvement Program.
- Was the Contracting Officer's Representative for a $300M (+) design-build contract to repair platform edges and upgrade systems and customer amenities at six (6) Metrorail Stations south of National Airport in Northern Virginia.
- The project was primarily completed during a three-month summer shutdown, representing the largest project of its kind in WMATA's history.
- The six stations were successfully re-opened on September 9, 2019.
- Responsible for initial project planning and procurement efforts and then engineering design management and construction management for this design-build contract.
- Worked with internal media and governmental relations staff to keep the public and local jurisdictional partners fully informed on project scope and status.
- Work with WMATA's office of management and budget during pursuit of a BUILD Grant associated with the platform project.
- Coordinated regulatory and compliance requirements for the project.
- Met monthly with FTA PMOC staff to brief project status, staffing, cost, schedule, quality, safety and security, contract administration and project risk.
- RBIR consists of multiple project management teams responsible for development and implementation of facility and system rehabilitation and upgrade contracts.
- Current major RBIR projects include the Radio & Cellular Infrastructure contract ($330M), the Traction Power Upgrades and Rehabilitations Program ($500M) and the Structural Repairs for Bridges ($150M).
Senior Program Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
04.2012 - 07.2015
- Senior Program Manager responsible for oversight of the Red Line Rehabilitation Project.
- Task manager for consulting contracts to support the project.
- Responsible for initial project planning and procurement efforts and then engineering design management and construction management for this design-build contract.
- Assisted with efforts to obtain TIGER Grant funding for elements of the project.
- Worked with internal media and governmental relations staff to keep the public and local jurisdictional partners fully informed on project scope and status.
- Met monthly with FTA PMOC staff to brief project status, staffing, cost, schedule, quality, safety and security, contract administration and project risk.
- During this timeframe was also assigned to manage numerous facility rehabilitation projects to include bus garages, parking garages, roofing repairs and equipment installations in WMATA service and inspection shops.
Project Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
08.2009 - 04.2012
- Project Manager for the Red Line Rehabilitation Project for WMATA.
- This $234M contract included multiple disciplines such as structural platform rehabilitation, traction power and automatic train control upgrades, elevator and escalator rehabilitation and replacements, PA and CCTV upgrades, mechanical system upgrades and numerous architectural improvements such as station signage, kiosk enlargements, and station ceiling tile replacement.
- Was the Contracting Officer's Representative tasked with performing engineering design management for design-build elements of the project as well as all construction management responsibilities.
- Met monthly with PMOC staff to brief project status and worked closely with internal media and government relations departments.
- Represented WMATA during public outreach efforts for numerous aspects of this project.
Resident Engineer (RE)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
10.2003 - 08.2009
- Responsible for development of technical documents for all project planning aspects of the Red Line Rehabilitation Project.
- Coordinated with each IRPG Project Manager to ensure quality and comprehensive package was developed.
- During this period also managed the day-to-day aspects of a major rehabilitation project at Metro Center to repair failed bearing pads for the platform girders.
- Coordinated with WMATA's office of management and budget to assist with all federal grant management requirements.
- Responsible for construction management activities associated with the installation of traction power equipment at over 92 substation facilities throughout the Metrorail System to increase the power capacity of the railroad to allow for running eight-car trains.
- Resident Engineer for contract to convert the Four Mile Bus Garage from a diesel facility to a compressed natural gas facility.
- A major aspect of this project included working with Washington Gas and Arlington County officials to complete the installation of a 3.7 mile long natural gas pipeline through a multi-jurisdictional area.
- Negotiated real estate transactions, obtained necessary permits and ensured construction was completed on time.
- Resident Engineer for the Anacostia Light Rail Demonstration Project for the District of Columbia.
- Assisted with all aspects of the project development to include coordination with WMATA and jurisdictional personnel for ratification of funding and operating agreements, facilitation of real estate transactions, board approvals, design criteria and contract procurement actions.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
U. S. Army Reserves (USAR)
06.1987 - 11.2008
- Served as a member of the Corps of Engineer's Contingency Response Unit (CRU) in Washington, D.C.
- Mobilized for duty following Hurricane Katrina and worked as an action officer at the Joint Task Force Headquarters in New Orleans.
- Prior assignments included working as an observer/controller with the 78th FEB Division responsible for conducting situational training exercises for combat heavy engineer units.
- Also served as a company commander in a drill sergeant battalion of the 80th Training Division.
Major
U.S. Army
09.2001 - 10.2003
- Mobilized for active duty in September 2001 in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Served as a planning officer and Security Project Manager for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Kuwait, then in Baghdad.
- Worked on a 100+ person team of military and civilian personnel tasked with restoring oil production operations in Iraq.
- Worked closely with military warfighter commands and the contractor, Kellogg, Brown and Root, for this multi-billion dollar project.
- Engineer Action Officer for the Theater Coalition Command during the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Prepared operation orders for assignment of mine clearance assets throughout Afghanistan.
- Prepared, negotiated and administered a high visibility mine dog contract.
- Also involved with ensuring continued reliability of airfield runways in Afghanistan. This required innovative construction repairs in extremely austere and dangerous environments.
Project Manager (Acting)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
02.1999 - 09.2001
- Project Manager (Acting) for design, procurement and construction of the enlarged station entrance at Mount Vernon Square/Convention Center Metrorail Station.
- As the Acting PM (prior to military mobilization), oversaw and coordinated activities of all station systems contracts.
- Project responsibilities progressively increased, especially with regards to coordination with interdepartmental and governmental officials, budget and personnel management, and community outreach efforts.
Resident Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
08.1996 - 02.1999
- Resident Engineer for several contracts to include a roof replacement/renovation project for over 100 facilities throughout the metropolitan region.
- Helped close out several old contracts for underground storage tanks and miscellaneous small projects from the Greenbelt Yard Project.
Resident Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
12.1995 - 10.1997
- Oversaw WMATA's interests during construction of a modified entrance at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail Station in conjunction with construction of the new downtown arena.
- This contract included demolition of major components of an active rail station followed by installation of an enlarged passageway with two escalators, two elevators, and 18 faregates.
- Responsible for protection of Red and Green Line tunnels located below and adjacent to the arena (crown of Red Line tunnel is only 15 feet below arena's playing surface).
Office Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
09.1993 - 12.1995
- Processed contractor submittals and prepared majority of correspondence for this $50M facility that included manufacture and installation S&I shop equipment.
Construction Inspector
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
10.1986 - 09.1993
- First project was an $80M hard rock tunnel along WMATA's Red Line.
- Inspected concrete placements, tunnel power and water installations, and air distribution systems.
- Lead inspector for the Wheaton Station finishes contract.
- Final project as a field inspector was the Greenbelt Station parking lot.
Education
BS - Civil Engineering
Virginia Military Institute
01.1986
Skills
- Project management
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
- Technical documentation
- Contract negotiation
- Infrastructure development
References
Upon Request
Timeline
Director - Capital Improvement Program, IRPG
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
07.2015 - Current
Senior Program Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
04.2012 - 07.2015
Project Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
08.2009 - 04.2012
Resident Engineer (RE)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
10.2003 - 08.2009
Major
U.S. Army
09.2001 - 10.2003
Project Manager (Acting)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
02.1999 - 09.2001
Resident Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
08.1996 - 02.1999
Resident Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
12.1995 - 10.1997
Office Engineer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
09.1993 - 12.1995
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
U. S. Army Reserves (USAR)
06.1987 - 11.2008
Construction Inspector
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
10.1986 - 09.1993
BS - Civil Engineering
Virginia Military Institute
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