Diane Gutierrez‑Scaccetti joins HNTB as national practice consultant and senior vice president

Former New Jersey DOT commissioner and CEO of NJTA and FTE brings decades of public‑sector leadership; recipient of the 2026 Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation from TRB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Diane Gutierrez‑Scaccetti, a nationally recognized transportation executive with more than four decades leading policy, funding and delivery of complex infrastructure programs, has joined HNTB as national practice consultant and senior vice president. She is based in HNTB’s Nashville office supporting clients across the country.

“Diane is a transformative public servant whose track record delivering high‑impact programs and forging strong coalitions will bring tremendous value to our clients and partners,” said Doug Mann, HNTB president – corporate development. “Through her years of leadership at NJDOT, FTE and NJTA, her insight into how agencies set priorities, secure funding and execute at scale aligns perfectly with the challenges our clients face today.” 

In her new role, Gutierrez‑Scaccetti advises project and client teams on strategy, capital program development, funding, stakeholder engagement and accelerated delivery approaches drawn from her experience leading some of the nation’s most complex transportation organizations. 

Prior to joining HNTB, Gutierrez‑Scaccetti most recently served as chief of staff to the Governor of New Jersey, where she advanced major legislative and budget initiatives in close collaboration with state leadership. 

From 2018 to 2024, she was commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, managing an eight‑year, $16‑billion capital program and serving on the boards of statewide transportation agencies. 

Gutierrez‑Scaccetti’s executive leadership experience also includes leading two of the country’s largest tolling organizations as executive director/CEO of both the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, overseeing multibillion‑dollar work programs and enterprise operations. 

“I am honored to join HNTB and collaborate with talented professionals who share my commitment to advancing mobility, safety and equity for communities nationwide,” said Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen the power of partnership and innovation to deliver transformative infrastructure solutions and solve complex problems. I look forward to supporting our clients as they tackle challenges and create lasting benefits for the people they serve.”

A respected voice in the industry, Gutierrez‑Scaccetti has held national leadership positions including president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, service on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Board of Directors, and chair of the executive committee for the Transportation Research Board. She also served as a member of the executive committee for The Eastern Transportation Coalition. 

In January 2026, she will receive the 2026 Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation from the Transportation Research Board. Gutierrez-Scaccetti will be recognized at the TRB Annual Meeting for her career-long efforts to ensure that transportation systems truly serve the people who rely on them. In a press release, TRB said, “Through her leadership, Gutierrez-Scaccetti has advanced a clear philosophy: that transportation is the circulatory system of the economy, connecting communities, enabling opportunity, and enriching quality of life.”

She holds a Master of Science, Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Rutgers and a bachelor’s from the University of Connecticut’s School of Business Administration.

About HNTBFor more than a century, HNTB Corporation has been at the forefront of designing and advancing transportation infrastructure that enhances mobility and improves local communities. With client relationships spanning decades, we understand infrastructure life cycles and have perspective and experience to solve the most complex technical, financial and operational challenges with vision and imagination. As employee owners committed to excellence, we prioritize client success while delivering a full spectrum of infrastructure-related services. Discover HNTB’s Spark at www.hntb.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.