05.31.19
Brittany Cowgill (holding frame) with board members at the May 22 event. Photo by Rick Kuehn.
Portland, OR – The Portland chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar held their Spring Event and Awards Presentation last week at The Melody Event Center Ballroom. Two Parametrix employee-owners were recognized for their contributions to the organization and to the industry as a whole.
Brittany Cowgill, PE was named the Portland chapter’s ‘Member of the Year’. She was nominated by the organization’s board of directors. This award recognizes a member “who has made extraordinary contributions to the success of the organization.” Brittany has been a member of the organization since 2014 when she was involved in the Chicago chapter. She joined the Portland chapter in 2015.
When asked about her involvement in Women’s Transportation Seminar, Cowgill stated, “It’s rewarding to participate in an organization that not only provides great networking, technical, and professional growth opportunities, but one that emphasizes a mission I’m passionate about: to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry.”
Cowgill is a transportation engineer with nearly 10 years of experience. Her project experience includes TriMet’s Southwest Corridor transit project and repairing the Hagg Lake Slide area in Washington County.
John Willis (holding frame) with board members at the May 22 event. Photo by Rick Kuehn.
John Willis, PE, who serves as Vice President of Parametrix’s Oregon offices, received the ‘Ray Lahood’ award. This honor is given each year to a man in the transportation industry who has made outstanding contributions, including advancing women and minorities, serving as an advocate, and leading by example.
For more than 25 years, Willis has led key transportation projects across the Pacific Northwest. His work has included the MAX Orange Line’s West Segment, airport expansions, and Seattle’s Central Waterfront project.
He has served as part of the Oregon Governor’s committee on small businesses, continues to participate as an active member of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, and currently serves as a mentor through the Port of Portland’s Mentor Protege Program.
“John’s strong personal commitment toward the economic empowerment of women and minority owned businesses and budding professionals is exemplary,” stated Vijay Deodhar, owner of 3D InFusion.
Parametrix is a sponsor of Women’s Transportation Seminar Portland chapter and in 2018 was named “Employer of the Year” by the organization for “for recruiting, retaining and advancing women.”
About Parametrix
Parametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm celebrating 50 years in business. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We serve our clients from locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Oregon and Washington’s 100 Best Companies to Work for. Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc.
