DALLAS, TX HNTB Corporation announces three key hires in its north Texas offices to support transportation agencies with on-going congestion-relief programs in the region.

Ronnie Smith, PE, is the Regional Business Development Leader. He serves as a resource for HNTB client service leaders, department heads, project managers and other employees in the firm's Dallas, Texas, and Plano, Texas, offices.

Smith has nearly 35 years of public- and private-sector experience with a successful track record of providing high-performance business development, market development, program and construction management, design build, and construction engineering and inspection services. His experience spans multiple industries, including aviation, transit and municipal.

Phil Armstrong, PE, rejoins HNTB Corporation as Central Division Business Development Officer and Senior Vice President. He returns to HNTB's Dallas office, where he previously spent 13 years.

Armstrong has more than 37 years of industry experience, having managed or designed more than $1 billion in major highway improvements for departments of transportation and toll authorities over the course of his career. He also brings a comprehensive understanding of the toll industry and more than a decade of public-private partnership experience.

Armstrong's focus includes expanding HNTB's client service in multiple markets across central and western states. He has supported multiple projects in HNTB's Central Division during his prior employment, including the design-build IH-35E Managed Lanes and SH 183 Projects in the Dallas area.

Kara Lentz, PE, is a Senior Program Manager. She has 16 years of professional experience in program, project and construction management.

She has significant experience in the aviation infrastructure market sector, having managed major aviation programs that include gate concourses, airport train stations and mass excavations.

Lentz serves as program manager for the firm's recent win of a five-year program management and construction management contract with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.