DALLAS, TX — HDR announces that Shai Roos, AICP, has joined as Urban Planning Principal out of the Dallas studio and Laura Grams, AICP, has been promoted to Transit Planning Practice Leader in Houston, Texas.In her new role, Roos will collaborate with multiple business groups at HDR to develop and promote interdisciplinary and cross sector opportunities. She will be primarily responsible for the growth and development of an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable regional urban design and planning practice, with an emphasis in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas markets.

Roos brings more than 24 years of experience and relationships in both public and private sectors related to long-range planning and project implementation for local governments. Her work spans comprehensive planning, strategic planning, downtown redevelopment, neighborhood plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances, development regulations, transportation planning, economic development, public/private partnerships, and development/budget impact analysis.

“HDR is actively expanding our community planning practice across North America,” said HDR's National Director of Urban Design, Planning, and Landscape Architecture Kaia Nesbitt. “Shai’s passion for inclusive community engagement processes and her deep expertise in urban planning are valuable additions to both our regional and national studio.”

Roos received her Master of City & Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. She chairs the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee of American Planning Association’s Texas Chapter.

Grams will work closely with transportation planning and transit leadership to expand and diversify HDR’s transit planning offerings. She will build on her experience and knowledge of the matrix to elevate HDR's practice and develop staff involved with policy, systems planning, corridor planning and development, funding, and operations and safety. Her work will span all transit modes, from paratransit and intercity passenger rail to bus rapid transit, commuter rail, and more. Grams will help clients future-proof their investments while taking advantage of emerging transportation trends.

With 17 years of experience — including 13 with HDR — Grams has expertise in project management as well as transit service planning, including route structure, scheduling, ridership analysis, and transit operations. She also brings an understanding of transportation development plans and regionally coordinated transportation plans.

“The transit industry is undergoing many changes from emerging trends, electrification of fleets, and ridership recovery,” said Global Transportation Planning Director Santanu Roy. “Leveraging HDR’s leadership in the transit space, Laura will be instrumental in guiding diverse teams and clients toward custom solutions that enhance transit corridors with smart and sustainable features.”