Mr. Pakhchanian to oversee the design, maintenance, inspection and operational efficiency of bridge infrastructure throughout the firm’s Mid-Atlantic Region
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, consulting and technology services, today announced that Hratch (Rich) Pakhchanian, P.E., has joined the firm as Regional Operations Lead – Bridge. In this role, Mr. Pakhchanian will oversee the design, maintenance, inspection and operational efficiency of bridge infrastructure throughout the firm’s Mid-Atlantic Region, which consists of 13 offices throughout Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Working in close collaboration with project managers, engineers, and construction teams, Mr. Pakhchanian will ensure that all bridge projects meet the highest standards for safety, compliance and timely delivery. He will also play a key role in strengthening coordination with local agencies and stakeholders, addressing operational challenges and advancing innovative solutions that enhance the longevity and performance of critical bridge assets.
“Rich brings deep expertise in bridge engineering, construction and operations management to his new role—experience that will be instrumental in advancing infrastructure initiatives across the Mid-Atlantic Region,” said John Walsh, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director at Michael Baker International. “With 42 years in bridge design, inspection and safety—including complex structures, rehabilitations, movable bridges and tunnels—Rich will strengthen our Bridge Practice team with his invaluable insight and proven track record of operational excellence. His leadership in national and regional bridge programs will expand our capabilities, foster innovation and help us deliver safe, resilient infrastructure for our clients.”
Mr. Pakhchanian’s extensive experience has spanned a wide range of structural engineering with an emphasis on complex bridge design and inspection concepts and procedures. Prior to joining Michael Baker, Mr. Pakhchanian spent more than four decades with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), most recently serving as Branch Chief for the Office of Bridges and Structures at Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD). In this role, he led four major programs—Bridge Design, Inspection, Management and National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Compliance Reviews for Federal Agencies (Bridge Safety) and supervised a team of 28 employees. He also served as Discipline Champion for the entire Office of Bridges and Structures for the Federal Land Highway (FLH) Offices. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pakhchanian was a Project Engineer for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mr. Pakhchanian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from The George Washington University.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering, consulting and technology services spanning three distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA) and GovTech. The firm’s Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For 85 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).
The company has more than 5,100 employees across more than 90 office locations. Michael Baker’s Wolf Pack is committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while evolving its business to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm.
To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.
Contact: Julia Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609
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SOURCE Michael Baker International
