Alastair (Aly) MacGregor has been named the executive business line leader for Property and Buildings at WSP USA, one of the nation’s largest engineering and professional services consultancies. MacGregor, who joins the firm from an international infrastructure consulting firm, assumed the role on June 1.
“Aly brings varied experience across digital innovation and transformation; sustainable, low carbon and high performance design; smart buildings; strategic portfolio energy and decarbonization programs; and more key areas that will help us deliver on our key strategic priorities in the U.S.,” said Lou Cornell, president and chief executive officer of WSP USA. “Aly will leverage this expertise to help us further the work our teams are already doing in these areas, bringing the full strength of our interdisciplinary offering to our clients to help them deliver on their ambitions.”
MacGregor, who is based in our Irvine, California office, succeeds Rick Rome, who has led WSP’s U.S. Property and Buildings business since 2020. Throughout his more than 36 years at WSP, Rome has held multiple roles with the company, leading Building Systems and as a key member of the U.S. and business line leadership teams. He will continue with WSP in a role focused on client development and integration of acquired firms.
“Rick has played a critical role in expanding our foothold in complex sector markets like healthcare, science + technology, mission critical and higher education, as well as in mentoring our next generation of leaders,” Cornell said. “We are grateful for his incredible contributions to our business thus far, and grateful that our clients, employees and colleagues from newly acquired firms will continue to benefit from his vast expertise.”
Prior to joining WSP, MacGregor held various leadership positions of increasing scope and responsibility over the past 25 years with an international infrastructure consulting firm. In his most recent role, he served as senior vice president directing the global tech and logistics market sector within the firm’s global buildings business. He previously led the firm’s teams for digital solutions and building engineering in the Americas.
His recent work has included support of client innovation via projects ranging from electric vehicle charging networks and advanced air mobility infrastructure to net zero carbon sports venues and the creation of new software as a service (SaaS) solutions. He was also the leader within the firm responsible for developing its integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) design methodology for buildings, offering demonstrated multi-faceted whole-life performance benefits, including carbon, operational effectiveness and staff well-being.
“Aly’s varied experience in service of U.S. and global clients will be invaluable to our employees and clients,” said Tom Smith, global director, Property and Buildings for WSP. “We are excited to leverage his passion for creating innovative sustainable solutions and employing digital technology to enhance building performance in service of our work as we seek to help clients deliver more Future Ready® operations.”
MacGregor has also held roles with his previous firm leading high-performance building design, as well as technical excellence and innovation in North America.
He is a graduate with honors from the University of Newcastle, in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a master’s degree in building engineering services, engineering management.
MacGregor has presented at conferences including TedX, Greenbuild, the National Building Institute’s Better Buildings Summit, ASHRAE and the Energy Exchange Conference. He is a previous winner of the National Sustainability Award from the Construction Management Association of America, a FitWel Ambassador and LEED AP, and a two-time U.S. Patent awardee.
“I am excited to see how Aly uses his experience to build on the work we have done to date in Property and Buildings and support initiatives across the business,” Rome said. “Our clients are increasingly looking for digital-forward, resilient and sustainable solutions that add lasting value to our communities; Aly will have an incredible impact on nurturing our existing offerings and growing our talent in these areas, benefiting our employees and our clients.”
WSP USA’s Property and Buildings business is among the most versatile in the industry, with leading positions in engineering and specialty services for markets ranging from healthcare to super-tall residential high-rises, from science and technology to commercial offices, and from mission critical to hospitality. The group’s project history includes Manhattan’s One World Trade Center and 53W53; Dell Children’s Medical Center, the first hospital in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification; laboratories that played key roles in the fight against COVID-19, including the Rocky Mountain Integrated Research Facility; LaGuardia Airport, the first airport in the world to achieve LEEDv4 Gold certification; and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the first stadium in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
Related Stories
Green | Jun 22, 2022
World’s largest commercial Living Building opens in Portland, Ore.
The world’s largest commercial Living Building recently opened in Portland, Ore.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 21, 2022
Two birds, one solution: Can we solve urban last-mile distribution and housing challenges at the same time?
When it comes to the development of both multifamily housing and last-mile distribution centers, particularly in metropolitan environments, each presents its own series of challenges and hurdles. One solution: single-use structures.
Libraries | Jun 21, 2022
Kingston, Ontario, library branch renovation cuts energy use to 55% of benchmark
A recent renovation of the Kingston (Ontario) Frontenac Public Library Central Branch greatly boosted energy and water efficiency while making the facility healthier and safer.
Building Materials | Jun 20, 2022
Early-stage procurement: The next evolution of the construction supply chain
Austin Commercial’s Jason Earnhardt explains why supply chain issues for the construction industry are not going to go away and how developers and owners can get ahead of project roadblocks.
Building Team | Jun 20, 2022
Andres Caballero Appointed President of Uponor North America
Uponor Corporation (Uponor) has named Andres Caballero president of its Building Solutions – North America division and a member of the Executive Committee at Uponor.
| Jun 20, 2022
An architectural view of school safety and security
With threats ranging from severe weather to active shooters, school leaders, designers, and security consultants face many challenges in creating safe environments that allow children to thrive.
School Construction | Jun 20, 2022
A charter high school breaks ground in L.A.’s Koreatown
A new charter school has broken ground in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood.
Building Team | Jun 17, 2022
Data analytics in design and construction: from confusion to clarity and the data-driven future
Data helps virtual design and construction (VDC) teams predict project risks and navigate change, which is especially vital in today’s fluctuating construction environment.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 17, 2022
U. of Georgia football facility expansion provides three floors for high-performance training
A major expansion of the University of Georgia’s football training facility has been completed.
Building Team | Jun 16, 2022
Hybrid work expected to reduce office demand by 9%
Businesses are slowly but consistently transitioning to a permanent hybrid work environment, according to a senior economist at Econometric Advisors.