Company News

Steer Davies Gleave strengthens its US advisory team

By Steer

Steer Davies Gleave is delighted to announce the appointment of Pierre Vilain to our Boston office. He joins as part of a continued effort to enhance our advisory team in the United States transportation market.

Pierre Vilain
Pierre Vilain, Ph.D.: Pierre joins from HDR, where he was Vice President. He has over 22 years as an economist and specialises in urban and transportation economics.

Pierre has worldwide expertise in transportation and regional economic policy formulation and advisory, including the analysis and appraisal of major infrastructure projects, transportation demand modeling, economic cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis and financial appraisal.

Pierre’s involvement in infrastructure development includes working with sponsors, owners and lenders developing investment grade forecasts, which he has done in the context of numerous PPPs or conventional financing. Some of his recent high-profile projects include investment-grade model development for:

  • Vancouver’s Translink;
  • New York State Thruway;
  • Chicago Skyway;
  • Indiana Toll Road;
  • Staten Island Ferry; and
  • various toll roads in Spain and Latin America.

On the policy front, Pierre recently led a major multi-agency effort to develop a governance and management structure for the privately-operated passenger ferry system in the New York City region; estimated sources and magnitudes of fuel tax evasion in the United States for the Federal government; and analyzed the impact of regulatory changes on the asset value of taxi operator licenses in New York City.  

Jon Bottom, Head of our US Region said: “The expansion of Steer Davies Gleave in the US is reflective of our ongoing success in the region. I’m extremely pleased to welcome Pierre Vilain onboard – he brings with him a wealth of valuable experience to support our growing portfolio of advisory work in the P3 infrastructure, rail and urban transit sectors.”

Background information

Pierre Vilain is a noted expert in the application of econometric techniques to transportation modeling, including the merging of these models with network models. His expertise spans roads, transit and aviation in this realm. He has also applied regional modeling techniques to transportation demand modeling, addressing a frequent need in developing rigorous transportation demand analyses.

In transportation or urban development policy, Pierre is an expert in the application of cost-benefit analysis techniques and micro-economic analysis to infrastructure issues. He has been commissionsed to provide advisory  services to varied clients, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, FHWA and New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Pierre has previously worked at a senior executive level for Halcrow, Inc. and the Louis Berger Group. He has also been an economist at the European Investment Bank and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He is a US Council Boad Member for the International Project Finance Association, and his research has been published widely in technical journals and publications.

Off

Subscribe to our newsletter, The Edit

We are Steer

Yes, you are in the right place. After 40 years, we have changed our name from Steer Davies Gleave to mark our growing international footprint and our expanding portfolio into markets beyond transportation.

Explore our new website to learn more about Steer: who we are, how we work and what our future holds.

Related insights

  • 21 Aug 2025
    Company news

    Steer Expands Asia-Pacific Footprint with New Office in Mumbai

    Samhita Indurkar
    Associate

    Steer opens its second India office at Peninsula Corporate Park, strengthening our presence in a fast-growing infrastructure market.

    Read more

  • 18 Jul 2025
    Company news

    Steer Director Nicola Kane Elected New Chair of Transport Planning Society in UK

    By Steer

    Nicola Kane named new TPS Chair, bringing strategic vision, regional expertise and fresh momentum to the role.

    Read more

  • 14 Jul 2025
    Company news

    New Signing for Steer’s Sports & Major Events Team

    By Steer

    Joe Milner joins Steer’s Sports and Major Events team, boosting event delivery expertise in the North of England.

    Read more

  • 08 Jul 2025
    Company news

    Steer Appointed to Key Lots on Transport for Greater Manchester’s New Transport Professional Services Framework

    By Steer

    Steer joins TfGM’s £120m Transport Framework (2025–29), boosting sustainable, integrated mobility across the UK.

    Read more

  • 08 May 2025
    Company news

    Steer at the New England TDM Summit: Exploring the Future of Equitable and Effective Mobility

    By Steer

    We participated in the Spring Into TDM 2025: Patriot Chapter summit hosted by the New England chapter of the Association for Commuter

    Read more

  • 23 Apr 2025
    Company news

    Steer helps Italian transport operator break into the Paris bus market

    By Steer

    ATM enters Paris bus market with Steer's support, winning Lot 40 in a major cross-border transit success.

    Read more

  • 15 Jan 2025
    Company news

    Steer contributes to expert roundtable on railway station masterplanning

    Nicola Kane
    Director

    What role do stations play in cities, communities and their regeneration?

    Read more

  • 14 Jan 2025
    Company news

    Steer to support UK Future Transport Forum 2025

    Profile image
    Matthew Clark
    Associate Director
    Fiona Jenkins
    Associate Director

    Steer will be supporting the Future Transport Forum 2025 later this month in Southampton.

    Read more

  • 23 Dec 2024
    Company news

    Happy Holidays from Steer

    By Steer

    As the holiday season approaches, we wish all our clients and industry colleagues a joyful and restful time with loved ones.

    Read more

  • 19 Dec 2024
    Company news

    Presenting innovative approaches to transit planning

    By Steer

    We are thrilled to showcase our work through three presentations at TRB 2025. These sessions highlight how Steer leverages cutting-edge

    Read more

  • 19 Dec 2024
    Company news

    Steer at TRB 2025: leading the way in rail and mobility innovation

    By Steer

    In January, Steer will be participating in the 2025 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, engaging with transportation

    Read more

  • 12 Dec 2024
    Company news

    Steer collaborates with Active Travel Academy to bridge gap between research and practice

    By Steer

    Steer is thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking partnership with the Active Travel Academy at the University of Westminster.

    Read more