Rachel Bernhard Promoted to HDR’s Value Engineering and Project Risk Director

Rachel Bernhard, P.E., CVS, has been promoted to HDR’s director of value engineering and project risk management. Based in Olympia, Washington, she will lead the firm’s value engineering and risk professionals as they work with clients to identify project risks and alternatives that add value through improved performance, cost savings or both. 

A key part of that effort is project workshops such as HDR's cost risk assessment and value engineering, value engineering, or cost and schedule risk analysis workshops. Bernhard has led or been a team member of more than 130 workshops for agencies and municipalities across North America. For example, as part of recent work for one state DOT, Bernhard led a value engineering team that identified 15 alternatives on a $573 million highway project. Led by Bernhard, the team identified more than $50 million in cost savings opportunities, and it improved performance by 54% by combining several recommendations into a more comprehensive value engineering strategy. 

“Value engineering and risk workshops are problem-solving mechanisms that allow us to address our clients’ most difficult challenges,” Bernhard said. “I’m excited to lead our talented team members as we empower our clients with these key decision-making tools to keep their projects and programs moving forward.”

As director, Bernhard will help set the strategy for HDR's value engineering program while applying her technical expertise as an active facilitator in project and program work. Prior to joining HDR’s value engineering and risk group, Bernhard was a designer for numerous local and national roadway and stormwater projects and was a construction inspector for rail and water projects.

“Rachel’s engaging energy, leadership qualities, and her technical experience as a certified value specialist make her an excellent fit for this role,” said HDR Advisory Services Director Janet González Tudor. “Value engineering is a critical tool for infrastructure owners and the experience of Rachel and our team will provide valuable assistance as agencies move forward community-changing projects and programs.”