Patty Rubstello joins WSP as National Transportation Strategic Advisor

Former assistant secretary of largest North American ferry system is providing strategic leadership for multimodal and tolling projects for WSP clients across the U.S.

Patty Rubstello, PE, joined WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, as national transportation strategic advisor.

In her new role, Rubstello, who served more than 33 years with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in a variety of roles, provides leadership and strategic direction to project teams working to identify, develop and deliver multimodal and tolling initiatives for clients nationwide.

“Patty’s wealth of knowledge, outstanding reputation and deep expertise will strengthen our collaboration with clients who are working hard to deliver world-class transportation solutions,” said Jeff Heilstedt, PE, senior vice president and national highway, bridge and tolling market leader. “We welcome her leadership, her ideas and her passion for this work as historic investments in transportation move the nation forward.”

Based in Seattle, Rubstello most recently served WSDOT as assistant secretary of Washington State Ferries, where she oversaw a budget of more than $1.25 billion, a fleet of 21 vessels, a workforce of nearly 2,000 people and more than 17 million customers annually.

She was a driving force behind efforts to convert the largest vessels in the fleet to hybrid electric and design new vessels capable of running nearly 100 percent on battery power. She also oversaw replacement of Seattle’s largest ferry terminal at Colman Dock.

Rubstello is credited with forming and managing Washington State’s Urban Mobility and Access office, which included the toll division, regional transit coordination division and the management of mobility division.

Her industry associations include active membership in the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), where she founded the Women in Tolling Council in 2020. She earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from IBTTA in 2023. She is a member of Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) and was named WTS Member of the Year in 2019. Rubstello served on the executive board of Green Marine, a voluntary certification program dedicated to advancing environmental excellence in the marine industry; a board member for Interferry, a worldwide association representing the ferry industry; and a current board member of Washington Maritime Blue, an organization committed to the development of maritime business, technology and practices that promote a sustainable future.