STV promotes two executives, adds McKinsey alum to senior leadership team

STV, a leading professional services firm that plans, designs and manages infrastructure projects across North America, today announced three leadership changes to further drive the firm toward the objectives set in its Strategic Plan. Marcos Díaz González has been promoted to president of STV’s Transportation Northeast operating group, John Ponzio has been promoted to executive vice president of STV’s Centers of Excellence and Garo Hovnanian joins STV as executive vice president of Advisory Services. All will report to STV’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Kelly, PE.

In his new role, Díaz González is responsible for STV’s transportation operations in the Northeast, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware – a region that is slated to receive nearly $1.5 trillion in federal investment for passenger rail improvements alone. He will oversee project execution across the region to drive superior client service and strategic growth. Díaz González brings more than 25 years of comprehensive experience in the AEC industry encompassing operations, project execution, program management and business development across multiple market sectors. Since joining STV in 2021, he supported the development of the firm’s Strategic Plan and streamlined operations for STV’s national practices. Díaz González is chair of the board of the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York, past chair of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, vice chair of the Advisory Board of Columbia University’s Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Spaces, and an Advisory Board member of the Eno Center for Transportation in Washington, DC. He is currently an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Engineering School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration from Yale University.

“Marcos is known for building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of leaders and driving innovation to deliver better results for STV’s clients and our communities,” said Kelly. “He is exceptionally well-positioned to lead our transportation operations in the Northeast into its next phase of growth and client service excellence.”

John Ponzio succeeds Díaz González as executive vice president of STV’s Centers of Excellence, overseeing the firm’s specialized national practices including tunnels and geotech, project controls, systems, vehicles, maintenance facilities and mobility/intelligent transportation systems. He will focus on expanding these core practices while driving cross-collaboration and innovation among STV’s teams and clients. Ponzio has spent his entire 25-year career at STV, starting as a junior engineer and progressing to lead the systems, vehicles and maintenance facilities teams. He has provided oversight for rail and transit projects for the majority of transit agencies throughout the U.S. and currently serves on an advisory board at the Penn State, Harrisburg, Capital College’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology. Ponzio earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

“John has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow our business while maintaining the highest technical standards and client service,” Kelly added. “We are proud of the exceptional career he has developed at STV and are excited to watch him continue to elevate our company and our people in this new leadership role.”

Garo Hovnanian joins STV from McKinsey & Company’s Capital Excellence practice as the firm’s new executive vice president for Advisory Services. In this newly created role, Hovnanian oversees STV’s aviation, digital advisory, planning, infrastructure economics, cities initiative, zero emissions, sustainable design, resilience and program management teams. With more than 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, he has a proven track record of growing infrastructure advisory practices and helping clients navigate industry challenges, including talent shortages, technology adoption and contract and process innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

“Garo’s understanding of the motivations, strategies, strengths and weaknesses of each stakeholder in the construction ecosystem gives him the unique insights needed to provide exceptional advisory services and help clients deliver transformative projects for communities,” said Kelly. “We are excited to welcome him to STV as we expand our upstream services.”