KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Jeff Jones has joined Burns & McDonnell as a rail leader within the Transportation Group in Kansas City. Jeff will be responsible for growing the rail practice at Burns & McDonnell.

Jones’ hiring expands the overall rail services at Burns & McDonnell. He joins a team that includes Jeff Jobe, hired in 2020, to support on the heavy rail side, as well as Dave Thurston, who leads the light rail and transit.

Together they will provide design and construction services to railroads and a variety of industries including refineries, power plants, facilities and airports.

“The demand for rail services has significantly increased over recent years,” says Michael DeBacker, vice president and leader of the Transportation Group at Burns & McDonnell. “Having a well-rounded team to offer these services is critical for infrastructure updates.”

Jones is bringing 21 years of experience and rail practice leadership from another architecture, engineering and construction firm. He has worked in the Class 1 and Shortline Railroad markets and with private sector clients needing rail service.

”The rail industry continues to adapt through ever-changing market forces such as the decline of coal, Positive Train Control (PTC), Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) and most recently COVID-19.” Jones says. “Through it all, the railroads and their customers, with a focus on safety, continue to work together to keep the flow of goods moving and our economy strong. The industry will continue to adapt and Burns & McDonnell is uniquely positioned to help our railroad clients and their customers design and construct infrastructure, automate processes and adopt technologies to drive efficiencies and safety into the future.”

Jones has been named an American Council of Engineering Companies Emerging Leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of nearly 8,000 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 60 offices globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.