Christopher O. Ward, who left in October as executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has joined Dragados USA, the New York City-based unit of the Spanish contractor Dragados SA, a Dragados USa official confirms. Ward says he will abstain from the firm's intended bid to the authority on an upgrade of the aging Goethals bridge, according to a published report. Ward joined the agency in 2008, from a previous role as managing director of the General Contractors Association of New York Inc.

Cindy Wallis-Lage has been elevated to president of the global water business for Black & Veatch, Overland Park, Kan. A company veteran since 1986, her most recent position was executive managing director of technical solutions. Wallis-Lage serves on several committees for the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, New York City, has named Guy Templeton president and chief operating officer of its Asia/Australia-Pacific/southern Africa operating company. Based in Sydney, he succeeds Chuck Kohler, who now is group director of operational delivery for Balfour Beatty, PB's parent firm. Templeton was CEO of Minter Ellison Lawyers, a major regional law firm that specializes in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Daniel Barteluce has joined Seattle architect Callison as principal, following its Dec. 16, 2011, acquisition of Barteluce Architects & Associates, New York City. He was that firm's CEO. Callison ranks at No. 120 on ENR's Top 500 Design Firms.

Greenhorne & O'Mara, a Laurel. Md., consultant, has named Joseph T. Skinner president and CEO. Formerly a regional vice president based in Raleigh, N.C., he succeeds Brandon R. Smith, who is retiring in 2012.

Littlejohn Engineering Associates, Nashville, has hired Joe Carpenter as director of transportation. He was the Tennessee Dept. of Transportation's assistant commissioner of environment and planning as well as assistant chief engineer.

David Hanitchak has joined architect NBBJ, Seattle, as a principal and health-care practice leader. He had been, since 1999, director of planning and construction at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital, New England's largest hospital. He also was executive director of its Lunder building, an NBBJ-designed facility that opened in 2011. Hanitchak is based in Cambridge, Mass.

Brown and Caldwell, Walnut Creek, Calif., has hired Steve Gates as senior vice president of design-build services, based in Boston. He previously led marketing and sales for the energy, environment and infrastructure unit of SAIC and now heads Brown and Caldwell project delivery operations in the eastern U.S.

Luis Lugo Jr. has rejoined construction management firm PACO Group, New York City, as president and chief operating officer. Most recently, he was vice president in the Northeast project management group at Hill International.

Darwin L. Nelson has been promoted to group president of the federal services group at CDM Smith. Formerly senior vice president and regional manager, he is based in Denver.