Balassone Joins PRIME AE as Senior VP of New England Operations

PRIME AE is pleased to announce that Franco Balassone, PE, CCM has joined the firm as Senior Vice President of New England Operations. He will manage PRIME AE’s Hartford, CT office and oversee regional pursuits in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Balassone will be responsible for overall client and project management, design, marketing, and business development for the New England Region. His focus will be on providing professional services for transportation and infrastructure projects in construction management and inspection; civil, structural, water, and wastewater engineering; architectural design; land surveying; and GIS and mapping.

Balassone brings 35 years of successful design and construction experience in both the public and private sectors, managing the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of major highways, bridges, buildings, rail, and marine projects. His extensive work includes managing multiple contracts for the Reconstruction of I-95 in Bridgeport, CT with a combined value of over $250M for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT); Program and Construction Management services for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) $1.2B Green Line Extension D-B project; Owner’s Representative for $250M D-B Reconstruction of Route 6 /10 Interchange in Providence for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT); and the $67M Resurfacing, Safety, and Bridge Improvements on Merritt Parkway for CTDOT.

Balassone comes to PRIME AE after spending time as President and CEO of a 500-person national and international firm where he was instrumental in increasing the firm’s presence in the Northeast region of the United States. Prior to this role, Balassone reviewed federally funded design and construction of major highway and bridge projects for the FHWA. He has managed major projects for NYSDOT, CTDOT, RIDOT, RITBA, MTA/Metro-North Railroad and the New York City Department of Sanitation, and served as Project Manager for numerous bridge inspection assignments for various transportation agencies in CT, RI, MA, and ME.

“Franco offers a wealth of experience in business development and operational practices that will enable us to better serve our clients as we concentrate on growing PRIME AE’s footprint in the Northeast.” said Kumar Buvanendaran, PE, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to have such a passionate and well-respected professional join the team.”

Balassone is a professional engineer licensed in 23 states and is a Certified Construction Manager. He earned his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Rhode Island. Balassone serves on the board for ACEC-CT and is a member of various professional organizations including ASCE, AGC, CMAA, WTS, and DBIA. He is an Army Veteran and an Eagle Scout.

Contact: fbalassone@primeeng.com or call 860.436.5600