In the shadow of Daytona International Speedway

International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) has always played an important role in the economy, identity, and community of Daytona Beach and Volusia County as a whole. In order to ensure the proper evolution of the ISB corridor as the community around it grows,

Maryam Ghyabi began in 2007 to promote the creation of a coalition of local stakeholders to oversee the developmental needs of ISB. In 2008, with the blessings and support of city and county managers, the ISB Coalition was formally created as a mixture of public and private entities that all have a vested interest in the sustainable development of infrastructure around the corridor.

During 2009, Ghyabi and the ISB Coalition were able to secure a $300,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to perform a concept study of the ISB Corridor. Volusia County Government is concerned with the quality of ISB as a gateway and its impact on the appeal of commercial lands at Daytona Beach International Airport, something this study has looked to address.

The ISB Coalition meets regularly at the International Motorsports Center, located off of International Speedway Boulevard and across from famed Daytona International Speedway.

Young engineers add dynamics to G+A

G+A has a high-energy corporate culture. Adding to the flow of adrenaline in the organization is the work of two of its young team members, Katie Widdeson and Mason Raguse, E. I.

As well-accomplished professionals, both bring vitality, innovation and creativity to G+A. Katie is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and soon will sit for her Engineering Intern exam. She works in the Ormond Beach office on transportation related design-build projects and assists with planning studies.

Mason, a graduate of Michigan Technological University, works in the Jacksonville office. His work includes master planning for pedestrian road safety studies, corridor master management plans, equivalent single-axel load analysis (ESAL) and level-of-service analysis (LOS). As an Engineering Intern, he is working toward his Professional Engineer degree. “Katie and Matt are talented professionals who add a vital dynamic to our team,” said CEO Maryam Ghyabi.

Twenty years in the blink of an eye!

G+A is celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year. It’s hard to believe, but the firm has built a voluminous portfolio of transportation, engineering and planning projects.
The firm was established in 1995 by Maryam Ghyabi, a young woman with an engineering degree, entrepreneurial instincts and a deep love of her community. Since that time, she and her colleagues have earned a reputation for excellence in transportation engineering, civil engineering, planning and much more. The firm serves much of Florida from its offices in Ormond Beach, Jacksonville and Orlando. Watch for details of G+A’s 20th anniversary celebration to be held in the 4th quarter.

Meanwhile, if you were wondering what the landscape looked like in 1995:

20 years ago…
Time flies. Think back to 1995 and you will remember:
Bill Clinton was President of the United States
John Delaney was Mayor of Jacksonville
Bill Frederick was Mayor of Orlando
Bud Asher was Mayor of Daytona Beach
Lawton Chiles was Governor of Florida
Richard Kelton was Volusia County’s Acting Manager
Fred Costello was Mayor of Ormond Beach
And just for kicks, gas was just a little over a buck a gallon!

Former Volusia County Council Chair Patricia Northey Joins Ghyabi & Associates as Project Manager

Patricia Northey, who recently wrapped up a twenty-year tenure as a member of the Volusia County Council has accepted a position as Project Manager with Ghyabi & Associates, an engineering and planning firm with offices throughout Central and North Florida.

“We are especially pleased to welcome Pat Northey to our executive team,” said Maryam Ghyabi, CEO of the firm. “Throughout her career, Pat’s vision for our community and all of Central Florida has been the impetus for positive change in the areas of transportation, the environment, recreation and economic development. She will continue to work for better communities in her new assignment.”

Northey twice served as Chair of the Volusia County Council and twice served as its Vice Chair. She was feted last week at her final meeting as a Council Member, with colleagues and residents recalling her many contributions to county government.  During her tenure, she also chaired the Tourist Development Council, the Transportation Planning Organization, the St. Johns River Alliance and president of the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia County. Her community service brought leadership awards from the Rotary Club, Healthy Start, Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of Arts & Sciences and more.  

“I am proud to join the Ghyabi & Associates team,” said Northey. “This is a company that has contributed mightily to the community in transportation engineering and planning and has a passion for building a better future for residents and visitors alike. My role will be to help facilitate those improvements through planning and implantation of selected projects that require collaboration and multi jurisdictional involvement. There are so many exciting things on the drawing board.”

Northey served as the District 5 County Council Member and is well known among environmental planners, transportation officials, business and government leaders. “Pat has represented the County in many regional forums and will continue her involvement throughout Florida from her new perspective in the private sector,” said Ghyabi.

About Ghyabi & Associates
Ghyabi & Associates is engaged in planning, land development, civil engineering, transportation engineering and construction inspection. The firm maintains offices in Ormond Beach, Orlando and Jacksonville.   

For more information contact:

Maryam Ghyabi: 386.677.5499, ext. 222
mghyabi@ghyabi.com