Trailblazers

Sirisha Pillalamarri is an industry leader in transportation planning and the Principal of Transcend Engineers & Planners. Sirisha has extensive experience across Texas and the Midwest, and brings over two decades of expertise in shaping multimodal transportation systems that prioritize mobility, equity, and sustainability. Sirisha has led and contributed to a wide range of projects, including long-range transportation plans, traffic impact studies, corridor studies, transit planning, travel demand and simulation modeling, and access management strategies. Her deep technical knowledge is matched by her ability to develop stakeholder-ready tools such as evaluation matrices, alternative analyses, and prioritization frameworks. Sirisha is known for her skill in developing reliable traffic forecasts and building multimodal subarea travel demand models to support informed decision-making. Her work encompasses transit ridership forecasting, pedestrian and bicycle planning, parking demand analysis, HOV and express lane evaluations, and park-and-ride strategies. Sirisha’s leadership, technical depth, and collaborative approach make her a trusted advisor to agencies and communities working to create smarter, more connected transportation networks.

Raj Basavaraju is a recognized leader in traffic engineering with over 24 years of consulting experience across public and private sector projects. As the Owner and Principal Transportation Engineer at Transcend Engineers & Planners, Raj brings deep expertise in traffic operations, safety analysis, tolling systems, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). His technical strengths span the full spectrum of traffic engineering—from traffic forecasting, operational and safety analysis, and simulation modeling to signal timing, signal design, and traffic control planning. Raj has also led the development of ITS master plans, toll system strategies, and highway-rail grade crossing studies, delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance mobility and safety. Raj has successfully managed large on-call contracts and served as task lead on high-impact assignments for state DOTs, counties, and municipalities, where he oversaw everything from scoping and staffing to stakeholder coordination and technical reporting. In addition to his technical acumen, Raj is known for his strategic approach to business development, client service, and contract management. His ability to align engineering excellence with practical, forward-thinking solutions makes him a trusted advisor and a driving force in the transportation industry.

Sandra Ortiz is a seasoned business development and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience, including 14 years focused on the AEC industry. As Director of Business Development and Talent at Transcend Engineers & Planners, Sandra leads firm-wide growth initiatives across the drainage and transportation sectors, connecting strategic planning with impactful client engagement. She has successfully led targeted marketing campaigns, proposal development, and strategic pursuits that have elevated firm visibility and driven new business wins. Sandra is known for her ability to build strong relationships—with clients, partners, and internal teams alike—fostering collaboration and alignment across all levels. Her forward-thinking, people-first approach ensures Transcend is positioned for sustainable growth while delivering real value to clients and communities.

Pavan is a skilled Senior Project Engineer at Transcend with extensive experience in delivering innovative and data-driven transportation solutions. He has worked on a wide range of projects involving field investigations, traffic simulation modeling, capacity analysis, safety evaluations, and traffic signal operations. His technical expertise includes the development of microscopic simulation models, analysis of intersections, corridors, roundabouts, and managed lane facilities, as well as conducting both crash safety and predictive safety analyses. Pavan is also experienced in developing traffic forecasts and signal timing plans to optimize mobility and improve safety. In addition to his engineering work, Pavan brings strong communication skills and has participated in public outreach efforts, effectively translating complex transportation analyses into accessible insights for community members and stakeholders. At Transcend, Pavan plays a key role in evaluating alternatives to reduce congestion, enhance roadway safety, and ensure the delivery of well-informed, context-sensitive transportation designs.

Andrew Pagano is a highly accomplished Senior Planner with over 10 years of experience leading transformative planning initiatives at the community, regional, and state levels. His expertise spans strategic mobility planning, safety analysis, freight and transit studies, and GIS-based analytics, all grounded in a data-driven, results-oriented approach. Andrew has successfully led complex transportation and land use projects across Texas and nationally, consistently aligning technical analysis with long-term policy and infrastructure goals. He excels in developing key performance indicators (KPIs), performing in-depth infrastructure and safety assessments, and facilitating stakeholder and public engagement to ensure inclusive, actionable outcomes. Known for his ability to connect technical rigor with practical implementation, Andrew has played a critical role in advancing freight resiliency strategies, multimodal corridor planning, and vision-driven transportation solutions that support equity, sustainability, and economic growth. Andrew’s collaborative mindset and strategic foresight make him a trusted leader in planning for resilient, future-ready transportation systems.