Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
In early September, Merrill native Brandon Maurisak was named to the “Top 40 Under 40” list by Mass Transit Magazine, for his accomplishments and success in the transit industry. According to Mass Transit Magazine, the annual listing recognizes 40 individuals who have shown a capacity for innovation, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to making an impact in transit.
As part of Mass Transit Magazine’s review; Maurisak was described by colleagues as “Steadily reliable, dedicated and eternally upbeat, qualities that bode well in the transit industry, where major transit projects can take decades between initial planning and opening day.”
Son of Mark and Denise Maurisak of Merrill and a 2005 graduate of Merrill High School, Maurisak is employed as a Senior Transit Engineer for Los Angeles-based AECOM (Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations, and Maintenance) a premier infrastructure firm, ranked in the Fortune 500 as one of the nation’s largest companies.
Maurisak has been employed with AECOM since May of 2013, and is currently a Line Section Manager of a 4.5-mile segment of a proposed $2.8 billion extension of Portland, Oregon’s light rail transit system. One of many Maurisak’s responsibilities is providing oversight of the design process, including leading coordination between technical disciplines and direct-plan development.
Brandon holds engineering licensure in Oregon and Minnesota.
“I was incredibly honored to learn one of my colleagues felt I was worthy of being selected for this reocgniton,” Maurisak explains.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities I have been given while working in this field.”
As part of an interview with Mass Transit Magazine Executive Editor Mischa Wanek-Libman in September, Maurisak cites the public interaction aspect, as a highlight of his career.
“I’ve been fortunate to work on transit projects across the country, and I enjoy interacting with the public about the projects in the community. Whether it’s teaching a child about what the construction workers are doing on the station renovation in their neighborhood, or discussing future projects with neighbors during project open-houses, it’s energizing to discuss projects that I’ve worked on with people who are engaged in their communities.”
While attending Merrill High School, Maurisak was active in a variety of activities, including serving as student council president and serving as a student representative on the MAPS Board of Education. Brandon also garnered varsity letters in hockey (Manager), Kemo (Editor in Chief) and band (jazz, concert, and marching band)
Following graduation, Maurisak attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, majoring in Civil Engineering.
“I chose Michigan Tech based the tight-knit campus community and the university’s strong background in science, technology, and engineering,” Maurisak adds.
Upon graduation from Michigan Tech in 2010, Maurisak earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and is also a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association’s Emerging Leaders Program.
As for how Mr. Maurisak came to decide on his chosen career path, he mentions several factors, including a particular childhood memory while growing up on Riverside Avenue.
“My childhood home was on Riverside Avenue in Merrill and I remember very well; the construction of the new South Center Avenue Bridge,” he explains.
“I grew up watching this massive concrete bridge being built, piece by piece. Even though I was pretty young at the time, I remember wondering how that bridge came to be. I remember watching the workers out there and wondering how was it designed? What was it made of?” Maurisak adds.
“Watching the bridge being built played a part for me in becoming an engineer along with the support of my family and teachers at Merrill High School. My parents were always very supportive and gave me the freedom to explore different ideas and careers. My teachers at Merrill High School were always very supportive as well.”
Brandon Maurisak resides in Portland, OR with his wife Lindsey Goss-Maurisak.
Mass Transit Magazines’s “40 under 40” feature of Maurisak can be found here: https://www.masstransitmag.com/40-under-40/article/21093093/2019-top-40-under-40-brandon-m-maurisak-pe