AECOM's People Spotlight series provides an inside look at the company's technical experts working around the world.
Meet AECOM Associate Vice President of Strategic Client Services from the company's Water business in the USA East region, Kaye Bealer.
Discover how Kaye and her team use an AI-based approach to help Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) improve sewer inspection programs and integrate equity into infrastructure needs assessments, and learn more about Kaye's AECOM career and inspirations.
An experienced professional in utility management
Based in Pittsburgh in the United States, Kaye has more than 20 years of experience in utility management. She has worked alongside major municipal clients across the USA, helping them with financial planning, operational analysis, infrastructure funding strategies and rate affordability studies.
Kaye connects AECOM's water clients to the latest digital transformation tools and supports them in achieving their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments.
Focusing on finance and economics within infrastructure
Kaye explains that she attended a college career fair where a small consulting firm introduced her to the world of finance and economics within infrastructure. The idea of consulting and using financial metrics in this context really piqued Kaye's interest.
"It offered the opportunity to work with different clients, travel and explore different industries. Consulting seemed so glamorous — big business, exciting opportunities that were far more interesting than the offers my friends were getting. That’s what drew me in and got me started on this career path," recalls Kaye.
Improving sewer infrastructure management
Kaye shares that her favorite AECOM project that she has worked on is the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) Regionalization initiative in Pennsylvania, which focuses on improving sewer infrastructure management.
As program managers, Kaye and her team oversee the voluntary transfer of around 200 miles of large municipal sewers, along with pumping stations and storage tanks, to ALCOSAN. This project is about more than just infrastructure, it’s a blend of innovation, equity and sustainability.
"We guide ALCOSAN from a policy level, advising them as they acquire regionalized assets and incorporate them into their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). We’re using cutting-edge AI technology to assess asset conditions and improve the speed and accuracy of sewer inspection programs — an innovation I’m really excited about," comments Kaye.
"Additionally, we’ve developed an equity tool that adds a new dimension to how projects are prioritized. This allows us to integrate equity into needs assessments and asset management, helping us make more informed and fair decisions. It’s a holistic approach that supports not only infrastructure improvements, but also ensures historically underrepresented communities get the resources and investment they deserve."
"Before this program, multiple municipalities managed the sewers, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies. By centralizing the system, we’ve created a more unified and effective management structure, benefitting the community and the environment. I love seeing how our role as program managers — providing design services, policy guidance, and social equity advice — is making a tangible impact," adds Kaye.
Long-term environmental, economic and social benefits
For two decades, AECOM has managed a series of comprehensive upgrades to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) in Washington, D.C. AECOM's role involved master planning, concept design, detailed design, construction management, commissioning and subsequent operation and maintenance training at what is now the largest plant of its kind in the world.
"The upgrades to the Blue Plains AWWTP have greatly benefited the local community in several ways. The plant now meets some of the nation’s strictest effluent standards, significantly reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels, which is crucial for protecting the Chesapeake Bay. The plant also generates 10 megawatt of green electricity and produces high-quality Class A biosolids, contributing to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. Reusing biosolids as fertilizer promotes nutrient recycling and reduces the environmental impact associated with waste disposal," explains Kaye.
"In addition to these environmental gains, the project has positively impacted public health by ensuring the release of cleaner, safer water into local bodies, while also boosting the local economy by creating jobs and offering potential revenue through green energy and biosolid reuse. The upgrades have enhanced operational efficiency, allowing the plant to handle extreme weather conditions more reliably, and reduced overall costs. Moreover, the plant serves as an educational hub, engaging the community and promoting environmental awareness. Together, these advancements offer long-term environmental, economic and social benefits for the region."
Some impactful career advice
As a piece of career advice, Kaye highlights the importance of being open to trying new things.
"Sometimes, figuring out what you don’t like is just as important as finding what you do. It’s important to take chances and be willing to explore paths that might not seem obvious at first," says Kaye. "It may not be part of your original plan, but there’s nothing wrong with stepping outside your comfort zone to discover something new."
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