About Us

DDEC is a traffic and transportation engineering firm that helps local governments achieve their transportation goals through the creation of connected, safe, and equitable communities.

Uyen Dang

Founder | Principal

Uyen Dang, PE

Professional engineer with over 15-year experience in transportation, streetscape, and livable communities. She was the City Traffic Engineer for the City of West Palm Beach and oversaw all transportation elements including transformative projects such as the Clematis Street Streetscape project and the Reimagine of Rosemary Square. She led in the City’s adoption of the City’s multimodal transportation program including the WPB Bicycle Masterplan, Vision Zero program, smart parking technology, and the micromobility program. In 2017, Uyen helped define the term “Mobility” through a range of transportation planning efforts such as the WPB Mobility Study, Downtown Parking Study, the Okeechobee Corridor Study, and the proposed ITC Mobility Hub.

Strategic Advisor

Scott Kelly, PE

Scott earned a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Scott is currently the President at Scott Kelly Consulting, LLC and is a strategic advisor to the DDEC team.

Marketing, Communications and Public Relations

Kathleen Walter, APIO

Kathleen Walter is a leading Vision Zero policy and program developer in West Palm Beach, Florida. With a career spanning over 25 years in communications, public relations, and marketing, Ms. Walter stands as a respected professional renowned for her unwavering commitment to enhancing public safety in communities and advancing the interests of local governments. Prior to serving as Senior Associate at DDEC, Kathleen served as Communications Director and Advisor to the Mayor in the City of West Palm Beach. There, Kathleen worked with Uyen to spearhead a Vision Zero policy, program, and education campaigns (events, media relations, digital communications, public involvement, outreach.) Kathleen’s expertise in road safety communications began at the Dori Saves Lives Foundation, where she served as Communications Director. She has directed or led several hundred communications campaigns, including transportation and project communications for FDOT. Her journey in the world of strategic communication is underpinned by an award-winning background as a media correspondent for WPTV Channel 5 and WPEC Channel 12. Kathleen has a mastery of both traditional and digital public relations strategies. She is a FEMA-certified Advanced PIO. Kathleen Walter is celebrated for her ability to synthesize complex information into compelling narratives that captivate audiences, solidify reputations, and foster lasting relationships. Kathleen holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature and an M.A. from Florida Atlantic University.
Project Engineer

Nhat Nguyen, EIT

Nhat Nguyen, an Engineer in Training (EIT) with a degree in Civil Engineering and Chemistry from Florida Atlantic University, stands out in the field of traffic engineering. His expertise spans from traffic analysis, safety studies, traffic calming, and the implementation of quick build initiatives. Nhat’s proficiency in technical standards and quantitative analysis, coupled with his skills in AutoCAD, enable him to contribute significantly to civil engineering projects. His unique blend of engineering and chemistry knowledge, along with his commitment to creating safer and more efficient transportation systems, makes him a valuable asset in the field.

Project Engineer

Marilyn Ventura, EIT

Marilyn is a transportation designer focused on solving complex design problems. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in International Affairs and Latin American Studies, she spent the early part of her career in Seville, Spain which led to her interest in transit and city transportation. She earned a second degree in Civil Engineering from Florida International University to continue her passion for urban transportation and mobility projects. She joined the DDEC team in August of 2022, aligning her passion and professional career with our mission to transform the way the world moves. Marilyn is fluent in Spanish and we look forward to her insight and dedication to our vision and supporting our clients.

Marilyn

Project Manager

Victor Cook IV

Victor Cook is an MBA graduate with a concentration in Project Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University. At DDEC, he serves on project teams as a coordinator managing traffic/transportation engineering and design projects, as well as Vision Zero and rail safety community engagement programs. He has experience in a number of different areas such as: data analysis, communication/relationship management, and project management. His familiarity with communication and visualization allows him to present complex data in an informative and visually pleasing format. His proficiency with communications and organization makes him a valuable asset to any project team.

Creative Lead | Visual Designer

Orlando Toro

Orlando is a digital artist with over 18 years of experience in visual arts, 3D Visualization, and various branches of design. With a professional understanding of city functionality and a passion for urbanism, he specializes in architectural design, visual communications, and research, leading the way in wayfinding, urban and landscaping design, and the creation of public spaces. As an immigrant, his work is driven by a passion for accessible design, freedom, dignity, and innovation, and he loves to create experiences that last forever. Bilingual in fluent English and native Spanish, He is highly skilled in client and customer relationships and can work effectively with extreme attention to detail on design projects.

Orlando
Katie

Engineer Intern

Kaitlyn Kahrim

Katie is a Mechanical Engineering student at Florida Atlantic University with a passion for both academia and entrepreneurship. As an intern at DDEC, she is currently working on an innovative urban design project called XwalkArt. This project involves crowdsourcing a national database for painted intersection or tactical urbanism projects, with the goal of highlighting the importance of safe streets. Through this project, Katie aims to bring national attention to the Federal Highway and promote the use of these types of projects on all streets. She is also researching the effectiveness of painted intersections in reducing crashes and gathering data on how many cities have implemented such projects. With her dedication to improving road safety through innovative design, Katie is a valuable addition to the DDEC team.

GIS Coordinator

Devin Hampton

Devin Hampton is a skilled GIS Planner and Project Manager with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is proficient in using ArcGIS to create accurate modeled representations of objects and features, as well as building, maintaining, and updating databases. Her skills are invaluable in various fields, including urban planning, safety campaigns, and community redevelopment. Additionally, she uses her geospatial data skills to help organizations better understand their customer base and target their marketing campaigns more effectively.

Devin