About United ECM
At the heart of our success is our team of subject matter experts, with a wealth of experience in leading some of the most complex transit programs around the world. Our experts bring a significant understanding of the challenges associated with the construction of high-speed and electrified transit systems, allowing us to provide the best solutions to our clients. Our technical expertise include the construction and maintenance of track, traction power, 25kV OCS, SCADA and comms, train control and substations (AC&DC). We are well informed with lessons learned from projects around the world including California High Speed Rail, Caltrain Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project, Network Rail High Output Track Renewals Program and Systems Integration at Los Angeles World Airport People Mover. In an era marked by technological advancements, United ECM remains at the forefront of innovation in transit systems. The company continually integrates cutting-edge solutions and best practices into its oversight approach, ensuring that clients benefit from the latest developments in the field.
About United ECM
At the heart of our success is our team of subject matter experts, with a wealth of experience in leading some of the most complex transit programs around the world. Our experts bring a significant understanding of the challenges associated with the construction of high-speed and electrified transit systems, allowing us to provide the best solutions to our clients. Our technical expertise include the construction and maintenance of track, traction power, 25kV OCS, SCADA and comms, train control and substations (AC&DC). We are well informed with lessons learned from projects around the world including California High Speed Rail, Caltrain Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project, Network Rail High Output Track Renewals Program and Systems Integration at Los Angeles World Airport People Mover. In an era marked by technological advancements, United ECM remains at the forefront of innovation in transit systems. The company continually integrates cutting-edge solutions and best practices into its oversight approach, ensuring that clients benefit from the latest developments in the field.
United ECM Leadership Team
Scott Richards PMP, DBIA, CCM
Scott is President of United ECM with over 17 years of experience delivering major electrified transit programs across the US and UK. He began his career on major track and systems renewal programs in the UK and has almost two decades of experience in Owner’s Engineer roles. Summoned for his highly-specialized expertise, Scott arrived in the US in 2019 to lead traction power construction and maintenance programs across the Bay Area.
United ECM’s success is owed in part to Scott’s holistic view of track and systems programs that leverages his construction knowledge to optimize full-project lifecycle value. He is solution-driven and thrives on challenges, innovative concepts, and unconventional thinking. Scott brings lessons learned from major systems and projects in Europe and consistently delivers innovative solutions that provide lifecycle advantages to transit agencies in the US.
Since the inception of United ECM, Scott has led the business to help deliver several billion-dollar transit programs including the Caltrain PCEP, LAX APM, and other track and traction power programs through California.
Ammar Alsarabi PE, PMP
Ammar is the Principal Systems Engineer for United ECM, supporting multiple transit systems across the US including large systems programs in the Bay Area. His deep technical knowledge in electrified systems design makes him a valuable asset to high-profile federal and private programs. Ammar’s specialty expertise spans system integration, traction power, OCS, SCADA, testing, commissioning, design, and construction management. He has a wealth of experience in owner’s engineer roles spanning both coasts of the US.
Ammar is involved with the IEEE Traction Power Committee, part of working groups to deliver specific standards, including IEEE 1653.3-2021 Rail Transit Traction Power Systems Modeling.
Phil Gilmour CEng CMgr FCMI MIET
An experienced Director in the rail-engineering, infrastructure, and commercial markets, Phil has been at the forefront of driving innovative solutions to meet the challenging demands of urban-mobility. He is highly respected for his expertise in the fields of Traction Power, Overhead Contact Systems (OCS), and Systems Integration, appointed to critical projects shaping modern infrastructure in the US and Europe. He is a sought-after speaker, delivering lectures at institutions such as Stanford University.
Phil’s impressive infrastructure track record as Engineering Lead on several multi-billion dollar rail projects includes the California High- Speed Rail Project (CHSR) and the Northwest Electrification Project. His leadership has set a standard for excellence on the projects he has served, in part because of his strength in building highly-functional teams. Phil assembled and grew a multi-disciplined, rail design team into a $20-million-per-year business in just 5 years. His leadership style cultivates collaboration and leverages the latest technologies to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency in service of his client’s goals.
Million Tadese
Million Tadese is an exceptional mechanical engineer with extensive expertise in transit and traction power. His valuable experience in the field has equipped him with a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles and their application in the realm of transit systems. Million has been a part of United ECM from the early stages of the business and has an instrumental member of the team through the growth and progression our firm.
His major projects have included the Track and Systems Replacement Program at BART and BART’s traction power Core Capacity upgrades, providing field inspection oversight and oversight of the contractor.
Million earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UC Davis. This educational background has provided Million with a solid foundation, enhancing his ability to tackle complex challenges in the field shown though his proven track record.
Watt Lei EIT
Watt Lei is a civil engineer with a wealth of experience in construction and project management working with several transit agencies on the delivery of major track, systems and civil engineering programs including San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and San Francisco Airport (SFO) People Mover.
Watt is currently serving as a Project Manager at United ECM, responsible for the oversight of our Bay Area team and the delivery of major transit programs with United ECM, its partners and clients.
Watt Lei obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from San Jose University, and is working towards his California Professional Engineers License. Watt brings a wealth of knowledge to the field, and is an instrumental leader at the business.
Erlan Gomez
Erlan is a motivated and highly-effective leader with a background in transportation systems engineering and 20 years managing multidisciplinary teams that specialize in design, product development, integration, testing, and commissioning of large-scale, complex projects. He has a proven track record in the execution of projects from ideation and design to streamlined delivery. Erlan is adept in creating strategic alliances throughout an organization’s leadership to effectively align with and support key business initiatives. Deploying his relationship-based leadership style, he interacts with team members and stakeholders to understand pain points and come up with detailed solutions to address them, resulting in overall process and project improvements.
Erlan gained significant relevant experience in his four years at Iteris leading ITS integration and his six years as Principal Systems Engineer with Transcore where he oversaw the conceptualization, design, deployment, and integration of intelligent transportation software, communication networks, and surveillance systems for all West Coast projects. The depth and breadth of his experience and technical knowledge, combined with his keen leadership, elevate the quality and professionalism of his projects.
Wayne Richardson
Wayne brings specialized rail expertise with more than three decades of experience working on high-profile, multi-disciplinary rail projects that are shaping modern infrastructure standards across the US and the UK. His industry contributions have focused on traction power construction programs—particularly HV substation and third rail systems.
As an accomplished rail professional, Wayne is sought for his expertise in third rail construction, HV substation construction, SCADA systems, 34.5kV IDS installations, 1kV DC MDS installations, site survey work, design management, constructability reviews, and subsequent testing and commissioning. He is experienced delivering work within shutdowns and safe clearance areas.
Wayne’s impressive track record on several iconic rail projects includes the California High-Speed Rail Project (CHSR), London Victoria High- Voltage Substations Renewal, and the Gatwick Station & Brighton Mainline Upgrade which delivered vast improvements in track layout, signaling, and traction power for one of the UK’s busiest stations outside London.
Ahmad Alsarabi PMP
Ahmad has over 15 years of project management experience in driving projects and leading cross-functional teams to consistently meet key program deliverables and maintain high levels of client satisfaction. He drives projects to successful completion throughout the entire life cycle from pre-construction to close out of each project by planning, monitoring, and supervising on-site construction engineering and administration activities.
He is a certified project management professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Ahmad currently leads the role of operations project manager for United ECM, working as part of the leadership focused on business growth, operations and strategy.
John Webber CEng MIET
John is a qualified Chartered Engineer/Project Manager with over 20 years of transportation project experience in rail, highways, and airport systems packages spanning the disciplines of construction, design, design management, testing and commissioning, and project management. He is experienced in the successful delivery of several multi-disciplinary projects from inception to completion, working to tight timescales and budgets.
John is a diligent engineer and project manager with a masterful attention to detail who can be relied upon to ensure all design deliverables are in accordance with standards, specifications, and within the project schedule. John’s expertise in design management and verification and validation processes has made him instrumental to the successful delivery and commissioning of iconic and transformational rail projects across the UK and US.
Phil Gilmour CEng CMgr FCMI MIET
An experienced Director in the rail-engineering, infrastructure, and commercial markets, Phil has been at the forefront of driving innovative solutions to meet the challenging demands of urban-mobility. He is highly respected for his expertise in the fields of Traction Power, Overhead Contact Systems (OCS), and Systems Integration, appointed to critical projects shaping modern infrastructure in the US and Europe. He is a sought-after speaker, delivering lectures at institutions such as Stanford University.
Phil’s impressive infrastructure track record as Engineering Lead on several multi-billion dollar rail projects includes the California High- Speed Rail Project (CHSR) and the Northwest Electrification Project. His leadership has set a standard for excellence on the projects he has served, in part because of his strength in building highly-functional teams. Phil assembled and grew a multi-disciplined, rail design team into a $20-million-per-year business in just 5 years. His leadership style cultivates collaboration and leverages the latest technologies to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency in service of his client’s goals.
Denise Allen
Denise Allen is a seasoned professional in the realm of executive support and office management, bringing a wealth of experience to her role as an executive assistant. Denise plays a pivotal role in optimizing efficiency and organizational effectiveness within the United ECM Business.
She has a strong background in assisting high-level executives and overseeing day-to-day office operations, giving her a wealth of experience in her support role to the executive and leadership teams at United ECM.