Faces of Ardmore Roderick: Riley White, Engineer III | Transportation

At Ardmore Roderick, our people are at the center of everything we do. Faces of Ardmore Roderick highlights the individuals behind the work, sharing the experiences and perspectives that shape how we serve our clients and communities.

Riley White is an Engineer III in our Civil Transportation group, where he supports Phase I and II design services for clients including the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Tollway.

Riley’s path into engineering started with a simple idea that stuck.

“A teacher in high school described engineers as professional problem solvers. I’ve always loved puzzles and brain teasers, so it felt like the perfect fit.”

Nearly seven years into his career, Riley knows he made the right choice.

He is especially drawn to projects that create lasting impact for communities.

“I love any project where we can reimagine a space and improve it for the community long after construction is complete.”

Riley has contributed to projects like the Commercial Avenue corridor, where his team worked to make the area more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly while improving overall comfort and accessibility. These types of projects, where design helps slow traffic and prioritize people, are especially meaningful to him.

He is currently looking forward to the next opportunity to make that impact, as part of the team leading a new CDOT project along 26th Street.

“We get to do similar work again, but this time as the prime consultant leading the charge. I’m incredibly excited to get started.”

Growth and adaptability are a constant in Riley’s role. With every project comes the opportunity to learn something new.

“In the past year, I went from knowing very little about environmental permitting to presenting on the topic for IDOT.”

It’s that kind of rapid growth, and the support behind it, that stands out most.

“It can be challenging at times, but I’m part of a team that supports each other. We’re always learning together to meet and exceed client expectations.”

Outside of work, Riley enjoys cooking as a way to recharge.

“One of my favorite ways to destress is trying a new recipe or experimenting with whatever ingredients I have on hand-anything from simple rice and beans to lasagna soup.”

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This is just the beginning. Through Faces of Ardmore Roderick, we’ll continue to spotlight the people who bring our work to life-sharing the stories behind the projects, the growth behind the careers, and the passion behind our impact.