Michael Baker's Indiana Gambit: Why a Public Sector Vet is Key to Growth

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – June 23, 2026 – In a move that signals a sharpened focus on the American heartland, global engineering and consulting giant Michael Baker International has appointed Jeremy Hunter, a long-time veteran of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), as its new Indianapolis Office Executive. While executive appointments are routine, this one represents a calculated play in the high-stakes game of infrastructure development, positioning the firm to capitalize on a wave of regional investment by embedding deep public-sector DNA into its private-sector operations.

Hunter's mandate is clear: provide operational leadership, steer project delivery, and, most critically, leverage his extensive network to accelerate growth across Indiana and the Great Lakes. For a firm with over 6,000 employees and a footprint spanning 120 offices, the appointment is less about filling a seat and more about acquiring a strategic key—one that could unlock a new level of partnership with state and local agencies.

A Strategic Play for Indiana's Future

Jeremy Hunter is not just another experienced engineer. His 27-year career is a near-perfect blend of public-sector leadership and private-sector execution. His more than 12 years at INDOT saw him rise through the ranks to hold critical positions, including Chief Engineer and Managing Director of Asset Management. This tenure wasn't spent behind a desk; it was on the front lines of some of Indiana's most significant infrastructure challenges and successes.

During his time as a leader within the state's bridge programs, Indiana maintained a remarkable record, with 94% of its bridges rated in good or fair condition, a figure that consistently surpasses the national average. Colleagues from that time note his collaborative approach and deep expertise in asset preservation. He also served as the INDOT business owner for nationally recognized research projects with Purdue University, exploring innovations in pedestrian safety and advanced bridge repair using fiber-reinforced polymers. This background provides him with an intimate, ground-level understanding of an agency’s long-term goals, maintenance cycles, and innovation priorities—knowledge that is invaluable to a consulting firm.

"Jeremy's deep experience leading complex projects and programs, combined with his longstanding relationships with Departments of Transportation and firsthand public-sector leadership, make him exceptionally well positioned to lead our Indianapolis office," said Paul Gluck, Great Lakes Regional Director at Michael Baker International, in the official announcement. Gluck highlighted Hunter's proven ability to "translate agency priorities into effective strategies and foster strong partnerships that drive long-term results."

This is the crux of the strategy. By bringing Hunter aboard, Michael Baker isn't just hiring a manager; it's onboarding a translator who speaks the language of government agencies fluently. This insight is critical for navigating procurement processes, aligning proposals with state-level strategic plans like INDOT's "Next Level Roads" program, and building the trust necessary for long-term, collaborative projects.

Blueprint for Great Lakes Dominance

Hunter's appointment is a pivotal move, but it's part of a much larger strategic blueprint Michael Baker International is executing across the Great Lakes. The region, with its 16 offices, is a clear priority for the firm as it positions itself to capture a significant share of the historic infrastructure funding flowing from the federal government.

The $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) has allocated unprecedented sums for modernizing America's roads, bridges, water systems, and ports. The Great Lakes region is a primary beneficiary, with an estimated $188 billion needed for water infrastructure alone over the next two decades and a landmark $1 billion infusion into the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This funding creates a massive pipeline of projects in environmental remediation, transportation modernization, and climate resilience—all sweet spots for Michael Baker's core service verticals: Infrastructure, Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA), and Mitigation, Environmental, Resiliency, Response and Recovery (MER3).

The firm has been methodically strengthening its regional arsenal. Recent strategic hires, such as Ramez Butros to lead the Aviation practice across the Great Lakes, demonstrate a commitment to deepening expertise in key market segments. Furthermore, a series of acquisitions in 2024—including Digital Data Technologies and MLU Services—bolstered its capabilities in GovTech and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions, transforming it into what it calls a "full-service engineering and consulting firm."

Hunter's role is to be the on-the-ground catalyst for the company's "One Michael Baker" integrated service model, ensuring these diverse capabilities are cohesively delivered to clients in Indiana and beyond. His leadership is expected to be the connective tissue between the firm's national expertise and the specific needs of regional agencies.

The Revolving Door of Innovation

Hunter's transition from a high-ranking public official to a private-sector executive exemplifies a powerful trend shaping the infrastructure industry. The movement of seasoned leaders from government to consulting is often viewed cynically, but from a business and innovation perspective, it serves as a vital bridge between two worlds that desperately need each other.

Public agencies possess the mandate and the long-term vision for community infrastructure, but they often face bureaucratic hurdles and resource constraints. Private firms bring agility, specialized technology, and access to a global talent pool. When a leader like Hunter crosses over, they carry with them an invaluable understanding of public-sector pain points, funding mechanisms, and political realities. This allows the private firm to move beyond a transactional, project-by-project relationship to become a true strategic partner, co-creating solutions rather than just responding to RFPs.

For the individual, the move can be equally compelling. Speaking about a previous career transition, one industry insider familiar with Hunter's thinking noted that leaders of his caliber are drawn to cultures built on "transparency, vision, and genuine passion." They seek environments where they are empowered with trust and flexibility. This highlights a critical lesson for firms competing for top talent: a strong balance sheet is not enough. A culture of professional respect and shared values is what attracts and retains leaders who can make a transformative impact.

This cross-pollination ultimately accelerates innovation. A leader who understands both the regulatory constraints of a DOT and the technological capabilities of a firm like Michael Baker—which recently launched 'Titan,' its proprietary enterprise AI platform—is uniquely positioned to identify practical, cutting-edge solutions that are both ambitious and achievable.

By appointing Jeremy Hunter, Michael Baker International has done more than fill a leadership role. It has made a strategic investment in institutional knowledge and relational capital. As Indiana continues work on major projects like Clear Path 465 and the I-69 Finish Line, and as the broader Great Lakes region prepares to deploy billions in federal funding, the firm is now better positioned not just to compete for contracts, but to help shape the very future of the region's infrastructure.