Associates of Wooster - Josh Haydo, P.E., PTOE

If you have worked on any commercial or residential developments in western PA in the past decade or so, then you likely have worked with Josh Haydo, Wooster’s Senior Traffic Engineer and Deputy COO. 

Josh has been the champion of safety for drivers and pedestrians in our new and legacy communities of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virgina, and is officially licensed as a Professional Engineer in fourteen states. 

Day-to-day, Josh and his team analyze projects and provide comprehensive recommendations for ways to incorporate roadway and pedestrian improvements to the developing area.

A major part of Josh’s role is educating municipalities and other stakeholders – such as community members, business owners, and political leaders – on how proposed developments and associated improvements will benefit the community. 

Josh recently attended the Great Lakes ITE Annual Meeting in Green Bay, WI, and was inspired by hearing the Green Bay Packers discuss their traffic plans for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft ahead of Pittsburgh hosting the festivities in 2026.

Read on below about Josh’s time with Wooster and how he finds inspiration in starting and completing new projects in and around his own hometown in western PA and surrounding states.

How long have you been at Wooster?   

JH: Since January 2013. Hard to believe I have been with Wooster for over a decade.  I’ve enjoyed seeing the steady growth of partnerships and our employees. 

What was your formal training to prepare you for this role? 

JH: I have a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!

To stay current with industry requirements and trends, I participate in ongoing education courses and seminars. Recently, we traveled to Green Bay for the Great Lakes ITE Annual

It was an opportunity to meet our partners in that area while earning continuing education credits and seeing some really cool new technology. We toured Lambeau Field and learned firsthand from the Green Bay Packers how they are preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s exciting that Pittsburgh will host the 2026 NFL Draft right next to Wooster’s new office on the North Shore. 

What has been your favorite part of your career? Your job?   

JH: Making the transition from highway design at my first job in Virginia to traffic operations in Pittsburgh, which is what led me to Wooster. My favorite part of my job is seeing projects that I studied all over the place, everywhere I go. I really enjoy contributing to revitalizing areas and helping improve what infrastructure is already there.

Any major turning points to your career?   

The switch from highway design to traffic was almost entirely because I wanted to return to Pittsburgh to be close to my family…and because I just missed this town.  Moving into Traffic was a little scary, because didn’t have a ton of real-world experience when I first interviewed at Wooster. But it turned out to be the best career decision I ever made.

Favorite Wooster project?   

The Sheetz in Ellwood City, because it’s my hometown. Ellwood City is a legacy town, and there aren’t lot of new developments in the area, so I was excited to study and design improvements in an area that I knew so well. 

It was fun to see former neighbors, teachers, and classmates participating in the local meetings and, eventually, at the grand opening. Connecting with those folks is a very rewarding part of the job, regardless of the area.

Where are you from?   

Ellwood City, PA. For those who aren’t familiar with that area, it’s about an hour north of Pittsburgh. As more folks relocate to Pennsylvania, it’s great to see my hometown attract new businesses and families, and to be able to help grow my local area from a professional standpoint through my work at Wooster & Associates. 

Who has been a source of inspiration for you? 

My mom. I love my job and what I do, but that comes with highs and lows from day to day because not everything goes smoothly. My mom reminds me that it’s great to love what you do, but that there’s also more to life than work – for better or worse!

Favorite Wooster event? 

Lunchtime Pirate games at PNC Park. We’ve been going to at least one game as a team each season, and it’s the perfect way to bond with my coworkers and enjoy our great city. With Wooster’s office relocating to the North Shore at the end of this year, I’m even more excited about cheering on the Pirates from right across the street!

What brings you joy outside of work? 

Running and biking in downtown Pittsburgh! It’s fun to explore the city from a two-wheel perspective. Bonus: trying new places to eat! There are so many good places to eat in Pittsburgh.

What is your favorite motto? 

I once heard it said much more eloquently, but I was never able to find that exact phrasing again. But, basically, “the hardest part to finishing anything is getting started.” I often dread a task, but once I finally stop putting it off and just do it, it’s almost always easier than expected, and I regret spending so much time worrying about it. (Editor’s note: that’s the trouble of perfectionism...!)