Nathan Mozeleski – ITS leader in multi-state technology program management and workforce development

Based in AtkinsRéalis’ Orlando office, he leads a high-performing team of over fifteen professionals throughout Florida, while mentoring junior engineers across the country. His ITS experience has made him a trusted advisor to public agencies and internal teams, and he currently manages over $20 million in professional services contracts for clients including the Florida and New Jersey Departments of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Mozeleski’s project portfolio spans multiple states, with work supporting Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas and others. He served as the technical design lead for New Jersey’s Route 1/295 Smart and Connected Corridors project, which won ITSNJ’s “Statewide Outstanding Project” award. His leadership extends to the ACEC-FL Liaison Committee, where he serves as Technology Chair, helping to bridge conversations between industry experts and agency leadership about emerging technologies and their role in transportation.

How has your career challenged you?

Mozeleski points to time management as her most persistent challenge: balancing perfectionism with the reality of workload and personal well-being. Staying organized, delegating effectively, and learning when to say no have helped you maintain a healthier balance. “Long vacations to see the world also help,” he adds.

What has been your favorite project?

It highlights the rollout of 153 miles of ITS along I-10 between Jacksonville and Tallahassee, a major project for the Florida Department of Transportation. The effort filled the last remaining gap in the state’s limited-access highway network and installed fiber optics, field devices and real-time monitoring systems to improve safety and traveler information. The key aspects of leading what was then the largest stand-alone ITS project in Florida remain a defining experience.

What is the best career advice you have received?

“Be exceptionally good at being yourself,” Mozeleski says. This orientation has shaped the way he approaches problem solving and leadership: building on personal strengths, challenging assumptions, and seeking innovative solutions rather than replicating the styles of others.

What advice do you have for young professionals?

He encourages engineers to keep an open and flexible mind, especially early in their careers. Opportunities to travel, take on new responsibilities, pivot technically or commit to major projects help broaden experience. “Each opportunity expands your depth and breadth of knowledge,” he says.

What is the best part of your job?

For Mozeleski, the answer is simple: the people. He values ​​the relationships built with colleagues and customers working to improve transportation systems across the country. “If you surround yourself with good people, work feels less like a job and more like a calling,” he says.