History
WDM USA’s Parent Company, W.D.M. Limited, was founded in 1945 by the late Chairman, Mr. L.A.J. Gardiner, MBE, to provide engineering support for industry and government.
It expanded rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, designing, manufacturing and installing high-energy physics, high vacuum, remote and mechanical handling, hypersonic wind tunnel and gas purification equipment.
WDM USA’s innovative development and manufacture of the SCRIM® road survey vehicle, for the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, proved to be a watershed in the Company’s development.
Since 1972, its research and development team has used its unrivalled experience and technical expertise to increase the range of advanced technology equipment, software and road surveying services.
The 1970s saw the growth of a Survey Services Department, using the Company’s equipment to provide high quality road condition assessments. Additional expertise was developed in manual inventory, road condition and road safety surveys using hand-held computers.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Company introduced a Consultancy Service to provide a complete road monitoring and road maintenance management service for UK and international clients.
The development of the international role of the Company continued during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2017, the SCRIM® road survey vehicle successfully completed a trial in five US states and has been rated “exceptional” in quality by the US Federal Highways Administration.
The Computer Services Department has expanded to include the provision of comprehensive computerized road maintenance and integrated asset management systems.
WDM USA was set up in 2018 and has been offering survey services to US highway authorities since 2019.
* Registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office
Meet The Team
Ryland Potter
Vice President
The opportunity to help make American roads safer for all road users was the key incentive for Ryland to join highway asset management specialists, WDM USA.
A Fulbright Scholar with more than 15 years’ experience as an international consultant to corporate, non-profit, and government organizations, Ryland has held senior roles advising corporate strategy and market entry with Accenture, the United Nations, and Hanover Research in Washington, DC.
While a Managing Director with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, she played an instrumental part in persuading WDM USA to set up its US subsidiary in Virginia – the Best State for Business. She holds a business degree from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Texas.
Ryland and WDM USA aim to significantly reduce the more than 35,000 annual fatalities on U.S. roads by working with transportation authorities to expand their use of continuous friction and proactive pavement friction management.
Contact Ryland directly at Ryland.Potter@wdm-int.com
"Our company was founded by my father and family values are very much at the heart of everything we do. Over the past five decades we have been able to achieve very high standards and deliver value for money because we’ve listened to our customers about what they want and need. We’ve harnessed innovation with the latest technology to help make the world’s roads safer and save lives. The fourth generation of our family is now embarking on a career within W.D.M. Limited and we look forward to the future with confidence and the conviction that we can make a difference."
John Gardiner, Chairman
Andy Mergenmeier
Director of Pavement & Safety Engineering
Andy brings over 35 years of national leadership in pavement surface condition measurement, engineering, and safety.
A Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Kansas and a Registered Professional Engineer, Andy’s career includes pivotal roles at FHWA and Virginia DOT, where he directed key initiatives in pavement design, materials testing, and national standard setting. He chaired AASHTO’s Committee on Materials TS 5a, influencing metrics for friction, profiling, rutting, and cracking.
While at FHWA, Andy led the introduction of SCRIM® and Continuous Pavement Friction Measurement (CPFM) technology in the U.S., efforts that culminated in CPFM being recognized as a 2022 FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasure.
Andy is driven to help agencies integrate safety, materials, and pavement performance with innovation and integrity.
As Director of Pavement & Safety Engineering at WDM USA, Andy supports agencies across the country in implementing effective Pavement Friction Management Programs (PFMPs) that improve safety through friction and texture performance engineering.
Isaac Briskin
Director of Analytics
Isaac has a background in statistics and a love for problem-solving. After completing a Master’s Degree in Applied Statistics from the University of Pittsburgh, he joined the Cleveland Clinic as a Biostatistician, where he co-authored over 40 publications. Always looking for a new way to make a positive impact, Isaac made his way to WDM USA, where he enjoys helping clients use data to achieve safer roads.
Amanda Lentz
Business Support Manager
Amanda has a diverse background that has equipped her with a unique perspective and skill set. Prior to joining WDM USA, she was a Certified Nursing Assistant, where she excelled at multitasking to provide excellence at every level of patient care. She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing, formerly served as Associate Editor for the Young Virginia Writers Club, has spent many volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity, and enjoys any outlet in which she can express creativity. Being all too aware that there are enough issues with distracted and impaired drivers without controllable issues like road condition being a factor in crashes, Amanda is thrilled to be a part of WDM USA's mission to make roads safer for everyone.
Laura Thriftwood
Senior Data Scientist
Laura received her BA in Business Administration from Oregon State University and MS in Data Science from the University of Washington. Certified in Project Management, she is committed to the delivery of human-centered, data-driven solutions. She spent much of the last decade in higher education administration and looks to continue her commitment to support public service and infrastructure in her transition to the transportation sector. She looks forward to making a positive impact on road safety in her new role with WDM USA.
Zac Clement
GIS Data Manager
Zac has a passion for geography and received his BA in Geography from the University of Colorado Boulder. He has a background in computers and data science, which he leverages to further his GIS skills. Zac’s background is also in Human Geography researching social issues, and he enjoys real-world applications for technical solutions. Outside of work, Zac loves soccer, reading, and music of all kinds. He is excited to join the WDM USA team and assist with his knowledge of geography and GIS.
Clarke Reeves
Client Strategy Manager
Clarke Reeves is a strategy and operations professional with a background in data-driven decision-making and project management. At WDM USA, he focuses on client strategy and optimizing workflows. Previously, he worked at the World Bank, Meetup, and nonprofit organizations, leading strategic initiatives and stakeholder-driven projects. Clarke holds a Master’s with a focus on Management, Innovation, and Design from Columbia University. He is drawn to WDM USA’s mission of leveraging data and technology to drive impactful solutions towards safer roads.
Chad Vahradian
Validation Specialist
Chad is a seasoned roadway data collection professional with over 10 years of experience. He has collected roadway data in 48 states, supervised/trained road crews, and performed extensive testing and QA on roadway infrastructure data. At WDM USA, he conducts quality assurance and validation checks to the data surveyed by road crews. Chad is driven by the opportunity to help improve roadways, knowing that better infrastructure plays a critical role in saving lives and ensuring safer travel for all.
Eric West
GIS Specialist
Eric is a geospatial professional and data analyst who received his MS in Geography from Virginia Tech. He brings GIS experience in road network management from the emerging autonomous trucking industry and proudly applies those skills toward enhancing road safety at WDM USA. Eric holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and enjoys working on projects of all shapes and sizes.