GULFPORT, Miss. – Waggoner Engineering, a leading civil engineering and professional consulting firm, is pleased to welcome James Buras, PE, MBA, as Gulf Coast Area Manager and Maritime Lead.
Buras will support leadership across Waggoner’s Gulf Coast operations, fostering collaboration, enhancing project execution, and guiding strategic growth initiatives across the firm’s full range of infrastructure services. He will also lead the firm’s continued growth in port, waterfront, coastal, and marine infrastructure projects.
With more than 16 years of experience in maritime, industrial, and municipal infrastructure engineering, Buras’ expertise spans design, permitting, construction administration, and capital program management. He has led major infrastructure projects involving ports, rail systems, drainage, utilities, terminals, dredging, and transportation facilities.
He most recently served as Port Engineer for the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport, where he managed capital projects and coordinated engineering, permitting, funding, and construction activities for port operations. He also previously served as Public Works Director for the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission.
In addition to his public-sector leadership, Buras spent nearly a decade in consulting engineering on the Gulf Coast, supporting infrastructure projects across the region.
Through this breadth of experience, he has developed strong relationships and a deep familiarity with the communities, infrastructure, and stakeholders that shape the Gulf Coast.
“James brings practical leadership experience and strong regional understanding, alongside a clear commitment to building relationships throughout the coastal communities we serve,” said Zach Adams, EDFP, Vice President of Business Operations for Mississippi. “He knows how to partner collaboratively with clients and support projects that strengthen communities and contribute to long-term economic growth.”
Buras’ addition reflects Waggoner’s continued investment in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region, reinforces the firm’s longstanding presence along the Coast, and strengthens its ability to support complex maritime and infrastructure needs for public and private clients alike.
About Waggoner
Founded in 1976, Waggoner Engineering is a civil engineering and professional consulting firm dedicated to helping communities reach their full potential. With multiple office locations across the Southeast United States, Waggoner is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary services that extend beyond traditional engineering to deliver holistic, forward-looking solutions for clients.