Leadership

Bob Higgins has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2009. He joined the firm in 1996 as an intern following graduation from the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Since becoming President and CEO, Bob has led the firm through a successful reorganization into core business units and has directed the development and implementation of key technical, project management, and leadership programs.

Bob stays active within his community through service on various civic and community boards. He sits on the board for the Nashville Downtown Partnership as well as the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee. He also serves on the board of directors for the Saint Thomas Health Foundation, Nelson Andrews Leadership Center, and Nashville Public Library Foundation.

He is a past recipient of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Engineer of the Year award. The Nashville Business Journal has recognized Bob as a Veterans Award winner for his military service and impact on Nashville’s business community, and in 2017, named a Most Admired CEO. 

Bob is a graduate of several community leadership programs such as Leadership Tennessee, Leadership Nashville, Leadership Franklin (TN), and Leadership Franklin (KY).

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Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc., Rebrands To Barge Design Solutions

Unhealthy Workers Cost Nashville Businesses $500 Million

Randy Ferguson has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since joining the firm in 2012. As Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for the delivery of the resources and technical services the company provides to local, state, federal, and private sector clients.

A native Tennessean, Randy is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering. His technical expertise includes civil and site design; solid/hazardous waste management facility permitting and design; water resources; and storm water master planning, permitting, and design. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina.

Paula Harris serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. She has been with the firm since 2001, guiding efforts in civic activities, strategic initiatives, business development strategies, proposal development, marketing materials, and public relations activities. She is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM).

Paula is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science. She is the Executive Director for Leadership Franklin (TN). In Williamson County, she serves on the Executive Committee for Franklin Tomorrow and is a past board chair for Williamson, Inc. Paula is on the Board of Trustees for Lipscomb University.

Cendy Dodd joined the firm in 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and plays a critical role in leading the firm’s financial functions.

Cendy holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Kentucky University. In addition to her CPA certification, she completed courses at Belmont University to receive a Certificate of Management.

She has memberships with both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is a member of the Executive Committee for Camp Habitat of Simpson County, Kentucky, a Christian service camp sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.

Chris Provost joined the firm in 2015 and serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategies Officer. He has over 30 years of engineering and management experience, specifically with water, environmental, and transportation projects. He has served in all project-related roles throughout the southeastern United States and has managed a multitude of large and small projects for a variety of public and private sector clients.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, and is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE).

Michele Herlein serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. She joined the firm in 2015 and works to support the company in becoming the best place to work in our field.

Michele graduated from Northern Illinois University with Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Economics, as well as a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication. She has also earned her Doctorate in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University. Herlein has published and presented articles on competency development, change management, coaching, leadership development, and cultural development.

Michele is an active board member of Impact Nashville where she serves as Membership and Finance Director.

Carrie Stokes has served as the Director of the Environment & Water Resources business unit since 2013. She started her journey with the firm as a student intern and has since been elevated into several leadership positions. In her current role, she is responsible for strategic planning, operations, and leadership of a multi-disciplined staff of engineers, scientists, biologists, and geologists.

Carrie earned her Bachelor of Engineering from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in civil and environmental engineering. She returned to Vanderbilt to obtain a Master of Engineering with an emphasis on environmental engineering. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee and is a certified Project Management Professional.

She is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America and is past two-term board member for the Junior League of Nashville. Carrie has served multiple years on various committees for American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee, including the Business Practice Committee. In 2015, she served as one of the organization’s inaugural chairs for Leadership PE, a six-month program focused on engineers who are new to or preparing for management and leadership roles.

Carrie currently serves on the Stormwater Management Committee for Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. She is a 2018 Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence Honoree.

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Apponted to Serve on Metro Nashville Stormwater Management Committee

Named 2018 Women of Influence Honoree 

Jeff Weis joined the firm in 2015 and serves as the Director of the Facilities business unit. In his role, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of complex multidiscipline projects, client management, assignment of all technical and management staff, marketing and business development activities, and negotiation of client, subconsultant, and design-build team member contracts.

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in New York.

Matt Stovall joined the firm in 1993 and currently serves as the Director of the Land Resources business unit, a group with disciplines in civil engineering, landscape architecture, master planning, and survey.

Matt has over 30 years of experience in leadership of projects encompassing civil engineering, landscape architecture, and master planning. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University. He is a registered Landscape Architect in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee, and is a member of Rotary International and an alumnus of Leadership Chattanooga.

Daniel Spann joined the firm in 2015 and serves as Director of the Transportation business unit, providing overall technical direction for transportation-related projects and efforts. He has extensive design experience for both public agencies and private clients, including traditional intersection geometrics, traffic signal design, and modern roundabout design. Other distinct design skills include Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), bicycle and pedestrian facility design, and at-grade railroad signal preemption.

Spann holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. He is a member of 2018 Leadership Middle Tennessee.

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Transportation Presents At 2018 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting

Appointed to TMA Board of Directors

Shannon Lambert joined the firm in 2010 and is Director of the Water Services business unit. He has served in multiple project-related roles on water and wastewater treatment plant expansions and upgrades, sewer collection systems, and water distribution systems. His experience includes evaluations, designs, and construction administration.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering as well as a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and is a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Shannon serves as Tennessee Vice President for Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association.