AM26: Reflecting on a Year of Achievement and a Future of Opportunity

Barge welcomed team members and their families at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville for the firm’s annual meeting (AM26). Designed as a time to connect, AM26 celebrated the past year’s successes while looking ahead to future growth opportunities.

Celebrating Achievements and Setting Sights on Growth

CEO Carrie Stokes and COO Shannon Lambert opened the meeting with a look back at key accomplishments from the previous year. Throughout the program, several projects were highlighted, showcasing the high-level work taking place across the firm. When discussing the firm’s growth, Stokes emphasized that success depends on a collective effort, calling for active participation in the work ahead and providing a framework for how each employee can make an impact.

CMO Erika Booker led a fireside chat with COO Shannon Lambert, Private Client Center Director Casey Tyree, CPO Karen Cosentino, and CDSO Laine Hiera. The discussion explored growth opportunities across each leader’s respective business function.  

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Giving Back to Our Communities

Attendees participated in the CHAIRity fundraiser by reserving seats, which allowed them to nominate a nonprofit organization of their choice. Through CHAIRity, a silent auction and a 100% company match, attendees raised over $16,000.

This year’s recipient was Friends of Indian Lake Peninsula, a Hendersonville, TN-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural spaces and creating green areas for the community.

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Recognizing Our People and Their Impact

The celebration continued with the recognition of employees who reached career milestones at Barge, along with peer-nominated awards honoring outstanding team members.

The Bob Higgins Emerging Leader Award – Davon Elder, PE, Roadway Team Lead

The Bob Higgins Emerging Leader Award recognizes an early-career professional who demonstrates exceptional performance while consistently embodying Barge’s values.

Davon has shown strong leadership both at Barge and in the broader engineering community. At Barge, he serves as a roadway team lead, stepping into the role with a confident and steady approach. He led the largest project undertaken by the Alabama Roadway Group to date, while fostering collaboration that kept deadlines on track.

Davon’s commitment to his professional growth is evident through his industry involvement. He is the president of the Birmingham chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE Region 5 younger member chair, secretary of the Engineering Council of Birmingham, and a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers. He also participates in the American Council of Engineering Companies Leadership Development Program, serves on the One Barge Council and is a recent graduate of the Barge Lead program. Davon is positioning himself to help shape the future of both Barge and the engineering profession.  

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The Dan Barge, Jr. Award of Merit – Mitesh Patel, P. Eng, Senior Process Engineer

The Dan Barge, Jr. Award of Merit recognizes an employee for distinctive performance in a specific situation the prior year, demonstrating extraordinary initiative beyond their role.

Working under a rigorous project schedule with a major scope overhaul, Mitesh led two process-led detailed design projects simultaneously while demonstrating exceptional leadership. He consistently went above and beyond, frequently stepped in to fill project management gaps. In addition to his role as lead process engineer, he coordinated across disciplines and managed project timelines to keep everything on track. Despite operating in dual roles, he delivered work at the highest standard. His commitment and expertise were integral to transforming this high-risk project into a success. Mitesh’s achievements on Barge’s first major process-led detailed design projects have paved a bright future for the department.

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The Jack L. Wood Award of Merit – Judy Judson, RLS, VP, Senior Geomatics Manager

The Jack L. Wood Excellence in Service Award represents Barge's purpose. It recognizes an employee who has demonstrated superior services throughout a lengthy career with the firm, contributing to creating a better life for our people, clients, and communities.

Judy Judson embodies loyalty and legacy. With 40 years dedicated to Barge, she has cultivated long-standing relationships with clients and teammates who see her as a trusted resource, mentor, and friend. She has guided Barge through numerous organizational and technological shifts, serving as both a cultural beacon and transformational leader throughout.  

During her tenure at Barge, Judy rose from a CAD technician to director of operations for Barge’s Geomatics Solution Center. Her legacy extends beyond Barge, as she has made significant strides in a field primarily dominated by men. In 1999, she became one of only two licensed female land surveyors in the state of Tennessee.  

Her impact is visible across Nashville’s skyline, where she and her team have provided geomatics services for many of the city’s towers. Judy’s influence at Barge is undeniable. From her surveying expertise to her consistent, supportive leadership, she remains deeply committed to her role and the people she serves.

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