SSOE - Key Persons

Adrienne Taylor

Job Titles:

Division Manager
Division Manager Chem Process
Engineer for the Industrial Process SBU

Adrienne joined SSOE in 2005 as an engineer for the Industrial Process SBU and by 2011, she began taking on project management responsibilities. In 2015, she became a Department Manager for SSOE's Energy, Glass, Chemical, and Manufacturing SBU and in 2021, was promoted to Division Manager of SSOE's Chemical Process group. Adrienne holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton. In 2010, she became a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio. In 2012, "Young Engineer of the Year" by Toledo Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) and in 2013, Adrienne was named "Young Engineer of the Year" by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE).

Ashwin Shetty

Job Titles:

Business Leader
in 2019 As Business Leader

Ashwin joined SSOE in 2019 as Business Leader responsible for overall India operations including integration of teams across borders, allowing shared work responsibility and an increase in the resource pool for clients. Additionally, he is the liaison with U.S. corporate functions. With more than 20 years of experience, Ashwin has an extensive project delivery background including field monitoring and construction management experience. He has served as the Owner's Representative in large plant projects, while also providing project management oversight. Prior to joining SSOE, his project experience included projects for the Delhi Airport, Maruti Suzuki plant, and a Toyota plant. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Betsy Hurner

Job Titles:

Corporate Development Vice President

Betsy has more than 20 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry. As the Vice President of Corporate Development, she oversees and integrates SSOE's organic and inorganic growth functions, including Mergers and Acquisitions, Marketing, and Business Development. Betsy has direct involvement in SSOE acquisition efforts-establishing and executing the overall program as well as success strategies for individual deals. Betsy joined SSOE as a student intern in 2000. She graduated from the University of Toledo in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and again in 2007 with a master's degree. She has served in various positions, rising through the ranks of the Marketing Department and acting as SSOE's Director of Marketing from 2015 to 2021.

Bill Kussro

Job Titles:

Principal Master Engineer

Bill joined SSOE in 2018 and today leads the firm's Structural Practice Group. Throughout his career at SSOE, Bill has become known for his technical leadership, prowess, progressive thinking, and ability to implement change. He is active in the Structural Engineering Community of Practice and sits on several Building Code and Standards Advisory Boards for the structural discipline outside the firm. In Bill's current position, he is responsible for the overall direction of structural engineering resources across the company. He serves as champion of technical training and sharing best practices across the structural discipline, ensuring the collective knowledge of department resources is being fully leveraged. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil / Structural Engineering from Michigan State University and is a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer in multiple states and Canadian provinces. Bill works out of SSOE's Troy, Michigan office.

Brad Rowe

Job Titles:

in 2011 As Business Leader of Talent Acquisition
People & Culture Senior Vice President

Brad joined SSOE in 2011 as Business Leader of Talent Acquisition and Staffing, bringing extensive AEC industry recruitment experience to the firm. In 2015, Brad was promoted to Director of Talent Acquisition, taking on the additional responsibility of leading SSOE's international human resources team.

Brandon Darroch

Job Titles:

Southeast Division Manager
Southeast Division Manager Principal

Brandon joined SSOE in 2016 and currently serves as Battery Market Leader and Division Manager of SSOE's Automotive and Manufacturing Facilities Southeast Operations. He has 15 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry and was a 2017 recipient of the SSOE Leadership Award for Superior Account Management. Prior to joining SSOE, Darroch served as an engineering officer in the U.S. Army. He is a former Airborne Ranger, Sapper, and Company Commander, and served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Darroch earned his Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He works out of SSOE's Birmingham, Alabama office.

Brett Susany

Job Titles:

Complex Project Execution Senior Vice President
in 2013 As a Principal Business Leader
Project Execution Senior Vice President

Brett joined SSOE in 2013 as a Principal Business Leader resulting from the merger between SSOE and Evergreen EDC. He quickly became a Department Manager within SSOE's Advanced Technology SBU. In 2019, he became Senior Vice President of Program Management within the Advanced Technology SBU and in 2022, he became Senior Vice President of Complex Project Execution. Brett was appointed to this role to position SSOE to better meet the growing demand for A/E services from the battery manufacturing marketplace. Brett serves as the Executive Sponsor for Battery / Process projects and leads SSOE's design efforts at all stages of the battery life-cycle, from initial supply chain, to manufacturing, through recycling and material reclaiming facilities. Currently, SSOE is working with the world's most innovative automotive and battery manufacturing companies and has either completed or is in the process of designing more than 25 million SF of battery plant projects across North America. Brett has 29 years of experience in project management and mechanical engineering, with a strong focus on semiconductor and process tool installation projects. His experience with project management has been demonstrated on projects large and small and he has proven his ability to organize and mobilize project teams while providing support for site offices often on multiple concurrent projects. Brett is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Brett splits his time between client sites and SSOE's Portland, Oregon office.

Brian Kleman

Job Titles:

Division Manager
Principal

Brian joined SSOE in 2011 performing process engineering for SSOE's Energy, Glass, Chemical, and Manufacturing SBU and, in 2015, was promoted to the role of project manager. In 2017, he became the Division Manager of SSOE's Glass and Manufacturing groups. With over 27 years of experience in the glass and manufacturing industry, Brian has worked on projects around the world. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology from the University of Toledo and an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Owens Community College.

Brian Watko

Job Titles:

Principal Division Manager Advanced Technology - Tool Install Operations

Candice Harrison

Job Titles:

Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion
in 2022 As Director of Diversity

Candice joined SSOE in 2022 as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She previously held the position of External Communications Manager at Toledo Public Schools. Prior to that, she served as Director of Communications at the Toledo Museum of Art and Senior Communications Manager for the Toledo Zoo. She built valuable relationships at both a local and national level as Director of the Schools as Hubs initiative at Scott High School, a strategy for organizing the resources of the community around student success in partnership with Lutheran Social Services and the United Way of Greater Toledo. Candice holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership from Spring Arbor University and a Bachelor of Art in Communication and Public Relations from the University of Toledo. She has a strong community presence as President of the Press Club of Toledo's Board of Directors, Board Member of the Rotary Club of Toledo, Board Director of The Arts Commission, and former Co-Chair of the African American Leadership Council of United Way. In 2014, she was the recipient of Leadership Toledo's 20 under 40 Leadership Award and Top Community Voices Award.

Carey Russell

Job Titles:

Division Manager
Principal
Principal Division Manager Advanced Technology - Basebuild Operations
Professional Engineer

Principal Division Manager | Advanced Technology - Basebuild Operations Carey, a professional engineer, joined SSOE in 2015 as a Project Manager for the Basebuild Division of the Advanced Technology group in Hillsboro, Oregon. She became a Section Manager and assumed more of an operations role in 2018 with oversight of both project delivery workflows and project finances. In 2021, she became the Division Manager of the Advanced Technology - Basebuild Operations. Carey holds a Bachelor of Science from University of California San Diego and Master of Science from California State University Long Beach.

Carrie González - CMO

Job Titles:

Director of Marketing

Carrie has over a decade of experience marketing to the AEC industry. In her role as Director of Marketing, she oversees a collaborative and energetic team of business-to-business marketers responsible for corporate / internal communications, public relations functions, and the SSOE proposal process. She builds awareness of and shapes SSOE's brand through various marketing communication channels. Carrie joined SSOE as a student intern in 2010. She graduated from the University of Toledo in 2011 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and again in 2016 with a master's degree. She has served in various roles within marketing, rising through the ranks of the Marketing Department to become Director of Marketing in 2022.

Catherine Myers - COO, President

Job Titles:

Chief Operating Officer
President

Catherine joined SSOE in July 2017 as the SBU Manager for Advanced Technology. She was the first woman to be elected Chair of the Board at SSOE in December 2020. Today, Catherine is President and Chief Operating Officer for the firm's global engineering operations. Prior to joining SSOE, she held the position of Senior Vice President for CH2M's Industrial and Advanced Technology Business Group with responsibility for the semiconductor market-overseeing $200 million in annual revenue. More recently, Catherine had been the Director of Industry and Community Partnerships within the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering at the University of Portland. Catherine is a graduate of the University of Portland and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; she is also a registered professional engineer. In addition to serving on SSOE's Board of Directors, Catherine serves on the De La Salle North Catholic High School Advisory Board in Portland, Oregon, where she resides and works.

Christopher O'Connor - SVP

Job Titles:

Senior Vice President

Chris has 25 years of experience, beginning his career in SSOE's Civil / Structural Department in 1990. In 2011, Chris became a Principal at SSOE. Previously, Chris served as a Business Leader in SSOE's Industrial Facilities group and was appointed Director of Business Development, responsible for driving growth and enhancing account management to help make clients successful by saving them time, trouble, and money. He has also served as a project manager on major industrial, commercial, and retail projects across the U.S. Chris is a graduate of North Dakota State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering.

Clem Wood

Job Titles:

Emerging Markets Business Development Senior Vice President
in 2013 As a Principal

Clem joined SSOE in 2013 as a Principal as part of SSOE's merger with Evergreen EDC. In 2014, he became a Department Manager within SSOE's Advanced Technology SBU. After five successful years in his managerial role, Clem became Vice President of Emerging Markets and Business Development. In this role, he is responsible for maintaining client relationships and pursuing new opportunities globally to support SSOE's growth initiatives, including a strong, specialized focus on high tech and advanced manufacturing within the semiconductor and automotive business units. With over three decades of program / project management experience in the semiconductor industry, he is proficient at providing superior oversight on projects of all sizes and ensuring engineering quality for numerous ramp and retrofit projects, including basebuild, fit-up, and tool install (150mm, 200mm, and 300mm technologies). Clem's expertise lies in developing and strengthening client relationships, managing design and construction contracts, developing standards for lateral distribution and tool installation design, and effectively balancing the management of engineering and construction responsibilities. Clem earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering. Clem spends much of his time on the road, frequently visiting SSOE's global offices as he pursues the emerging market growth.

Cliff Reese

Job Titles:

Business Leader

Business Leader | Energy Glass Chemical and Manufacturing | Principal Cliff joined SSOE in 2005 and currently serves as a Business Leader within SSOE‘s Glass, Chemical, and Manufacturing SBU. He has more than 35 years of professional experience utilizing the most effective design technologies and high-performance teaming strategies with global experience in several countries. Cliff earned a master's degree in Material Science and Engineering from National Technological University and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Cliff was named an SSOE Principal in 2021.

David Semproch

Job Titles:

Department Manager
Principal
Department Manager for SSOE 's Automotive

David serves as the Architectural Department Manager for SSOE's Automotive and Manufacturing Facilities Northern Operations. He joined SSOE in 1998 and is an Agent for Change in the practice of architecture, and the broader scope of delivering design and construction projects. As a department manager of more than thirty architects and design professionals, Semproch challenges the norms of architecture by guiding the Industrial Architecture studio toward delivering value to clients and end-users, and not simply traditional instruments of service. He encourages out-of-the-box thinking toward the design and delivery of projects-emphasizing the art of architecture, the science of engineering, and appreciating the craft of construction. Semproch earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Kent State University.

Dennis Longeway - CFO

Job Titles:

Director of Finance
in 2004 As Assistant Controller

Dennis joined SSOE in 2004 as Assistant Controller-part of SSOE's acquisition of AVCA Corp.-with an ensuing promotion to Controller prior to becoming Director of Finance in 2020. With 33 years of experience, his responsibilities include oversight of all teams involved with safeguarding assets and executing internal accounting functions. He works closely with the operations groups and SSOE's executive leadership in the pursuit of meeting strategic initiatives and financial goals, while also being an active member of the firm's merger and acquisition process. Dennis is a graduate of the University of Toledo holding a Bachelor of Administration in Accounting.

Doug Berner

Job Titles:

Strategic Business Unit Manager Senior Vice President

Doug Goare

Job Titles:

Outside Director
President of McDonald 's International Lead Markets

Since 2015, Doug has been President of McDonald's International Lead Markets segment, which includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The International Lead Markets segment encompasses over 6,000 restaurants and accounts for about 40% of McDonald's global operating income. In October 2016, he took on additional responsibility as Chief Restaurant Officer and oversees the functions most directly supporting restaurant execution: supply chain, IT, operations, development, and digital. Prior to his current role, he was President of McDonald's Europe, responsible for nearly 8,000 restaurants in 39 countries. He previously served as Corporate Executive Vice President of Worldwide Supply Chain and Development for McDonald's Corporation, where he had responsibility over the $23 billion procurement of food, packaging and premiums, worldwide purchasing, supplier relationship strategies, food safety, quality systems strategy, and global restaurant development strategy. Doug's career with McDonald's spans 40 years and began with the Accounting Department in Columbus, Ohio in 1978, where he led the establishment of the Columbus Accounting Center and served in a number of positions in the accounting / financial area. He has held a variety of leadership positions throughout the U.S. business. As he progressed through the organization, he gained a breadth of financial knowledge, an in-depth understanding of the restaurants and a proven ability to collaborate with owner / operators, suppliers, and company teams. Doug is a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Erick Kuri Gallardo - COO

Job Titles:

Operations Director
Business Leader for Our Mexico Operations

Erick joined SSOE in 2014 as the Business Leader for our Mexico Operations. In 2017, he was promoted to Operations Director. With over two decades of in-country experience as a manager and engineer, Erick has extensive project knowledge with automotive / manufacturing facilities and distribution centers in dozens of cities throughout the Mexican industrial corridor. Erick holds an Industrial and Systems Engineering Degree from the University of Sonora and a certification in Project Management from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), endorsed by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Greg Brogley

Job Titles:

Strategic Business Unit Manager Facilities Northern Operations Senior Vice President

Gregory Rossler

Job Titles:

Enterprise Resource Platform Manager Vice President

Greg joined SSOE in 2004 as a National Account Executive through SSOE's acquisition of AVCA Corp. He has over 35 years of experience in the AEC industry with a technical background in instrumentation and controls related to the refining, glass, chemical, and manufacturing industries. In 2006, Greg was promoted to Division Manager of the Industrial Process Regional Offices Division, which later expanded to include responsibilities for all technical resources and project management within SSOE's Energy, Glass, Chemical, and Manufacturing SBU. In 2010, Greg was named Vice President. In his most recent role, Greg oversees the implementation of SSOE's new Enterprise Resource Platform. Greg received his Associate of Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo.

Jeanne Cormier

Job Titles:

Outside Director

Jeanne retired in December 2021 from a 34-year career with 600-person H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner), where she rose to the role of CEO / President, a title that she held since 2017. As CEO, she spearheaded numerous efforts to improve the operational health of the organization with results that tripled net earnings from $3.4 million in 2017 to $10.7 million in 2021, nearly tripled operating income from $7.7 million in 2017 to $20.0 million in 2021 and increased gross revenue 35% from $112.7 million in 2017 to $151.6 million in 2021. Additionally, while in the role of CEO / President, Jeanne implemented a Train to Work program. This program provides opportunities for inner-city, non-college-bound high school seniors to enter the transportation industry upon graduation. She also launched the firm's Emerging Leadership Program to strengthen succession planning. Jeanne is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University.

Jennifer Wuertz - CHRO, VP

Job Titles:

Director of Human Resources
Vice President

Jennifer joined SSOE's Human Resources Department in 1993, serving in various positions within the department before being named Director of Talent Management in late 2014. In 1999, Jennifer was named an Associate, becoming a Senior Associate in 2006 and a Principal in 2016. Twice a graduate of the University of Toledo, Jennifer has received both her Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and her Master of Business Administration. She is a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Global Professional in Human Resources, having attained certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute. She is a member of both the Society for Human Resources Management and the Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association.