Woolpert Elevates Neil Churman to CEO as Firm Eyes Global Growth

DAYTON, Ohio, January 23, 2025 - Woolpert, a prominent player in the architecture, engineering, and geospatial services sector, has recently made a crucial leadership transition by promoting Neil Churman to Chief Executive Officer. Churman's promotion comes after a year serving as the company's president, during which he effectively managed business operations and played a significant role in mergers and acquisitions.

Neil Churman takes over from Scott Cattran, who has been at the helm since 2015. Cattran's new role as executive chairman will allow him to continue steering Woolpert's strategic direction and leading its board of directors. This leadership change is part of Woolpert’s long-term succession plan aimed at ensuring continuous growth and innovation.

Having joined Woolpert in 2022 as the first Chief Corporate Development Officer, Churman has a track record of driving strategic acquisitions and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Woolpert successfully executed five key acquisitions that brought over 800 new employees into the fold, significantly broadened its capabilities, and contributed to its growth across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. In 2024, with Churman at the forefront, the company celebrated its best financial performance in its 114-year history.

Churman is a seasoned professional in the AEG (architecture, engineering, geospatial) field, boasting a wealth of experience from previous roles at companies such as TRC Companies and Michael Baker International. His impressive academic credentials include an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Churman will continue to be based in the firm's Pittsburgh office, where he aims to foster a thriving workplace culture.

In his acceptance of the CEO position, Churman emphasized a commitment to Woolpert’s legacy, expressing, "I am honored to take on this role and am humbled by the responsibility to carry forward our legacy of over 100 years of supporting critical programs for our clients. Our culture is founded on principles of support, innovation, and high performance, and we will stay true to that path as we pursue success globally."

Scott Cattran also shared his optimism about the future direction of Woolpert. Reflecting on his decade-long leadership, he noted, "When I stepped into the CEO role, we developed a vision not just to lead in our industry but to be recognized as one of the best companies worldwide. Neil's exceptional ability to merge acquisitions and his focus on nurturing a world-class culture position him perfectly to drive this vision forward."

Woolpert has shown remarkable growth under Cattran's leadership. In 1999, when Cattran joined, the company had around 600 employees and reported annual revenues of $97 million. Now, in 2025, it boasts over 2,700 employees and an impressive revenue exceeding $650 million. The company is ranked 47th among the Top 500 Design Firms by Engineering News-Record (ENR), a testament to its solid market position.

As Woolpert enters this new chapter under Neil Churman's guidance, the firm is poised to continue its trend of success and innovation in a rapidly evolving industry. With a robust workforce and a clear strategic direction, Woolpert aims to further solidify its status as a top-tier AEG firm, delivering innovative solutions for its clients around the world.

For industry watchers and stakeholders, Churman's elevation to CEO represents not just a leadership change but a potential shift in how Woolpert will navigate future challenges and opportunities in the architecture, engineering, and geospatial sectors.

About Woolpert
Woolpert is a leading architecture, engineering, and geospatial firm with a mission to innovate and excel in serving public and private clients across the globe. Founded in 1911, the firm has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing of its kind in the United States and has acquired several notable certifications recognizing its workplace culture. For further details, please visit their website at woolpert.com.