Woolpert Announces Neil Churman as New CEO to Lead Global Growth and Innovation

Woolpert Appoints Neil Churman as CEO

Woolpert, a leading global architecture, engineering, and geospatial services firm, has officially announced the appointment of Neil Churman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Churman, who has been serving as President of Woolpert since early 2024, previously managed the company's operational strategies and mergers and acquisitions. His promotion signals continuity and a path toward continued growth and innovation for the company, which has been a leader in its field for over a century.

A Step Forward in Leadership

Churman takes over the role from Scott Cattran, who has been at the helm of Woolpert since 2015. Under Cattran’s leadership, the company saw remarkable growth, expanding its workforce from around 600 to over 2,700 employees globally. Cattran will transition into a new role as Executive Chairman, where he will continue to support Churman in guiding the company's strategy and overseeing its board of directors.

Neil Churman’s rise to the CEO position comes as the company seeks to further enhance its operational excellence and strategic growth in architecture, engineering, geospatial, and technology services. Since joining Woolpert in 2022, he has successfully steered the firm through five strategic acquisitions, broadening its capabilities in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.

Commitment to Culture and Client Support

In his new role, Churman expressed his honor and humility in leading Woolpert, emphasizing the company's commitment to supporting critical programs for clients. He highlighted the importance of nurturing a positive workplace culture that aligns with Woolpert's values of innovation, support, and high performance. "Woolpert’s culture thrives on support, innovation, and high performance, and we will continue to adhere to this winning formula as we move forward," he stated.

Churman's vision centers on maintaining the legacy of excellence that Woolpert has built over the past 100 years while looking to attract and retain top talent within the industry. He acknowledges the significant role that a productive and enjoyable work environment plays in the company's success and aims to cultivate that for all Woolpert employees.

Navigating New Heights

As Woolpert heads toward 2025, it has increased its annual revenue to more than $650 million, positioning itself as the 47th company in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms. Cattran reflected on his decade as CEO, sharing that the initiation of a vision to not only lead the architecture, engineering, and geospatial sectors but to be counted among the world’s best firms, remains a critical pursuit.

Cattran emphasized the importance of Churman's role in realizing this vision, stating that his extensive experience and ability to integrate leading acquisitions while fostering organic growth will continue to propel Woolpert forward. Cattran expressed excitement about his new role as Executive Chairman, indicating that he looks forward to facilitating Churman's leadership and helping Woolpert on this ambitious journey.

Looking Ahead: About Woolpert

Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has evolved significantly over the years, emphasizing its commitment to growth, diversity, and inclusivity. Recognized multiple times as a “Great Place to Work,” the firm has built a reputation for fostering a supportive and innovative environment, crucial in serving its diverse public and private clients globally.

With over 60 offices worldwide and a dedicated team of 2,700 professionals, Woolpert is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of growth and service excellence under Churman’s leadership. For additional information, please visit woolpert.com.