Catheren Gill Elevated to Vice President at NIBS for Strategic Programs

National Institute of Building Sciences Elevates Catheren Gill

On August 4, 2026, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) proudly announced the promotion of Catheren (Cathy) Gill, P.E., to Vice President of Strategic Programs and Services. This significant advancement recognizes her exceptional leadership, technical prowess, and unwavering dedication to enhancing the built environment.

With over three decades of experience, Cathy Gill stands out for her expertise in leading intricate engineering, construction, infrastructure, and military initiatives across the globe. During her distinguished tenure at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she successfully managed multi-billion-dollar programs and directed diverse teams, completing mission-critical projects for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, along with several federal agencies and international allies.

Since becoming a part of NIBS, Cathy's contributions have been invaluable. She has played a critical role in fortifying strategic initiatives while promoting industry collaboration. Moreover, her efforts have significantly advanced innovation and resilience in the built environment. As the Program Director for the Sentinel Infrastructure Design Criteria project, Cathy showcased her leadership by aligning strategic objectives and real-world execution, fulfilling challenging requirements, and ensuring high-quality outcomes. She has gained the respect of her peers, clients, and partners due to her dedication to excellence and effective, mission-oriented leadership.

George Guszcza, the President and CEO of NIBS, praised her extraordinary capabilities, stating, "Cathy is an extraordinary leader with deep expertise across the AECO industry as well as the public sector. Her exceptional ability to bring teams together in solving our nation's most complex challenges has been proven throughout her impressive career." This promotion places Cathy in a position to leverage her extensive experience, helping to shape NIBS’s future endeavors to bolster America’s built environment.

In her new role, Cathy will supervise crucial organizational initiatives and manage strategic partnerships that align with NIBS' mission as authorized by Congress. She will collaborate closely with both public and private stakeholders to amplify the organization’s impact and develop actionable solutions to the nation's pressing challenges in building and infrastructure.

Before her tenure with NIBS, Cathy served as Chief of the Engineering, Construction, and Planning Division for the Wilmington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this capacity, she oversaw an annual program averaging $1 billion across military, civil works, and interagency initiatives. Her impressive career also includes senior leadership positions with the Corps of Engineers, where she oversaw engineering programs valued up to $2 billion annually, working in regions as diverse as Japan and Micronesia.

Cathy is a licensed Professional Engineer and has earned both a Master of Science and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute's prestigious Leadership for a Democratic Society program.

In response to her promotion, Cathy expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am honored for the opportunity to serve in this new role and to build on the important work already underway at NIBS. I remain committed to advancing innovation, supporting industry collaboration, and helping deliver solutions that improve the resilience, sustainability, and performance of the built environment."

About the National Institute of Building Sciences

The National Institute of Building Sciences, established by Congress in 1974, stands as the authoritative source for research and recommendations that foster innovation in the built environment while protecting lives and communities. This independent, non-partisan organization speaks for the national interest, bridging the gap between public and private sectors, and collaborating with governments at all levels to drive positive outcomes for communities. NIBS is dedicated to building a safer, technologically advanced infrastructure that enhances the lives of Americans and strengthens the nation's future. For further information, visit nibs.org or follow them on social media platforms.