Leadership Team
Experience and knowledge
Our leadership team is comprised of seasoned, dedicated engineers who live, work and play in the environments they work every day to protect. Many in this group have been a part of Wright-Pierce since their first day in the industry over 40 years ago. Explore below to meet the team.
Robert Barnes
Bob is an environmental technical specialist and process design technical leader at Wright-Pierce. As Operations Manager, Bob leverages his nearly 30 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry for the planning, directing, and operations oversight of the firm’s building and process design groups. He works to improve firm performance, productivity, and efficiency through the provision of leading-edge technologies and use of effective methods and strategies. He also manages the firm’s construction services division, responsible for the staffing, training, and coordination of Wright-Pierce’s resident inspection field services personnel who oversee in excess of 100 projects annually.
My best advice…
Never deprive yourself of learning things the hard way.
On the weekends you can find me…
On Sebago Lake with my family.
Paul Birkel, PE
Paul has provided leadership and guidance in the study, design and construction of wastewater collection, pumping and treatment facility projects for nearly three decades. Throughout his career, he has sought to provide his clients and project teams cost effective, technically sound, sustainable solutions meeting the needs of the clients being served while safeguarding and protecting our environment. As Executive Vice President and leader of Wright-Pierce’s Wastewater Practice, he continues to provide technical oversight and direction on the Firm’s most complex and challenging wastewater projects. Paul manages our Portland, Maine office and sits on the Board of Directors for the Firm.
On the weekend you can find me…
On a boat on Casco Bay looking at the beautiful waters we work so hard to protect.
My best advice…
Embrace self-awareness. It leads to greater understanding of ourselves and our capabilities; of those we interact with; and allows us to unlock our full potential.
John Braccio, PE
With nearly four decades of experience in comprehensive evaluation, planning, design, construction administration and start-up of wastewater projects, John’s technical expertise and wide-breadth of knowledge are expansive. He leverages this expertise to benefit many Wright-Pierce clients serving as Principal-in-Charge or Technical Advisor for the Firm’s most complex water, wastewater and civil infrastructure projects. In addition to his role as President and CEO at Wright-Pierce, John is also heavily involved in several professional associations such as WEF, NEWEA, and CTAWWA and speaks regularly at industry conferences.
If I could be anywhere in the world…
I’d be right here at my desk at Wright-Pierce.
My best advice…
Be truthful in all matters, to yourself and others.
Richard Davee, PE
Rick is a Senior Vice President and Practice Group Leader of Wright-Pierce’s Water Division. In this role, he manages all technical aspects of water division projects, carefully coordinates with the Firm’s building services division and provides guidance among other engineering disciplines. With over 25 years of experience, Rick is seasoned in all facets of water treatment, distribution, supply, storage and collection. He regularly presents on technical topics in his field of expertise across industry associations such as the American Water Works Association.
Three words to describe me…
A good engineer!
My motto in life…
Have fun.
Christopher Dwinal, PE
Chris is the Maine Wastewater Group Leader for Wright-Pierce and provides senior project management for several Maine and New Hampshire clients. He has extensive experience in the planning, design and construction administration of wastewater treatment facilities, odor control systems, residuals management facilities, septage treatment facilities, pump stations and collection systems.
For over 25 years, Chris has designed some of the most innovative engineering design projects throughout Northern New England and is well respected by clients and colleagues alike for his personal, responsive client management approach.
If I could be anywhere in the world…
I’d be here, in the State of Maine.
3 words to describe me…
Responsible. Hardworking. Dedicated.
Dennis Davis, PE
Dennis is an energetic and visionary leader with over 18 years of professional experience including key management and leadership positions. He is a diverse engineer with experience in water supply, utilities, stormwater design, water quality, natural systems, solid waste management, civil site design and environmental permitting. He is extensively familiar with the operating protocol of local governments; from procurement policies to capital budgeting, to interacting with city/county management and board members. As a Senior Client Service Manager with a strategic focus on Central and Northern Florida, Dennis’ priority is working with clients to ensure their projects exceed expectations.
My motto in life…
Love your neighbor.
I’m passionate about…
Gator football!
Faye DeMoura, CPSM
Faye has over a decade of content marketing, brand strategy and business development experience in both the AEC and financial services industries. As Director of Marketing, she works with the Wright-Pierce team to establish strategic marketing and brand strategies that successfully communicate the Firm’s vision, mission and path forward. Her greatest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership which are continually leveraged to expand firm growth.
My motto in life…
Make others smile as often as you can.
If I could be anywhere in the world I’d be…
At the “Sunday Dinner” table with my entire family—it’s a little loud, a lot of fun, and filled with love.
Daniel Flaig, PE
Dan is Wright-Pierce’s Water Practice Group Leader for Maine. In this role he directs the design of water treatment processes and facilities, pump stations, water supply wells, spring water facilities, water storage facilities, and water main infrastructure. Dan leverages his nearly 15 years of experience in developing hydraulic models for design and analysis of water distribution system infrastructure, industrial process design, master planning, water quality studies, water treatment process design and pilot studies, hydrogeology, environmental permitting, and construction administration to help develop innovative, engineering solutions for the Firm’s clients.
I’m passionate about…
Coming up with innovative solutions to help our clients and then seeing them come to life.
My motto in life…
Do your job!
David Gaipo
Dave brings 25 years of experience in municipal water and wastewater facilities operations and management to his role as Business Development/Client Service Manager at Wright-Pierce. From decades in the A/E/C industry, starting as a facility operator and most recently as manager for a multinational contract operations company, Dave fully understands the complexities of all facets of municipal infrastructure management. His expertise in operations optimization, including extensive experience in environmental regulatory compliance, has resulted in significantly reduced facility operating costs for utilities and municipalities. He has also served as Project Manager on Design/Build/Operate (DBO) water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout New England.
My motto in life…
Be honest and work hard.
A book that moves me…
Iacocca: An Autobiography
Michael Giggey, PE
Mike has a broad base of professional experience in environmental engineering with special expertise in watershed protection, nutrient management and groundwater recharge. As a technical leader for the Firm’s wastewater group, he utilizes his professional expertise to evaluate problems, explore options for remedies and guide the selection and implementation of engineering solutions. Mike has managed Wright-Pierce’s Special Projects Division, specializing in state-of-the-art wastewater management systems, pilot plant studies, innovative and alternative nutrient recycling processes, natural treatment systems and water reuse.
His 45+ years of professional experience include a wide range of environmental engineering projects. He has served as project manager on the design and construction of sewers, wastewater treatment plants and and land-based effluent disposal systems; technical assistance to planning boards and boards of health on water quality issues; pilot plant studies of innovative systems for removal of nutrients from wastewater and septage; and development of sludge composting projects. He is actively involved in wastewater planning on Cape Cod, where nitrogen management is critical to coastal pond protection.
My best advice…
Chance favors the prepared mind.
A book that moves me…
Daniel James Brown’s “Boys in the Boat”
Steven Hallowell, PE
Steve serves as a vice president/senior project manager in the Wastewater Practice Group with a wide-range of experience in planning, design and construction of wastewater and water facilities and infrastructure projects for municipal clients. Over the years, he has served as project manager and lead project engineer on a number of wastewater, water and civil projects in Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
My best advice…
Do your best—at the end of the day you can’t ask for anything more.
Three words to describe me…
Survivor. Dedicated. Driven.
W. Doug Hankins, PE
Doug serves as Wright-Pierce’s wastewater technical leader. He has extensive experience in a wide variety of wastewater processes including secondary treatment systems, biological nutrient removal, tertiary systems, and advanced treatment systems. Moreover, he is an expert in biological nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus), filamentous bacterial control processes, aeration systems, and process enhancements for reduced sludge production.
He has designed or been responsible for the design and of multiple nutrient removal wastewater facilities ranging $1M to $100M in construction costs. He has extensive process modeling experience as well as operational knowledge having provided multiple on-call operational support roles for municipalities.
On the weekend you can find me…
At the hockey rink.
My motto in life…
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Thomas Hogan, PE
Tom brings a diverse skill set to the Wright-Pierce Leadership Team. In his 20 years of service in the A/E/C industry he has managed all aspects of large-scale, complex civil and environmental engineering projects for municipal clients, as well as water resource related projects including dam rehabilitations, watershed protection and stormwater improvements. In addition, Tom’s role has been as a trusted industry resource routinely providing peer reviews and expert testimony. In his role as Regional Group Leader, Tom’s focus is being responsive to clients’ needs with the goal of making Wright-Pierce the engineering firm of choice in Central and Western MA.
My best advice…
Work hard and have some fun along the way.
On the weekends you can find me…
Coaching youth sports, fishing or traveling with my family.
Stephanie Hubbard, PE
Stephanie is a senior project manager in the Civil Practice Group at Wright-Pierce. She has 15 years of site and infrastructure design, construction administration and project management experience on a wide variety of civil projects. Her responsibilities have included design, permitting, budget, schedule, and construction monitoring on both public and private sector development projects. Stephanie has been actively involved in dam inspections, evaluations and studies throughout New England.
My best advice…
Do what you feel passionate about.
A book that moves me…
David McCullough’s “The Path between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal”
Mariusz Jedrychowski, PE
Mariusz is a Senior Project Manager in Wright-Pierce’s Middletown, CT office. He brings over two decades of experience in the planning, design and construction administration of water and wastewater engineering projects. He has extensive technical experience in water infrastructure projects, including water distribution, pumping and water storage design, water distribution systems hydraulic modeling and design, water quality analysis, construction administration and project management.
My best advice…
Life is short. Play hard.
On the weekend you can find me…
On the soccer field at Tunxis Meade Park!
Edward Leonard, PE
Ed is a Vice President, member of the Wright-Pierce Board of Directors, and Director of Operations. In his role, he leverages his over two decades of experience in planning, design, and construction of wastewater and water facilities to oversee and coordinate the firm’s architectural, structural, mechanical, instrumentation, electrical, and CAD/BIM disciplines. His additional responsibilities include developing and implementing firm standards and participating in mentoring and training programs. He regularly provides quality assurance and quality control oversight for the firm’s large water and wastewater utility projects. He also provides mentoring and technical guidance to Wright-Pierce engineers throughout all project disciplines.
Ed has additional experience with wastewater collection systems, wastewater funding programs, permitting, industrial pre-treatment, and sewer use ordinance/regulations. He also has experience with watershed planning for nutrient management programs.
My best advice…
Be stronger than the challenge.
If I could be anywhere in the world I’d be…
Hiking anywhere in the White Mountains.
Robert Marsh
Bob brings decades of experience to his role as Director of IT for Wright-Pierce. He leverages this experience to lead the continued development for the firm’s innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment. He is responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of all technical systems and IT infrastructure for Wright-Pierce. He also establishes and maintains firm-wide security and compliance policies.
On the weekend you can find me…
Relaxing, reading, and/or researching.
My motto in life…
Consider every endeavor in life to be exercise or a learning experience—befriend both.
John Nelson
John serves as Vice President and Strategic Advisor/CFO Emeritus for Wright-Pierce. His over three decades of finance experience in the engineering industry in both a larger international and a smaller regional firm provides him with unique perspectives on the operations and financial performance of our industry. John is past Vice Chair and Treasurer of the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) Executive Committee and past President of ACEC of Maine.
My motto in life…
Be yourself.
A book that moves me…
Stephen King’s “The Stand”
Jeffrey Normandin, GISP
Jeff is Wright-Pierce’s GIS Manager and brings over 17 years of experience in both the public and private sectors to the Firm. He has conducted spatial analysis, data collection, custom cartography, and managed geographic data on a wide range of topics in a wide range of industries. A skilled and detail-oriented technician, as well as a creative problem solver, Jeff has managed GIS data on water and sewer systems, created municipal parcel and zoning maps, evacuation plans, and conducted habitat modeling and conservation planning. He is proficient with diverse hardware and software tools, including ESRI ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Blue Marble’s Global Mapper, and Trimble GPS.
My motto in life…
Try to have a positive impact.
If I could be anywhere in the world I’d be…
Somewhere in the great outdoors with my family.
Kevin Olson, PE
Kevin brings over 33 years of experience on a variety of water and water pollution control projects to his role as Wastewater Group Leader for the Firm’s Massachusetts offices. His comprehensive experience is diverse, including planning, design and construction of gravity sewers, wastewater pumping stations, force mains, pressure sewers, wastewater treatment facilities, water mains, water pump stations, and odor control systems for wastewater pumping stations and treatment facilities. He also assists many Massachusetts clients with comprehensive wastewater management plans (CWMPs), sludge management evaluation studies, odor studies for wastewater systems, infiltration/inflow studies and reports, sewer system evaluation surveys (SSES), sewer system rehabilitation design, and a range of other engineering studies.
My best advice…
If you ask my kids I have an endless amount of advice, but perhaps the best is to be passionate about what you do.
3 words to describe me…
Realistic. Committed. Loving.
Laurie Perkins, PE
As the Firm’s Horizontal Infrastructure Assessment Group Leader, Laurie provides civil engineering and management expertise for wastewater collection system projects, including sewer system assessments, sewer system rehabilitation and renewal, conveyance, SSO and CSO abatement. Laurie has over 24 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects. Her expertise also includes years of experience developing project schedules and managing budgets on large-scale municipal projects, as well as the overall assessment and management of infrastructure assets for a range of project types in the municipal sector.
What fires me up…
Competition.
My motto in life…
Those that can, do.
Christopher Pierce, PE
Chris is the office manager of Wright-Pierce’s Middletown, Connecticut office and its Wastewater Group Leader. He brings more than 29 years of experience in wastewater study, design and construction administration to the Firm. His responsibilities include studies, evaluations, facilities planning, coordination with regulatory agencies, permitting, design, construction administration, start-up, and operational assistance of wastewater collection, pumping and treatment facility projects.
My best advice…
Do what you say you’ll do.
A book that moves me…
James Michener’s “The Source”
Jeffrey Pinnette, PE
As one of the Firm’s Wastewater Technical Leaders, Jeff leverages his extremely deep knowledge and background in wastewater treatment, residuals management and odor control to manage complex projects all across New England. Jeff has authored numerous articles on wastewater treatment, residual management, and odor control including the biofiltration and biotrickling filter sections in “TR-16: Guides for the Design of Wastewater Treatment Works,” published by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
If I could be anywhere in the world I’d be…
Sailing in the Caribbean.
My best advice…
Follow your bliss.
Richard Protasowicki, PE
Rich has extensive experience in a wide range of multi-disciplinary water engineering projects for municipalities from planning to implementation. He leverages this expertise as leader of the Water Practice Group for Wright-Pierce. In this role, Rich oversees technical and managerial aspects of all water projects within the Firm. His responsibilities include directing staff training, implementing regional and strategic marketing and planning objectives, and business development in the water supply field.
His experience includes master plans, water quality studies, pilot testing, new and rehabilitated water treatment facilities and pumping stations, new sources, replacement wells, storage tanks, distribution system infrastructure and overseas infrastructure inspections. His specialties include iron and manganese treatment, membrane filtration, and ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection.
Three words to describe me…
Driven. Honest. Coffee.
My best advice…
Live life with integrity.
Louis Ragozzino, PE
Lou has more than 34 years’ experience in water quality and wastewater engineering for municipal clients. He has managed public and private sector projects in more than 40 states, with project construction values exceeding $100 million. As Wright-Pierce’s Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Regional Group Leader, Lou’s responsibilities are client and project management, as well as playing a lead role in business development in the region. His diverse background in environmental and civil infrastructure engineering aligns closely with Wright-Pierce’s business practices.
If I could be anywhere in the world…
Hawaii, it’s paradise.
What fires me up…
A tie basketball game with one minute left, especially the Celtics.
Laura Riley, CPA
Laura is Wright-Pierce’s Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. In this role, she is responsible for providing financial direction and strategy for the firm. As an experienced Certified Public Accountant, she has a diverse skillset of financial reporting, cost control and strategy, tax optimization, risk management, and profitability analysis. Laura leverages her demonstrated, hands-on experience in both public and private accounting as part of Wright-Pierce’s leadership team.
On the weekends you can find me…
Spending time with my family and friends. We like to entertain and make memories. Weekends are short and usually always booked up, so any free time we can have together is great.
My favorite vacation destination…
Near a beach or pool with a drink in hand. My favorite place to visit is a tie between Sao Miguel, Azores and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
Thomas Simbro, PE
Tom is the manager of Wright-Pierce’s Rhode Island office as well as a senior project manager. He has more than 30 years of engineering and construction experience in project management of water, wastewater and stormwater projects including project management and design; planning; permitting; and construction management and administration.
My favorite vacation destination…
Newport, Rhode Island.
A book that moves me…
Anything written about Theodore Roosevelt or Winston Churchill.
Connie Taggart
Connie is a seasoned human resources generalist and leader in her field with over two decades of experience. She has extensive expertise in employee relations, leadership, performance and compensation management, recruiting and employment laws. As Director of Human Resources at Wright-Pierce, Connie enhances Firm growth and profitability through expert implementation of human capital management best practices.
My motto in life…
Onward and upward!
A book that moves me…
Richard Bach’s “The Bridge Across Forever”
Timothy Vadney, PE
As a leader in Wright-Pierce’s Wastewater Practice, Tim’s first focus is on client success. A seasoned expert in all facets of wastewater treatment, he provides clients with a trusted representative to ensure the highest level of client service on all projects. He has over 18 years of extensive experience in a wide variety of wastewater fields including wastewater treatment, odor control, residuals management, septage treatment, collection systems, and pump stations.
I’m passionate about…
Making a difference. Whether at work or at home, I want to do my best to achieve success.
Robert Williamson, PE
Rob has over 27 years of experience with a wide range of drinking water and sewer collection infrastructure projects throughout New England. He is actively involved in New England Water Works and speaks regularly at conferences. His expertise includes the planning, design and construction administration of water treatment plants, storage tanks, groundwater supply development, pump stations, distribution mains, water system master plans and advanced metering infrastructure. He also has experience with sewer pumping station and collection systems design and construction.
On the weekend you can find me…
Fishing.
My motto in life…
Do your best.
Ryan Wingard, PE, CPESC
Ryan is manager of the Civil Practice Group at Wright-Pierce. In this role he provides technical oversight and quality control for a wide variety of civil engineering projects. He has over two decades of water resources-related experience including wastewater system design, watershed characterization, planning, stormwater and wastewater system design, and project management. His specialties center on hydrology and hydraulics as they pertain to wastewater, water, CSO, dams, and watershed systems.
He has successfully managed a variety of water resources projects for various municipal, private, commercial, and industrial clients. His in-depth knowledge of hydrologic and hydraulic systems is a valuable asset for any water resources related project. Ryan is also a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC).
My motto in life…
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If I could be anywhere in the world I’d be…
On a golf course with my wife.
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