Following the firm’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Wright-Pierce announced several new leadership team members. Laura Riley and Edward Leonard have been appointed to the firm’s Board of Directors as Vice Presidents, Robert Barnes has taken a new role as Operations Manager, and seven new company Shareholders have been named. These promotions reflect the most recent, strategic step of Wright-Pierce’s established ownership transition plan.
Wright-Pierce is owned by a group of key employee stockholders, representing about 20% of employees. The new Shareholders, nominated for their demonstrated leadership, are (listed alphabetically): Christopher Baggett, PE (Tampa, FL); Britt Eckstrom, PE (Portsmouth, NH); Thomas Hogan, PE (Westfield, MA); Steven LaPrise, PE (Andover, MA); Brian Messner, PE (Middletown, CT); Louis Ragozzino, PE (Providence, RI); and Dylan Thisse, PE (Saratoga Springs, NY).
President/CEO, John Braccio, commented “Wright-Pierce is managed by Shareholder employees who are invested in the mission and success of our clients and our company. The addition of these proven leaders demonstrates how we continue to optimize the combined expertise of our staff to support our mission to enhance our clients’ success by delivering reliable solutions, responsive service, and superior value.”
Edward Leonard, PE, is a Vice President, member of Wright-Pierce’s Board of Directors, and Director of Operations. Ed leverages his 20 years of experience in planning, design, and construction of wastewater and water facilities to oversee the firm’s Building Design disciplines. As Director of Operations, he develops and standardizes the company’s QA/QC practices and mentoring and training programs.
Laura Riley, CPA, is a Vice President, member of Wright-Pierce’s Board of Directors, and Chief Financial Officer. She is responsible for providing financial direction and strategies to improve efficiencies of process and to strengthen best practices with the overall goal to deliver superior value to the firm’s clients. Laura leverages her demonstrated, hands-on experience in both public and private accounting as part of Wright-Pierce’s leadership team.
Robert Barnes, Operations Manager and Shareholder, is an environmental technical specialist and process design leader. Bob utilizes his 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 by employing leading-edge technologies and cost-effective methods and strategies. He also manages the firm’s construction services division which oversees more than 100 projects annually.
To learn more about how Wright-Pierce can help your community, contact us today.