At CEC, leadership is cultivated over time. Leadership transitions across our executive team showcase the strength of our culture and the opportunities available to those who grow their careers here. From project managers to corporate officers, the path to leadership at CEC is rooted in mentorship, client-first service, and commitment to employee development.
From Project Manager to CEO
When Dustin Kuhlman joined CEC in 2006, he didn’t imagine he would one day become our firm’s first non-founder CEO. Starting as a Project Manager in the Civil Engineering practice, Dustin quickly embraced opportunities to lead, first guiding the Pittsburgh Civil practice and later the Oil & Gas Market Group during the Marcellus shale boom. His rise was shaped by mentorship from CEC’s former leaders, like co-founder Greg Quatchak and former Civil Engineering Corporate Practice Lead Steve Donaldson, who instilled in him a focus on client care, quality, and balance.
Dustin points to those early lessons as foundational: “The theme is clients and employees. We want to take care of them both. Without either one of those, this doesn’t work.” Today, as CEO, Dustin emphasizes passing that wisdom along, just like past CEC leaders did with him: “I can’t overemphasize enough the importance of our managers and our leaders recognizing their obligation to develop the people around them.”
A Culture of Mentorship in Operations
That same spirit of growth is evident in the career of Harry Dravecky, who became Chief Operating Officer in 2023. With more than 38 years of consulting experience, Harry brought deep expertise when he joined CEC in 2018. But what he highlights most is the mentorship he received from both co-founder Ken Miller and former COO Dan Szwed. “They made me feel part of the family. I have learned from them both about our culture, the way we do business, and what’s important,” says Harry.
Harry describes CEC’s culture as grounded in two pillars: employees and clients. “We want to make sure we are looking out for our employees’ best interests in both their personal and professional lives. For clients, it is establishing lifelong relationships, getting to know them on a personal level, and providing high-quality service to them at all times.”
Technical Leadership, Built Over Decades
Technical excellence has always been a cornerstone of CEC’s success, and Michael Sheleheda’s career reflects that. With more than 25 years at CEC, Michael has led countless projects in civil and geotechnical engineering, building a reputation for technical rigor and practical solutions. In 2023, he stepped into the role of Chief Technical Officer. Today, he also serves as Vice President of Operations for several CEC offices, showing how technical expertise can grow into broader leadership.
A Legacy of Expertise and Strategic Leadership
Few embody CEC’s culture of continuity and growth like Mary Guinee. With more than 41 years of experience in environmental consulting — 32 of them at CEC — Mary has guided clients through some of the most complex real estate and redevelopment challenges. Starting as a Project Manager and now as Strategic Development Officer and a member of CEC’s Board of Directors, she combines her technical expertise with a forward-looking perspective on the company’s growth.
Over the course of her career, Mary has managed or reviewed thousands of environmental assessments, helping clients identify environmental liabilities, navigate regulatory processes, and transform legacy industrial sites into opportunities for redevelopment. From hands-on project work to corporate strategy, her journey shows how experience in the field can help shape thoughtful leadership.
Returning to Shape Our Workplace Culture
Leadership growth at CEC doesn’t always follow a straight line. For Jennifer Ciccone, the path included a return. Jennifer first joined CEC in 2017 as Vice President of Human Resources, where she helped shape the programs that make CEC a great place to work. After stepping away in 2020 to care for family, she rejoined in 2023 as Chief Human Resources Officer. Her expertise in culture change, coaching, and succession planning continues to strengthen CEC’s commitment to its people. Her return reflects not only her personal connection to CEC but also the enduring appeal of our culture.
Building the Future, Together
CEC’s newest generation of leaders share a commitment to client service, employee growth, and a culture that prioritizes both professional and personal well-being. Our leadership transitions demonstrate that CEC’s future is in the hands of those who have grown with us, learned from mentors, and are now ready to guide the next generation. When you invest in people, it creates a cycle of growth that benefits team members, clients, and the communities we serve.
Post a Comment