Hunt Valley, Maryland (18 January 2024)—EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA), a leading provider of interdisciplinary environmental services, proudly announces the implementation of its C-Suite succession plan, aimed at fortifying its leadership team for future growth. This transformative strategy marks a significant milestone in the promotion of internal talent to critical executive management roles. It underscores EA’s commitment to sustained excellence and ensuring continuity and innovation within the leadership team by nurturing and empowering its team of skilled professionals. The succession plan not only bolsters the executive team but also creates opportunities throughout the organization.
Chris Canonica, P.E. | Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chris steps into the role of COO, leveraging his 35 years of experience, including the last 22 years with EA. Having excelled as a Business Unit Director and Technical Chief, Chris brings a comprehensive understanding of the firm’s operations and a proven track record. After joining EA in 2002, he oversaw New York Operations before becoming Pacific Business Unit Director. In 2020, Chris took on the additional role of Chief Engineer, charged with maintaining practice guidelines and ensuring compliance with professional engineering laws and statutes, as part of EA’s Quality Management Program.
Sarah Ridgway, P.E. | EVP and Chief Transformation Officer (CTO)
Embracing the new role of CTO is Sarah Ridgway, a distinguished leader who has risen through the ranks. She has 28 years of professional experience—22 with EA. Sarah joined the firm in 2001 as an engineer and project manager before being promoted to Profit Center Manager in 2007, Vice President and Business Unit Director in 2012, and Senior Vice President in 2017. She has and continues to lead, facilitate, and/or support numerous companywide committees, working groups, and initiatives for strategic planning, diversity, equity, and inclusion; staff development; project and program management; employee engagement; servant leadership; and stakeholder management.
Brian Lesinski | EVP and Chief, Client Programs
Taking on the role of Chief of Client Programs is Brian Lesinski, an esteemed professional whose journey at EA has been marked by remarkable contributions advancing sustainability and strategic initiatives. His professional career spans 34 years, including the last 23 with EA. Brian previously served as manager of EA’s New England Operations, opening EA’s Rhode Island office. After moving into Client Programs in 2009, he was promoted to Director of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Management and Assurance in 2017, followed by Director of Service Lines and Strategies in 2020. In 2015, he was appointed EA’s first Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, leading organizational implementation of sustainable business practices, strategy, and reporting across operations and technical services.
Jason Echelle | EVP, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Treasurer
Adding the role of Treasurer to his current responsibilities, Jason has over 30 years of finance and accounting experience, including more than two decades with EA. He is the senior executive responsible for managing EA’s financial actions with primary responsibility for financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and management. Jason previously served as Controller and was promoted to CFO and Senior Vice President in 2021.
As part of this succession plan, the firm has appointed former COO Mike Battle and former Treasurer Peter Ney as Vice Chairs of EA’s Board of Directors. Both have served on EA’s Board since 2014.
Mike Battle | Vice Chair
Mike joined EA as a geologist in 1991, spending almost his entire professional career with the firm. He was promoted to New York Branch Manager in 1997, followed by Vice President in 1998 and Director of Northeast Operations in 1999. EA appointed Mike COO and Senior Vice President in 2004 and EVP in 2017. In this new role, Mike will serve in an advisory capacity for financial planning, policy, strategy, and reporting along with support of operational quality programs. He will also lead EA’s acquisitive growth efforts and represent the firm at key industry benchmarking conferences.
Peter Ney | Vice Chair
Now stepping into the role of Vice Chair, Peter joined EA in 2001 and most recently held the title of EVP and Treasurer. He is a nationally recognized advocate for employee ownership and will continue to manage the firm’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at the direction of EA’s Board Chair. Peter will also provide review and analysis of EA’s policies, long-term fiscal and stock performance and compliance, and ESOP planning and long-term investments.
“EA has benefitted greatly from the dedication and longevity of service of our executive team, who led the firm through tremendous growth over the last two decades,” said Ian MacFarlane, EA Chair, CEO, and President. “We take great pride in promoting internal talent to these pivotal leadership positions. Each has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and expertise within our organization, and we are confident in their ability to continue our collective success.”
About EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC
EA is a 100% employee-owned public benefit corporation that provides environmental, compliance, natural resources, and infrastructure engineering and management solutions to a wide range of public and private sector clients. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, EA employs more than 650 professionals through a network of 27 commercial offices across the continental United States, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. In our 50th year of business, EA has earned an outstanding reputation for technical expertise, responsive service, and judicious use of client resources. For more information about EA, visit www.eaest.com.
CONTACT:
Amy Lambert
EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC
225 Schilling Circle, Suite 400
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031
410-527-2410
alambert@eaest.com
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