Gary Warner Presents at 2024 NCRPA Parks and Recreation Conference
December 2, 2024
ESP is pleased to announce and congratulate our new Business Unit and Region Executives. Well established within their firms and markets, these recognized leaders join a strategic leadership team created to further streamline communication and collaboration across the enterprise.
Meet ESP's Business Unit Executives
Matt Levesque, PLA - Community Infrastructure (ESP | Fort Mill, SC)
Matt Levesque has over 24 years of experience in the management and design of community infrastructure projects. Joining ESP in 2004, he has led multi-disciplinary teams across the country to deliver successful land development projects from inception to completion, including residential, commercial/industrial, education, and parks and recreation. Matt’s commitment to strategic hiring, creative autonomy, and collaboration across service lines has also guided the expansion of ESP’s planning and landscape architecture division into new markets. As Community Infrastructure Business Unit Executive, Matt will leverage his experience identifying opportunities for growth within our established client base and managing staff capacity to meet the needs of increasing workloads. Matt is a licensed landscape architect in multiple states and graduated with a B.L.A. in Landscape Architecture from Clemson University.
David M. Key, PE, CFM - Water (ESP | Morrisville, NC)
David Key has dedicated more than 30 years to updating and improving the modeling, mapping, and analysis of hazards to assist communities in the identification and mitigation of flood risk. Throughout his career, he has led hundreds of water resources and GIS projects in 15 states, covering all types of flooding scenarios. Since joining ESP in 2007, David has led many notable projects, including the award-winning NC Flood Inundation & Alert Network (FIMAN & FIMAN-T), Mecklenburg County’s Risk Assessment & Risk Reduction (RARR) dashboard and flood early warning system, and the Transportation Surge Analysis Prediction Program (T-SAPP). In this new role, his passion for innovation, mentorship, and client service will continue to be instrumental in the growth and technical leadership of the Water Business Unit. David is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states and a certified floodplain manager. He graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from NC A&T State University and a B.A. in Math from UNC Greensboro.
Ryan C. Swingley, PS - Geospatial (ESP | Indianapolis, IN)
Ryan Swingley has over 27 years of experience in the survey profession for both private and public sector clients, including departments of transportation and local public agencies. Joining ESP in 2013, he quickly established himself as a team-oriented leader who unites people toward common goals by fostering creativity, honesty, integrity, and mutual respect among his teams. Thriving on technical and professional challenges, Ryan has also played an integral role in ESP’s adoption and implementation of new and emerging survey technologies and practices. As Geospatial Business Unit Executive, his personal approach to leadership will continue to help unite and strengthen survey teams, advance ESP’s geospatial services, and make positive contributions to the field of surveying. He is a licensed professional land surveyor in multiple states and graduated with an A.S. in Land Surveying Technology from Vincennes University.
Marty J. Smith, PE - Geo-Environmental (ESP | Fort Mill, SC)
Marty Smith has over 30 years of experience in the geotechnical engineering, materials testing, Special Inspections, and environmental arena. Joining ESP in 2000 and assuming progressive responsibility from project manager to department manager to division manager, Marty’s leadership has helped guide and expand ESP’s Geotechnical Testing & Inspections (GTI) division from just one location to providing services throughout the Carolinas. As Geo-Environmental Business Unit Executive, Marty will leverage the strong client and partner relationships he has built and will continue to mentor staff on client relationship development and our commitment to delivering quality work that makes a positive impact on project teams and supports the success of important community projects. Marty is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte.
Mike Leahy, PE, PSM - Power (Pickett | Tampa, FL)
Mike Leahy has been the driving force behind operations at Pickett and Associates (an ESP Company) for over a decade as Chief Operating Officer. With over 35 years of experience in transmission line engineering and surveying, Mike’s success is built upon his passion for relationship building, client care, and team safety and well-being. Having spent his formative years at Tampa Electric Company, Mike has a unique perspective on the needs and standards of utility clients and leads power projects with innovation and expertise, making him a trusted partner among his clients and teams. As a licensed professional engineer and surveyor, he provides a holistic breadth of industry knowledge and will lead the Power Business Unit as a visionary and doer. Mike holds a Construction Engineering Technology degree from SUNY Alfred, B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, and M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of South Florida.
Ben Galvan, RPLS, PE - Transportation (CivilCorp | Victoria, TX)
Ben Galvan, President of CivilCorp, joined the ESP enterprise in July 2023. Founding CivilCorp in 2008 with just eight employees, CivilCorp now boasts a team of 107 professionals across five offices throughout Texas. Before his transition to consulting, Ben worked for TxDOT in the Corpus Christi and Yoakum Districts, contributing to the design, construction, and maintenance of Texas roadways. As Transportation Business Unit Executive, he brings over 38 years of experience in surveying and design engineering as well as a commitment to integrity, authenticity, and client service that aligns perfectly with ESP’s values and makes him a valuable addition to the ESP enterprise. Ben is a licensed professional engineer and surveyor who holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&I University and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston-Victoria.
Keith Meyer, PE - PM/CM (Ditesco | Fort Collins, CO)
Keith Meyer, President of Ditesco, founded the firm in 2006 after recognizing the need for a full-service project and construction management (PM/CM) firm with a strong engineering focus to guide projects through planning, design, and construction. Under his leadership, Ditesco has become Northern Colorado’s leading PM/CM firm, delivering over $1 billion in constructed improvements throughout the region. With 30 years of experience in Colorado, Keith has focused on enhancing local communities through projects that ensure safe drinking water, improve transportation, and provide essential utilities to residents and businesses. As Program & Construction Management Business Unit Executive, he brings extensive expertise in local, federal, and state contract administration, procurement, project oversight, risk management, claims avoidance, and overall delivery strategy. Keith is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University.
Meet ESP's Region Executives
Scott Childers, PE - Headquarters (ESP | Fort Mill, SC)
Scott Childers has over 25 years of civil engineering experience in the community development, municipal infrastructure, and education markets for both public and private sector clients. Joining ESP in 2005, his passion for collaboration across disciplines has led to expansion and diversification within ESP’s civil engineering and infrastructure division, resulting in additional opportunities for growth and innovation across the firm. As Headquarters Region Executive, Scott brings extensive knowledge and understanding of client and project needs throughout the region and particularly in York and Lancaster counties, where he has spent his life and career, has served on various planning and zoning committees and school boards, and is currently the Board Chair of York School District 1 and the elected Region 13 Director of the South Carolina School Board Association. Scott is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clemson University and a B.S. in Physics from Erskine College.
Brian E. Johnson, PE - East (ESP | Morrisville, NC)
Brian Johnson has more than 30 years of civil engineering experience, including high-profile projects in the federal, education, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and residential markets for both private and public sectors. Since joining ESP in 2022, he has served as Branch Manager for ESP’s Raleigh office, providing leadership and strategy for cross-departmental teams, business development, and key performance indicators. As a servant leader, Brian focuses on helping clients and project teams realize the full potential of each project and supporting staff to reach professional goals and produce their best work. As East Region Executive, Brian will continue to create strong, collaborative relationships based on trust and respect to serve our clients and each other well. Brian is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Thomas C. Kuykendall, Jr., PE - West (CivilCorp | Houston, TX)
Tommy Kuykendall, Vice President of CivilCorp, joined the ESP enterprise in July of 2023. Tommy joined CivilCorp in April of 2009 and successfully opened our Houston office. Tommy has over 30 years of engineering design and project management experience in roadway design, traffic control, cost estimating, and construction project management and inspection for highways, roads, bridges, drainage, and other civil engineering projects. Having worked for TxDOT for 12 years and served as Mayor of Fulshear for six years, Tommy’s experience brings a unique set of perspectives to our clients. As West Region Executive, he is excited to continue collaborating across the ESP enterprise to help our teams and communities grow and achieve success together. Tommy is a licensed professional engineer and has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Houston.
