Doe Mountain: Expanding Tennessee's Recreation Opportunities

Decades of Dedication: Recognizing McGill’s 2025 Tenured Employees

Each year during our Christmas celebration, we honor team members whose dedication and expertise have shaped our success for decades. These tenured professionals bring invaluable knowledge to our processes, policies, and operations while mentoring new employees and building lasting client relationships. Their commitment helps us maintain consistency and quality in an industry that continues to evolve.

10 Years of Service

Nathan Sawyer, PE, Project Manager Asheville Civil / Solid Waste

Right out of high school, Nathan started his career as a CAD drafter for a small civil engineering firm in California. Over the past 20 years, he has worked his way up to becoming a professional engineer and project manager. Nathan has been involved in a multitude of residential and commercial projects for private and public clients.

“If you need something done… Nate is your guy. He is truly clutch, and he has been for 10 years.” -Mark Cathey, Principal/Vice President/Regional Manager

Tommy Smith, Construction Field Representative Hickory

With over 25 years of experience in construction and maintenance, Tommy has spent the last decade specializing in pavement assessment and construction. His expertise and approachable nature make him unforgettable.

“He is someone that if you’ve met him, you’ll never forget it. He is a specialist in his field.” – Doug Chapman, Principal /Vice President/Regional Manager

20 Years of Service

Forrest Westall, PE, Director of Regulatory Relations

Forrest has a strong water quality management background and has helped develop and administer many North Carolina Water Quality programs. He deeply understands the laws, regulations, and processes that guide the agencies that manage surface water across the entire state. Forrest is skilled at guiding the environmental review and permitting processes from start to finish.

“Forrest literally wrote the book in North Carolina water quality programs. His unique understanding of regulations and processes that drive water quality permitting have helped dozens of our clients, and their attorneys, over the years.” -Andy Lovingood, President

Joel Whitford, PE, Senior Project Manager Hickory Water / Wastewater

Joel has more than 27 years of experience in water and sewer infrastructure improvements. From inception to permitting and construction, Joel manages projects with precision and care. His strong partnerships with local governments have led to successful outcomes on everything from minor requests to major construction projects.

“We call him “The Oak.” He is firm, always there, and dependable.” -Doug Chapman, Principal /Vice President/Regional Manager

30 Years

Nancy Whitman: Vice President of Finance

Nancy is responsible for the overall financial management of the firm, including accounting, financial planning, and analysis. Her 37 years of experience allows her to effectively manage the financial responsibilities of the firm as well as the human resources department. In this role, she has become an essential strategic partner and adviser for the firm. Under Nancy’s guidance, McGill has established a robust financial record, increased its capacity to do business, and recruited and retained some of the most experienced engineering and support personnel in the industry.

“For the past 30 years, Nancy has been a guiding force at McGill Associates. We couldn’t have gotten here without her.” – Andy Lovingood, President

40 Years of Service

Leo Smith: IT Services Manager

For four decades, Leo has been the backbone of McGill’s IT infrastructure. He has dedicated years to ensuring seamless operations across the firm. Leo’s unmatched expertise and commitment have kept systems stable, secure, and efficient, enabling our team to perform at their best. His deep knowledge of every facet of McGill’s technology environment and his proactive approach to problem-solving have made him an indispensable resource.

“Leo is the longest tenured employee at McGill Associates, and he certainly did not achieve this status without always having McGill’s best interests in mind. Leo has worn many hats over the years and has always been willing to pivot his position as the company grew.” -Mark Cathey, Principal/Vice President/Regional Manager

A Culture of Commitment

Tenured employees add tremendous value to the firm, and they demonstrate that working for McGill is a rewarding and positive experience. There are currently 42 staff members who have been with McGill for over 10 years. We take pride in employing some of the industry’s brightest and most talented, and we make it a priority to support them in all areas of their careers.

We are deeply grateful to these dedicated individuals for their loyalty and leadership. Their contributions inspire us all and set the standard for excellence at McGill. Here’s to celebrating their achievements—and to many more years of shared success!