News

Terracon Announces Key Organizational Changes

Growing Company Confirms New CEO and Leadership

OLATHE, Kan. — Terracon, a nationally known and respected consulting engineering firm, announces several strategic organizational changes designed to guide the company as it continues to grow.

M. Gayle Packer is now chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Terracon Consultants, Inc. This completes a deliberate, multiyear succession process, following her appointment as president in June 2018. Prior to being named president, Packer served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer (CAO). As CAO, Packer coordinated the acquisition and integration of more than 50 companies, 100 offices and 2,000 employees. She succeeds David Gaboury, P.E., who served in leadership roles at Terracon for more than 16 years, most recently as CEO. Gaboury continues as Terracon’s chairman through 2021.

The following promotions further support Terracon’s progressive growth:

• Michael O’Grady, P.E., is now chief development and safety officer, responsible for the development, growth, and quality of all service lines and business sectors and related strategic initiatives. During the past 18 years, O’Grady has been instrumental in developing Terracon’s Materials Service Line practice and for the past six years, also leading the development of its safety culture. He will continue to chair Terracon’s Incident and Injury-Free (IIF) safety efforts in this expanded role. O’Grady formerly served as executive vice president of Materials and Safety.
• John Prutsman is now chief people officer, focusing on the employee experience of Terracon’s more than 4,500 employee-owners. Since joining the firm four years ago, Prutsman has served as senior vice president of Human Resources and Employee Development and Wellbeing. He will continue to chair Terracon’s Employee Engagement Leadership Team to innovate key people initiatives such as Connection and Career Conversations. He also joins Terracon’s Executive Committee.
• Mike Yost is now chief legal officer, tasked with helping to guide the company through complex risks and legal issues. He will also provide additional support to Terracon’s operating group managers, and the mergers and acquisition process. Yost served as general counsel for more than 10 years, assisting the company with legal and risk management issues.
• Kristi Tahmasiyan is now director of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), guiding the strategic development and execution of the M&A program. Over the past 10 years, she has helped integrate more than 40 companies into the firm and is a frequent industry presenter.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 4,500 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon currently ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms.