JACKSON, Miss. (January 17, 2023) – As Neel-Schaffer nears the end of Year 2 of a 5-year Strategic Growth Plan, we are pleased to announce the promotion of eight leaders to the position of Vice President.
“The company grew in many areas in 2022 and we are pleased to recognize these eight new Vice Presidents for their commitment to our strategic initiatives,” said Robert Walker, PE, Chief Operating Officer. “Each of these extraordinary individuals embodies Neel-Schaffer’s mission of impacting their communities by their positive contributions. They are team players, driven to take care of our clients while demonstrating outstanding commitment to Neel-Schaffer.”
Congratulations to these new firm officers:
Anna Marie Chapman
Vice President, Human Resources
Anna Marie joined Neel-Schaffer in 2021 and leads all Human Resource initiatives for Neel-Schaffer and subsidiaries Maptech and True North Emergency Management. With more than 25 years of experience in the HR field, she is an expert in organizational strategy, talent acquisition, talent management and development, employee relations, compensation, benefits, acquisitions, safety, and risk management.
Dade Duke
Vice President, Senior Data Manager
Dade joined Neel-Schaffer subsidiary True North Emergency Management in 2016. Based in Arlington, Texas, he provides data management, operations, and field supervision services for debris management and removal projects following disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires. Most recently, Duke served as an operational Area Leader and Senior Data Manager for the Inland Branch wildfire recovery project in California.
Zach Foster, PE
Vice President, Project Manager
Zach joined Neel-Schaffer in 2011 and has more than 12 years of experience providing engineering design, project management, and construction management services for a wide variety of transportation and civil site design and development projects. Based in the firm’s Columbus office, Foster is a Registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi who recently completed the civil site design package for the $100 million Altex Steel Tube Manufacturing plant on the campus of Steel Dynamics near Columbus.
Craig High
Vice President, Biloxi Office Manager
Craig joined Neel-Schaffer in 1989 and was instrumental in opening the firm’s Biloxi (MS) office. He has more than 30 years of experience as a planner providing right-of-way acquisition and project support to clients across the Gulf Coast, including the Gulf Regional Planning Commission, the Coast Transit Authority, eight coastal municipalities, and the Jackson County Road Department. High is responsible for business development in South Mississippi, connecting client needs and funding opportunities.
Graham Legate, PE, DBIA
Vice President, Construction Management Practice Leader
Graham has more than 15 years of experience in the engineering and transportation construction fields. In 2022, he was promoted to Construction Management Practice Leader for the firm and is responsible for supporting all operations and business development initiatives for the Construction Management discipline. In addition to holding Professional Engineer licenses in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Arkansas, he is also DBIA certified through the Design-Build Institute of America.
Philip Sandel, PE, DBIA
Vice President, Operations Manager Carolinas and Georgia
Philip joined Neel-Schaffer in 2021 and oversees operations for the firm’s South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia Operations. His career spans over two decades focused on transportation infrastructure projects, including 14 with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, where he delivered more than 100 projects to let during his tenure. He holds DBIA certification through the Design-Build Institute of America and is a Registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina, where he is based.
Kelly Tam, PCM, CDMP
Vice President, Marketing
Kelly joined Neel-Schaffer in 2019 and leads the firm’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts. With a career spanning almost 20 years in the engineering industry, she is an expert in A/E/C marketing. She is experienced in digital marketing, event planning, branding, market research, corporate communications, and community relations. She holds Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) certifications.
Dishili Young, PE, PTOE, MCE
Vice President, Engineer Manager
Dishili has more than 20 years of experience providing program management, project management, and engineering design services for large-scale transportation projects. She joined Neel-Schaffer in 2017 and manages the firm’s Louisiana Transportation and Civil Design groups. In 2019, she was named Member of the Year by the Women Transportation Seminar (WTS) Louisiana Chapter for her extraordinary contributions to the organization’s success, and she currently serves as vice president for WTS Baton Rouge Chapter. In addition to being a Registered Professional Engineer in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Florida, and South Carolina, she is a certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer.
