COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 6, 2025) – Neel-Schaffer has further strengthened its expanding South Carolina Construction, Engineering, and Inspection team with the recent hire of Chris Byrd, PE, CCM, as a Senior CEI Project Manager.

Chris has two decades of experience in the construction management field, focused mainly on some of the most complex bridge and roadway projects built in South Carolina. His expertise ranges from field level inspection and testing to project management and contract administration. This wide-ranging and varied experience enables him to effectively manage cost, quality, and time to ensure the successful delivery of projects to Neel-Schaffer clients.

Graham Legate, PE, DBIA, Neel-Schaffer’s Construction Management Practice Leader, said Chris will team with Neel-Schaffer’s South Carolina Construction Services Manager Dennis Townsend, PE, to “bring our CEI Group in South Carolina to the next level,” and that his hiring “is vitally important to attaining the growth we are seeking. He has extensive experience, and his reputation throughout the state is top-notch, matching the level of our existing team. His eagerness to jump in and help us expand our CEI services across the Carolinas reflects our company’s culture and our values of care, service, and excellence.”

Chris holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina and is a Certified Construction Manager through the Construction Management Certification Institution.