JACKSON, Miss. (February 17, 2026) – Neel-Schaffer is proud to announce that its Board of Directors has approved six Senior Vice President promotions and the appointment of 10 new Vice Presidents.

“I am happy to say that 2025 was another very good year for our firm,” said Robert Walker, PE, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. “Thanks to the hard work of our employees and the strategic hires we’ve made across our footprint, we are now approaching 700 employees. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident – it occurs because of talented people leaning in, stepping up, and helping move this firm forward.”

In recognizing the new officers, Robert offered:

“This group embodies that work ethic and the Neel-Schaffer core values of Care, Service, and Excellence. Many already lead as Practice Leads, Office Managers, or key technical and operational voices in their regions. Each has earned the trust of their colleagues, their clients, and this company. Their leadership, combined with the collective strength of our entire team, positions Neel Schaffer for another strong year in 2026.”

New Senior Vice Presidents

Dishili Curry, PE, PTOE, MCE | Sr. VP, Engineer Manager | Baton Rouge, LA

Dishili joined Neel-Schaffer in 2017 and has more than 20 years of experience as a Transportation Engineer and Manager. She serves as Louisiana Transportation Lead and represents Neel-Schaffer in multiple professional and non-profit organizations, including the Women Transportation Seminar (WTS). Dishili has played a pivotal role in securing recent significant projects with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD).

Graham Legate, PE, DBIA | Sr. VP, Construction Management Practice Lead | Jackson, MS

Since assuming his role of Construction Management Practice Lead in 2022, Graham has been instrumental in expanding Neel-Schaffer’s CEI services across the company. He is responsible for driving organizational growth and overseeing operations and business development initiatives for the Construction Management discipline throughout the firm’s nine-state footprint.

Gabe Faggard, PE, Gautier, MS | Sr. VP, Central MS Area Manager | Jackson, MS

Gabe joined the firm in 2022 after more than 25 years with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and has since helped grow and strengthen Neel-Schaffer’s CEI team across the state. In 2025, he was named Central Mississippi Area Manager, overseeing operations in the Jackson, Ridgeland, Madison, Brandon, Vicksburg, and Meridian offices. In collaboration with a strong team, he helped lead the winning proposal and delivery of CEI services on the $212 million MDOT State Route 57 Improvements project.

Craig Wyatt, PE, Chipley, FL | Sr. VP,  North Florida Area Manager | Chipley, FL

Craig joined Neel-Schaffer in 2019 and currently serves as the North Florida Area Manager. With more than 21 years of experience in Transportation Engineering and Construction Management, Craig has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Panhandle operation, expanding the CEI and Transportation Design staffs while hiring a key Municipal Market Senior Project Manager.

Justin Wood, PE, DBIA, Atlanta, GA | Sr. VP, Georgia Engineering Manager | Atlanta, GA

As Georgia Engineering Manager, Justin is focused on operations and business development throughout the state. With more than 20 years of experience, he previously served as Georgia Structural Lead. He has been instrumental in the expansion of the Georgia office, including the addition of a new Structural and Transportation Lead.

Brian Adams, PE, SE, CBI – Atlanta, GA | Sr. VP, Bridge Practice Lead | Georgia

Brian oversees bridge design teams across the company and helps grow structural services throughout our nine-state footprint. Brian’s innovative and collaborative mindset and readiness to explore new approaches helps clients solve complex infrastructure challenges. He has led a re-organization of the Bridge Practice at Neel-Schaffer and is positioning the group for growth and support of offices across the firm.

New Vice Presidents

Matt Stevenson, SMP, CSMC | VP, Director of Safety & Health | Baton Rouge, LA

Matt joined Neel-Schaffer in 2022 and has been instrumental in advancing the firm’s safety culture, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to safety and health across the organization. Matt has expanded inspection and training efforts across offices and job sites, strengthened regulatory compliance, and enhanced long-term safety strategies aligned with operational needs and loss control. He also serves as Neel Schaffer’s liaison to our captive insurance and OSHA.

Warren Huggins, PE | VP, Project Manager | New Orleans, LA

Warren is a versatile civil engineering leader with broad, multi-disciplinary experience supporting complex infrastructure projects across Neel-Schaffer’s footprint. His work spans rail, bridge, trenchless construction, site development, green infrastructure, and roadway and utility systems bringing integrated solutions to clients across markets. In recent years, he has focused on Ports and Harbors, collaborating with teams across multiple offices to advance project delivery.

Leah Selcer, PE | VP, Project Manager | Baton Rouge, LA

Leah serves as Louisiana Hydrology & Hydraulics Lead, overseeing hydrology and hydraulics efforts statewide and supporting the growth of Neel-Schaffer’s water resources practice. She is recognized for her technical expertise and leadership on complex drainage and hydrology projects across the firm. With extensive experience in civil, coastal, and water resources engineering, Leah brings a forward-looking approach to project delivery and team development.

Jason Leggett, PE | VP, Engineer Manager | Huntsville, AL

Jason has more than 20 years of industry experience and leads Neel-Schaffer’s water and wastewater client efforts in Alabama. He oversaw the opening of a new Neel-Schaffer office in Huntsville and helped the firm establish a presence in the growing greater Huntsville area market through strategic hires and client management. The Huntsville office reached capacity and is now expanding, supported by multiple project awards in the region.

Phil Ravotti, PE, DBIA | VP, East Region Alternative Delivery Leader | Georgia

Phil brings 19 years of experience delivering Design-Build and Alternative Delivery projects across Georgia and the Southeast. He provides direct oversight of the region’s Alternative Delivery program, from concept development through final design, while guiding workload forecasting, developing strategic partnerships, and working closely with senior leadership and practice leaders to align resources and sustain growth.

Clay Jones | VP, South Mississippi Business Development Coordinator | Biloxi, MS

Clay supports municipalities and counties across the Mississippi Gulf Coast through strategic client engagement and business development efforts. He brings a rare client-side perspective shaped by six years as City Manager for the City of D’Iberville, MS. That experience provides deep insight into municipal operations, procurement processes, and the challenges communities face when delivering infrastructure programs, including navigating state and federal funding opportunities.

Dustin Gatlin, PE | VP, Hattiesburg Office Engineer Manager | Hattiesburg, MS

Dustin is focused on strengthening operations, developing emerging professionals, and positioning the Hattiesburg office for long-term, sustainable growth. He has played a key role in expanding services, allowing the office to better support existing clients while pursuing new opportunities across the region. He also helped secure relationships with several new clients, including a regional healthcare provider, a design-build contractor, and multiple architectural firms.

William Sanford, PE | VP, Starkville Office Engineer Manager | Starkville, MS

William provides leadership for our growing Starkville team while continuing to support engineering delivery and business development efforts. After joining the firm in the Columbus office, he transitioned to Starkville to help lead the office’s next phase of growth and recently oversaw relocation to a larger downtown space. In addition to his office leadership role, William serves as a client manager and lead engineer for several area clients.

Graham Coffelt, PE | VP, Aviation Discipline Lead | Madison, MS

Graham is focused on expanding Neel-Schaffer’s aviation portfolio and growing our aviation team across the Southeast. He advances strategic pursuits, strengthens client relationships, and positions the firm for long-term growth in the aviation market. Graham has driven growth, supporting on-call program management efforts in North Carolina and helping secure key assignments in Mississippi, including Engineer of Record services for the Natchez–Adams County Airport.

Wes Mittlesteadt, PE, ENV SP | VP, Deputy Aviation Discipline Lead | Nashville, TN

Wes plays a key leadership role in advancing Neel-Schaffer’s aviation strategy by strengthening the firm’s market presence and expanding aviation services across its multi-state footprint. He has more than 20 years of experience spanning the private sector and the Federal Aviation Administration, positioning him to guide growth in complex regulatory and operational environments. Since joining Neel-Schaffer in 2025, he has attracted and developed top-tier aviation talent.