Congratulations to Our 2024 Officers!
December 20, 2024
We are pleased to announce the promotion of six S&ME employee-owners to Vice President!
Our Officers are recognized as leaders, team builders, and mentors with positive influences on our company and culture. Officers also create an inclusive environment where individuals with various backgrounds can reach their full potential, instill a “can do” vision and attitude, actively promote collaboration, and genuinely engage with our colleagues.
Each employee-owner below has made significant contributions to S&ME while providing us with responsible judgment, dedication to quality work, and collaboration with fellow employee-owners to improve individual and team efforts.
Matt Cooke, PE, PG
Office Principal-Project Manager
Columbia, SC
Matt Cooke has over 25 years of experience in the engineering consulting, and construction industry and is based in Columbia, SC. As the Columbia and Augusta Office Principal, Matt has led the offices to success over the last few years, while also maintaining high standards as a geotechnical engineer and project manager. He listens, follows through on his promises, and acts with integrity in every action.
His past experience involves planning and executing numerous geotechnical/geologic explorations and studies in the eastern US, including significant projects for nuclear power plant licensing and construction, and transportation infrastructure.
Matt is a driver of our business, focused on upholding our Core Values. He cares for our clients and his coworkers and will not sacrifice the quality of our work or the success of the company.
Matt is a registered engineer in NC& SC, and a registered geologist in SC, GA, and FL. Matt is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and participates in other professional organizations in the Columbia area. In his free time, Matt enjoys the outdoors, and spending time with his family and friends.
Doug Eller
Services Manager, Project Manager, CEI Practice Leader
Greensboro, NC
After a successful 30 years with NCDOT, Doug joined S&ME’s Transportation Group in 2021 based our of Greensboro, NC. He has an extensive background in contract administration and project management. During his career with NCDOT, he managed various complex projects that included roadway, structure, utility, and right-of-way components.
His primary focus at S&ME is to lead the NC CEI team, including project managers and CEI technicians as they deliver quality services for NCDOT. Fostering and building meaningful client relationships is a critical part of his role.
Doug has been instrumental in building our NC CEI team over the past three years. His passion for growing our team and serving NCDOT at the highest levels is evident in his positive attitude and caring nature with all S&ME employee-owners. Doug regularly visits numerous NCDOT division leaders across the state, with Materials and Testing leaders, and with Central Office representatives to evaluate their needs and identify inspector placement opportunities to support them. Under Doug’s leadership, the CEI program has consistently grown every year.
Erin Farris
Regional Director of Client Development – SC + GA
Greenville, SC
Erin Farris has 38 years of experience and is based in Greenville, SC. As Regional Director of Client Development – SC + GA, Erin has built many long-lasting relationships across the region.
Erin is very active outside of S&ME and is highly respected in the industry as she is involved in the South Carolina Economic Development Association, the North Carolina Economic Development Association, the Georgia Economic Development Association, the Southern Economic Development Council, the Upstate SC Alliance, the Central Carolina Alliance and the Committee of 100, the Western SC Alliance, the Northeastern Strategic Alliance, as well as numerous local economic development partner associations. She is also active in the Carolina’s Natural Gas Coalition and the Carolina’s Public Gas Association.
Erin is relied upon as a resource outside our region as well, by mentoring and assisting our seller-doers. She leads by example and is an ultimate teammate, whose purpose is building up her team, not herself.
“Build the Bench” is Erin’s mantra and she has been executing this strategy as she educates, mentors, and develops the employees around her to achieve success in client development in a way that is personal to them. Erin is also not limited by geographic borders and reaches out often across our footprint, pursuing leads, helping to forge connections, and promoting S&ME.
Shane Pike, PE
Principal Engineer, Project Manager
Knoxville, TN
Shane Pike has 22 years of experience in construction materials testing and is based in Knoxville, TN. As a Principal Engineer, Project Manager, Shane delivers high-quality services working with our major clients such as TDOT, CHA Companies (Knoxville Airport), and the University of Tennessee.
Shane brings extensive experience in construction-related projects, specializing in project management, foundation evaluation and inspections, field and lab testing of construction materials, floor flatness profiling, observation of construction activities, and crosshole sonic logging of drilled shafts.
In addition, Shane is well respected for his technical expertise, providing Senior Review for S&ME’s Knoxville, Tri-Cities, Nashville, Huntsville, Chattanooga, Lexington, Cincinnati, Duluth, and New Albany offices. A natural mentor and coach who excels at team building, especially on large complex projects, Shane regularly accompanies early career staff in the field to train on technical skills.
Shane is a registered engineer in TN and KY.
Carl Rogers
Senior Project Manager, Oil & Gas Practice Leader
Charlotte, NC
Carl Rogers has 24 years of experience and is based in Charlotte, NC. As the Oil & Gas Practice Leader, Carl serves as Senior Project Manager on large complex linear natural gas and energy projects.
He is also our Client Manager for Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) and Enbridge Gas North Carolina (EGNC) and guides our team of engineers, scientists, and technicians who focus on providing a broad range of turnkey consulting services for natural gas clients in the Carolinas, and across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
Carl has been heavily involved in starting and developing our Oil & Gas sector work since 2005. He has been critical in learning the natural gas industry, growing relationships with several key energy clients over the years (DESC, EGNC, Roeslein, YCNGA, PNG, Williams, etc.), and expanding the services S&ME offers to those clients.
Carl has embraced our core value of “Lead from Where You Are” and has established himself as a driver in the Oil & Gas Market Segment. Carl is passionate about his industry and works to develop young talent and teams across our footprint to ensure high quality in our work.
Sam Watts, PG
Senior Client Developer
Raleigh, NC
Sam Watts has 31 years of experience and is based in Raleigh, NC. Sam has broad experience in environmental, hydrogeologic, and geotechnical projects. By establishing strategic partnerships and providing value-added services to clients’ projects/processes, Sam incorporates sustainability goals into project development, provides site characterization for real estate transactions and site development, assists with permitting compliance, and advises on regulatory issues affecting business & operations. Sam excels at providing solutions to client’s needs with the highest degree of scientific, professional, and personal integrity.
Sam’s motto is, ‘Start with Yes!’ Sam is highly approachable and a supportive individual who values mentoring and encouraging staff to succeed. He has an “open-door policy” throughout the company and is willing to listen and help whenever he can.
Sam’s innate leadership, teaching abilities, and dedication to mentorship have not only enriched the skills and knowledge of his team but have also positioned him as a trusted and reliable resource for technical, project management, and client development advice.
Sam is a registered Professional Geologist in NC and is an active member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the North Carolina Association of Environmental Professionals (NCAEP).
Congratulations on this recognition, and we thank each of you for your dedication to S&ME!