WK Dickson Leadership

Fostering Progress in Engineering

Our management team leads the way

David Pond

David joined WK Dickson as Executive VP and COO in 1985 and transitioned into the President's role in 2019. With the retirement of David Peeler in 2020, David assumed the dual role of President and CEO. Much of David's early career was spent as a project manager in the environmental field, which included water storage facilities, water distribution systems, water & wastewater pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, sewer systems, and stormwater drainage improvements.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC, SC, GA, AL, FL, & VA
  • Board Certified Environmental Engineer
Scott Whalen

Scott began his career in public service with the NC Department of Transportation where he progressed to an engineering manager with a focus on transportation design projects. Today he specializes in water resources with a focus on stormwater management and hydrology. Scott was also responsible for managing WK Dickson’s Raleigh, NC office. He founded the company’s watershed services practice and still actively participates in that group’s management. In 2019, Scott became COO and oversees the day to day operations of the firm's regional offices.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering Technology; Bluefield State College
  • MS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University
  • MBA in Business Administration; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC, GA, & VA
Chris Nugent

Prior to assuming the duties of CFO, Chris had been the Director of Information Technology with WK Dickson for nearly 10 years and has held a wide range of other technical and management positions. In 2005 he was responsible for developing the intricate accounting and financial systems the firm still uses today. As CFO, Chris' primary responsibilities include management of both the operating and capital budgets and leading the accounting, financial management and information technology departments.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; Texas A&M University
Kraig Kern

Kraig joined WK Dickson in 2001 as the Corporate Marketing Coordinator, and was later promoted to Director of Marketing in 2003, and named a Vice President in 2013. He is the firm's executive responsible for all marketing, public relations, and corporate communications functions as they relate to broad-based development for the firm. His duties involve strategic planning; corporate branding; firm-wide data coordination; development of the firm's online presence; special event planning; skills training; and multi-level market research. Kraig has been very active in the engineering industry having founded the Climb for Water organization as well as serving on the board of the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina (ACEC/NC).

Academic Background:

  • BA in Corporate Communications; Indiana State University
  • BA in Journalism; University of Florida

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM)
  • sUAS Remote Pilot Airman Certification
  • Certified Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist
Lisa Eggert

Lisa is an experienced human resources executive with a demonstrated history of working in the service industry. With nearly 30 years in HR, she is expertly skilled in benefits administration, compensation administration, recruitment and retention, strategic planning, training and development, and employee relations.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Human Resouces Management; St. Mary's University
Paul Smith

Paul is WK Dickson’s aviation practice leader. With decades of experience in airport planning, engineering, programming, and construction management, he provides advice, leadership, and oversight to the firm’s airside planning/engineering, and landside planning/engineering task leaders. He also serves as a liaison between clients and the FAA as it relates to project development, funding, project advocacy and positioning, and overall communication with state and federal agencies. Paul has spent the majority of his career serving commercial air-carrier airports.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC
Bryan Odom

Bryan is the firm's practice leader for the water resources group which includes water, wastewater, stormwater, and watershed sciences. His expertise is in the design and construction of major municipal water and wastewater capital improvement projects. Bryan has responsibility for providing business development and general oversight to the firm’s water resources design and engineering teams and plays a large part in directing much of the development of WK Dickson’s water resources group.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil & Environmental Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC, SC, GA, & TN
Lisa Wells

With more than 19 years of experience in the civil and environmental field, Lisa brings a broad perspective and knowledge of both public infrastructure and private industry projects. Her public experience includes stormwater utility and program management, capital planning and project management for gray and green infrastructure, asset management for stormwater systems and wastewater collection, watershed master planning, floodplain management, and sewer collection system operations and project implementation.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; Clemson University
  • MS in Civil Engineering; Clemson University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC, SC
  • Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
Angie Mettlen

Angie has over 28 years in the water industry and has become a recognized leader in state and federal infrastructure funding and regulatory programs. To date, she has been instrumental in securing well over $150 million in funding for clients and developing strategies, such as utilizing peracetic acid for wastewater treatment, to meet the ever-changing regulatory environment. Angie values giving back to this industry and her community. She is a past chair and current secretary of the SC Section of AWWA and was recently appointed to the Clemson University Board of Visitors.

Academic Background:

  • BS in BioScience/Bioengineering; Clemson University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • AWWA Risk & Resiliency Assessment/Emergency Response Planning Certification
  • NASSCO PACP/MACP/LACP Certification
Jeremy Brashears

Jeremy, as a regional water/wastewater practice leader, leads WK Dickson’s growth in the South Carolina region. He has over 14 years of project and program management experience throughout the Carolinas which includes traditional water and sewer infrastructure design and construction, as well as asset management program development and implementation. He has overseen numerous EPA regulatory consent efforts including the separation of combined sewer systems, emergency responses to curtail overflows, and systematic development of capacity, management, operations, and maintenance (CMOM) programs.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Information Management; University of South Carolina
  • BS in Civil Engineering; The Citadel
  • MS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in SC, NC, GA, & VA
  • NASSCO PACP/MACP/LACP Certification
Brian Tripp

Brian is an industry leader in the environmental field related to water resources. His knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations with regard to water resources engineering is a tremendous asset to the firm. He has overseen all aspects of environmental projects including project assessment and development, funding, design, permitting, startup operation, and maintenance.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Biosystems Engineering; Clemson University
  • ME in Civil & Environmental Engineering; University of South Carolina

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC, SC, GA, & TN
  • Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)
Clay Cannon

Clay brings over two decades of civil engineering and senior-level project management experience to the leadership team. He is responsible for the operations in the Midlands and plays a significant role in directing much of the growth of WK Dickson’s overall infrastructure consulting services in the Midlands. Clay's specialties include civil/site design with a focus on commercial, K-12, higher education, recreation, municipal, and industrial design, including geometric roadway design, grading plans, parking layouts, stormwater system design, and municipal sanitary sewer and water system design. 

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; Clemson University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in SC
Bill Young

Bill has more than two decades of experience in all facets of the planning, design, permitting, construction, and management of civil engineering projects related primarily to water and wastewater treatment facilities and conveyance systems. As regional manager of WK Dickson’s Charleston office, Bill oversees complex and critical utility projects throughout the low country and coastal regions.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; University of Connecticut
  • MS in Civil Engineering; State University of New York
  • MBA in Business AdministrationGeorgia State

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in SC & NC
Trey Wingate

Trey has spent the entirety of his professional engineering career with WK Dickson. When he is not managing the operations of the Augusta and Atlanta offices, he serves as a senior project manager utilizing a hands-on approach to assist clients in getting their projects from preliminary design through construction. He has experience in municipal water and sewer design along with broad expertise in most aspects of the civil design practice. The bulk of his experience over the last decade has been in assisting local governments and various public service districts solve their water and wastewater needs. Trey is also responsible for overseeing the firmwide QA/QC program, to ensure that the project, the engineer, the firm, and the client all benefit.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in GA, SC, NC & FL
  • Level II Certified Design Professional - GSWCC
Bressler_Bernley_square

With an impressive 15-year track record in developing and implementing effective market strategies, Bernly brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of success to his role as WK Dickson's Director of Energy Services. With a particular focus in energy innovation and sustainability, Bernly is well-positioned to help drive WK Dickson's continued success and growth within the energy sector. 

Academic Background:

  • BS in Biology; Randolph-Macon College
  • MBA in Business AdministrationVirginia Commonwealth University
Ryan Blake

Ryan is a civil engineer with a focus on water resources. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Ryan specializes in the management of water and wastewater rehabilitation projects as well as pipelines and pump stations. He balances his time managing the operation of both the Knoxville and Chattanooga offices. 

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; University of Tennessee

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in TN
Scott Sigmon

Scott has been with WK Dickson since 1999 and his engineering background is in projects related to stormwater management and design for urban watersheds. He began his career with stormwater modeling and quickly rose as the primary lead for all of WK Dickson’s North Carolina stormwater program. Scott is a strong mentor who trains his people to eventually take leadership roles. He brings a personable management style, solid work ethic, and a collaborative spirit to the WK Dickson Raleigh regional office.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; North Carolina State University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC & SC
Bryan Thomas

Bryan is experienced in a wide variety of civil engineering and land development projects including higher education and institutional development, commercial and industrial sites, and urban infrastructure projects for municipalities. His work also includes natural gas and solar facilities; and residential, transportation, and railway developments. His specialty is project oversight, managing resources, and providing an exceptional client experience. Bryan is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the SC Economic Developers Association, the SC Association of Stormwater Managers, and the SC Urban Land Institute.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; University of South Carolina

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in SC, NC & GA
Mike Jones

Mike is licensed as a professional engineer and has worked for the last 30 years in the areas of land planning, water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, and stormwater management.  In addition to engineering design and project management functions, other areas of practice include environmental investigations, project feasibility assessments, and project layout, including conceptual placement of utility infrastructure. 

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering Technology; Southern College Technology
  • MS in Civil Engineering; University of Tennessee

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in GA & AL
Carter Hubard

Carter began his career at WK Dickson in 2001 and has served as both program and project manager for a diverse list of municipal clients along the east coast. He possesses water and wastewater engineering experience spanning water line planning and permitting, hydraulic analysis, route analysis, and construction, sewer system assessment and rehabilitation, wastewater treatment high rate infiltration, and water supply wells. Carter is one of the firm's most knowledgeable water and wastewater treatment engineers.

Academic Background:

  • BS in Civil Engineering; Virginia Military Institute
  • MS in Civil Engineering; Villanova University

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Professional Engineer (PE) in NC & SC

More on WK Dickson

Our Legacy

Learn More About the History of WK Dickson

Our Culture

How we foster excellence in our work

In The Community

WK Dickson creates positive change in the Southeast