Thomas L. Pennella

Biography

Thomas Pennella serves as the President of CH2M’s Industrial & Urban Environments business group. In this role, Thomas is responsible for supporting profitable growth of the Industrial & Advanced Technology and Urban Environments & Sports business operations. He is also a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Thomas has more than 30 years of leadership and management experience in creating, defining and delivering effective solutions to address complex business and technical needs. Thomas is focused on enhancing clients’ profitability and competitiveness through effective management and delivery of projects related to power generation, industrial processes, civil infrastructure and sustainable urban environments. He is experienced in defining and achieving business objectives from planning through implementation for operations, organizations, systems, technologies and projects. He has a track-record of effectiveness in cross-cultural and multicultural settings. Throughout his career, Thomas has successfully completed numerous business management and project assignments encompassing strategy development, business planning, project management, technical consulting and project delivery in areas relating to industrial processes, utility infrastructure, telecommunications systems, environmental compliance and sustainability. He has led projects and programs in our Water, Industrial, Environmental, Nuclear, Energy and Transportation business groups. Prior to his current role, Thomas was the Global Operations Director for CH2M’s former Energy business group with an emphasis on supporting the Power operation. Along with his role as President of Industrial & Urban Environments, he retains leadership responsibility for the firm’s remaining Power EPC project portfolio. Thomas has served as CH2M’s Regional Managing Director for the Middle East operation and as Operations Manager for International Operations. During this time, he was responsible for the development, leadership and management to further CH2M’s market presence, delivery capacity and long-term business objectives outside of the U.S. Concurrently, Thomas led the effort to define and launch what has become the firm’s Urban Environments & Sports business. Earlier, as CH2M’s Director of Corporate Development, Thomas directed CH2M’s investments in strategic acquisitions and integration of major business operations to build capabilities in critical growth markets including industrial, transportation, water resources, oil & gas, and power. Prior to joining CH2M in 1984, Thomas worked for General Electric as an international field engineer within GE’s Gas Turbine division. During this time he completed turbine/generator installation and start-up projects in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Puerto Rico and various locations within the U.S. Education Master’s degree in business administration, Georgia State University, cum laude 1998 Post Baccalaureate Studies, humanities, Georgia State University, 1989 to 1990 Post Baccalaureate Studies, School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1988 Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering, Clarkson University, cum laude 1980

Research Interest

 business administration