Gannett Fleming Names Robert Scaer as Chairman of Board

1/16/17

Robert M. Scaer, PE

Global engineering and infrastructure firm Gannett Fleming named two company veterans to its top leadership positions. Effective Jan. 7, 2017, Robert M. Scaer, PE, is chairman of the board and chief executive officer; and Paul D. Nowicki, PE, is president and chief operating officer.

Scaer is the eighth person in the 100-year history of Gannett Fleming to serve as chairman and CEO. In this role, he is responsible for formulating and implementing the strategic action plan that guides the direction of the firm and drives the company's continued growth and expansion into new markets. Scaer's experience and leadership equip the firm to continue the diversification of its service offerings, raise its profile as an employer of choice, and further elevate its role as an industry leader.

Scaer served as president and COO from 2009 through 2016, transforming the day-to-day operations, as well as the business and strategic planning firm-wide. He led the firm through a reorganization in 2016 that advanced the company's collaboration, profitability and growth, ensuring the company's agility and ability to deliver value to its clients in the years ahead.

He also was the chief information officer from 2004 to 2013, during which time he led the firm through a digital infrastructure transformation and oversaw the corporation's enterprise information technology (IT) systems. From 2002 to 2009, Scaer was president of GeoDecisions, Gannett Fleming's geospatial and IT solutions division. He holds a patent for IRRIS® technology, a web-based, decision-support and geographic information system that integrates transportation, logistics, in-transit visibility/total asset visibility and infrastructure data in a single, secure application.

"You won't find a firm more committed to delivering excellence than Gannett Fleming," remarked Scaer. "Remaining on the cutting edge, being thought leaders, and delivering better value to our clients and teaming partners is who we are. It's in our DNA."

"I'm also passionate about the vital role of diversity and inclusiveness in our company culture," continued Scaer. "The best creativity and best new ideas, which is what our clients need, can only happen with a diverse workforce. Different people with different backgrounds will have different perspectives, and that is key to helping our clients solve their most pressing infrastructure challenges."

Scaer started with Gannett Fleming in 1982, upon graduating with a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Purdue University. He also holds a masters of business administration from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania.

Nowicki steps in as President and COO

Paul Nowicki succeeds Scaer in the role of president and COO. He is responsible for establishing Gannett Fleming's comprehensive goals for performance, leading the day-to-day direction and operations, and overseeing the overall performance of the company. He also oversees the daily operations of more than 60 offices worldwide. An exemplary leader, Nowicki demonstrates an innate ability to engage employees and inspire them to deliver unprecedented results that drive firm growth and client satisfaction.

Nowicki served as Gannett Fleming's Southeast Region director from 2014 through 2016, during which time he directed operations for offices in Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana. He led a realignment of the region's business lines to focus on high-growth sectors, including earth sciences, water, transportation and construction services. Nowicki also established strong, multidisciplinary teams in the region, which set the stage for the firm's growth and success across the southeastern U.S.

From 2006 to 2014, Nowicki served as Gannett Fleming's Northeast Region director and oversaw the operations of its New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire offices. While in this role, he led the region to record growth and profits through the strategic expansion of its business lines – including transportation, water, architectural and construction services – as well as through strategic hires that enabled the region to meet client service demands.

"Gannett Fleming might be 101 years old, but we are fresh – fresh with talent, technical innovation, and enthusiasm," stated Nowicki. "We, and most importantly our employees, are always evolving and changing to best meet the needs of our clients. It is imperative that we listen to our clients and that we listen to our employees. I view my role as ensuring we are creating an environment where our employees can thrive, and that includes helping them to discover their talents and gifts so they can be engaged and excited to be a part of this outstanding organization."

Nowicki's career with Gannett Fleming began in Detroit as an intern in 1982. He continued with the firm during his academic studies and, upon graduation in 1986, he moved to New Jersey where he began full-time employment with the firm. Nowicki has worked on some of the largest transportation projects in Gannett Fleming's history, including the extension of the New Jersey Route 18 corridor in New Brunswick, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties, for which he was responsible for managing more than $500 million in transportation improvements.

Nowicki holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Detroit. He is a registered professional engineer in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Learn more about Gannett Fleming by viewing the company video, or visit the firm's website for more information.

Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure and engineering firm that provides progressive solutions for transportation, earth sciences and natural resources, geospatial, water, power, and facilities projects. Founded in 1915, our experience spans 65 countries and thousands of successful projects. Our 2,000 employees deliver excellence in planning, design, technology, and construction management from more than 60 offices around the world. We consistently rank among the industry's top design firms and embrace sustainability, innovation and advanced solutions to solve our clients' complex challenges and improve the communities they serve. We are ISO 9001:2008 Certified, which assures clients that we meet the most rigorous and independently audited quality standards. Gannett Fleming achieved $352 million in revenues in 2015. For more information, visit www.gannettfleming.com.

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