Full-Time
West Operating Unit Manager
Western Region
Dewberry
1,001-5,000 employees
Nationwide planning, design, and construction professionals
Compensation Overview
$281k - $434k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
 Business & Strategy (2) |
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- A Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
- A Professional Engineer license is required.
- At least 20 years of engineering consulting experience serving public-sector clients is required.
- At least 10 years of leadership experience managing diverse, multi-office engineering operations with P&L responsibility is required.
- Strong relationships with California and Colorado public agencies and private consultants are required, primarily in Water/Wastewater, Water Resources, Civil/Site/Utilities Infrastructure, and Transportation.
- Demonstrated success leading growth initiatives, business development, and organizational expansion is required.
- Demonstrated expertise in managing and motivating high-performing teams and designing and executing strategies that impact regional, national, and international firm prominence is required.
- The candidate must be able to co-create and share a common vision and strategies with corporate and operational leadership.
- The candidate must be able to understand and leverage company strengths for cross-selling across service lines.
- Active leadership roles with architecture, engineering, and construction industry organizations and civic or community organizations are required.
- Lead the overall growth strategy and business performance of the Western Region.
- Expand market share and strengthen client relationships across Transportation, Construction Management/Inspection, Water/Wastewater, Water Resources, and Site-Civil/Land Development.
- Identify emerging market opportunities, industry trends, and growth initiatives.
- Serve as executive sponsor for key pursuits, strategic accounts, and major client relationships.
- Represent the company within industry, professional, and community organizations to enhance market visibility and influence.
- Provide executive oversight for five regional offices, ensuring operational excellence and financial performance.
- Lead regional business planning, resource management, and P&L accountability.
- Drive collaboration across offices, disciplines, and business units to support project delivery and growth objectives.
- Champion innovation, technology adoption, and process improvements that enhance efficiency and client service.
- Partner with corporate leadership to establish priorities and advance company-wide initiatives.
- Build, develop, and retain a high-performing leadership team.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop future leaders while strengthening organizational capacity.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
- Lead geographically dispersed teams and align leaders around shared business objectives.
- Strengthen relationships with public-sector clients, private-sector partners, and industry stakeholders throughout the Western Region.
- Leverage existing relationships and market expertise to create new business opportunities.
- Position the company as a trusted partner and industry leader across Western markets.
- An advanced degree or Master of Business Administration is preferred.
- Experience with other Western states and leading and delivering engineering services to federal-sector clients would be considered a plus.
Dewberry is a nationwide planning, design, and construction services firm that serves both public and private clients. It helps clients by providing professional services to plan, design, and build natural and built environments, tackling complex challenges and transforming communities. The company collaborates with clients through teams that combine client-focused service with deep subject-matter expertise to deliver projects end-to-end—from planning and design to construction. Unlike firms that rely on a narrow niche, Dewberry differentiates itself with a long track record (established in 1956), a large nationwide footprint (50 locations and 2,500+ professionals), and a strong emphasis on relationships, diversity, and employee growth. Its goal is to create value for clients, improve communities, empower employees, and expand its reach by delivering responsible, well-executed solutions.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Fairfax, Virginia
Founded
1956
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Dewberry reported 2,500 employees, 50+ locations, and $763 million scale in August 2026.
- Richard Kincheloe now leads a 40-person Mid-Atlantic water team across Virginia and Maryland.
- Heather Dean's June 2026 hire expands western pursuits across water and transportation markets.
What critics are saying
- Dewberry sells mostly to public agencies; budget cuts and procurement delays hit 2027 backlog.
- The February-April 2026 CEO transition tests execution across 2,500 employees and 50 locations.
- Federal reliance in USACE, Army, and USACE-adjacent work exposes Dewberry to one-client concentration.
What makes Dewberry unique
- 2026 leadership reshuffle shows Dewberry concentrates on water, transportation, and resilience.
- Robert Williams and Ken Davis deepen a $27 billion design-build engine.
- Jeff Bonacci and Jacob Owen strengthen Pennsylvania CM/CI and national geotechnical delivery.
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Benefits
Remote Work Options
Company News
Dewberry welcomes senior associate and construction services department manager Jeff Bonacci. Bonacci brings nearly 35 years' experience to the construction services department. 08.14.2026 Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Jeffery (Jeff) Bonacci has joined the firm as a senior associate and constructions services department manager. In this role, Bonacci will be responsible for leading and developing the firm's construction management and construction inspection (CM/CI) program in Pennsylvania, serving clients statewide. Bonacci brings nearly 35 years of civil engineering experience and construction management, leading transportation infrastructure projects in northeastern Pennsylvania. He has overseen complex highway, bridge, and interstate reconstruction projects for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and public agencies, including multimillion-dollar projects for interstate reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, roadway improvements, and design-build initiatives with project values exceeding $100 million. "We are excited to welcome Jeff to the team," says Dewberry Vice President and Business Unit Manager Curt Sanno, PE, CBSI. "Jeff's collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and technical expertise in CM/CI will be a valuable asset in supporting our clients and their complex infrastructure projects across public and private sectors." Bonacci earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University (1985). He is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies and American Society of Highway Engineers.
Dewberry promotes Richard Kincheloe to mid-atlantic water business unit manager. Kincheloe leading a 40-person water/wastewater team across four offices in Virginia and Maryland. 07.23.2026 Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Richard Kincheloe, PE, has been promoted to business unit manager for Dewberry's mid-Atlantic water group. Kincheloe is also an associate vice president. Kincheloe has 20 years of experience, including 15 years with Dewberry. He began his career with the firm in 2005 in the Richmond, Virginia, office and has held multiple technical and leadership roles supporting water and wastewater clients. Kincheloe's areas of technical expertise include utility master planning and hydraulic modeling for water and sewer infrastructure; and planning and design of water/wastewater infrastructure, collection/distribution systems evaluation, and pump station optimization. Since rejoining Dewberry in 2018, he has helped support and expand the firm's growing mid-Atlantic water practice from Dewberry's Fairfax headquarters. Kincheloe has helped expand the firm's water resources and technical capabilities through strategic hiring, technical collaboration, and engagement with subject matter experts from across the company. In addition, he serves as the water market sector utility management technology office co-leader, helping advance regional and national business development initiatives through data-driven strategies and tools that improve the effectiveness of marketing and growth investments. "Richard has a collaborative leadership approach that our clients and employees value, especially when we pull together disciplines and resources from across the mid-Atlantic to execute complex deliverables," says Dewberry Senior Vice President Steve Kuntz, PE, DBIA. "I'm excited for his promotion and look forward to supporting his ongoing professional advancement as he directs our teams in delivering excellence for our clients and communities." Kincheloe earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Tech (2008 and 2014, respectively). He is an active member of the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.
Jacob Owen joins Dewberry as national geotechnical lead. Owen to lead engineering and construction services for levees, dams, and coastal structures. 07.17.2026 Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Jacob Owen, PE, BC.GE, PMP, has joined the firm as senior associate and national geotechnical lead for levees, dams, and coastal structures. In this role, Owen will lead engineering and construction services for large-scale flood resilience projects in coastal and riverine environments and support the growth of Dewberry's risk, response, recovery, and resilience practice nationwide. He is based in the firm's Bloomfield, New Jersey, office. Owen brings over 20 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and previously served as chief civil works engineer for a national consulting firm. In this role, he led the growth of the firm's civil works practice, supporting federal clients on projects spanning dam and levee safety, flood risk management, and risk-informed engineering. Prior to this role, Owen spent 13 years as the geotechnical branch chief for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District, where he led a team of 55 geotechnical and civil engineers, geologists, and drill crew for civil works and military programs. "We are thrilled to have Jacob join our team," says Dewberry Senior Associate and Department Manager Chris Ellis, PE, DBIA. "His extensive experience designing large-scale, complex civil works infrastructure projects will strengthen our geotechnical capabilities and help us continue delivering innovative solutions for our federal, state, and local clients." Owen earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from University of Missouri and is a board-certified geotechnical engineer. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Society of American Military Engineers Kansas City and Omaha posts, and the U.S. Society on Dams.
Dewberry welcomes Heather Dean as director of marketing for the west region. Dean brings more than 30 years of experience to help support firm's growth. 06.24.2026 Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Heather Dean has joined the firm's Denver, Colorado, office, as director of marketing for the western region. In this role, Dean will lead integrated marketing, business development, and pursuit strategy across the west, partnering with executives and technical leaders to anticipate market shifts and position the firm for growth across the water and transportation sectors. Dean brings more than 30 years of experience to her role. Prior to joining Dewberry, she served as principal and director of marketing and business development for an international professional services firm's water practice. In her tenure, she set growth strategy in partnership with executive leadership and led cross-functional marketing and business development teams across North America and globally. Dean also drove enterprise-wide campaigns, guided business planning and key account strategy, and led some of the organization's largest North American and global pursuits, including multi-billion-dollar corporate campaigns. "Our team in the west is thrilled to welcome Heather," says Dewberry Senior Vice President and West Operating Unit Manager Dennis Haglan, PE. "Heather's industry experience leading significant marketing initiatives will bring valuable perspective to directly benefit our clients."
Amanda Pommerenck of Dewberry promoted to vice president. USACE and Army executive client manager promoted in Huntsville, Alabama. 06.22.2026 Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Amanda Pommerenck, PE, has been promoted to vice president. Pommerenck is based in the firm's Huntsville, Alabama, office. In her new role, she will manage the firm's relationship with the U.S. Army nationally, to include the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and other federal clients. Pommerenck has over 25 years of experience in executive leadership, project management, engineering, and construction. Her background includes management and execution of architect-engineer contracts, specifications and criteria, control systems cyber security, operations and maintenance technical support, cost engineering, and automated systems. "Amanda continuously brings tremendous value to our firm and the clients we serve," says Dewberry President Phil Thiel. "We're excited to support her continued professional advancement and look forward to her continued contributions to our clients' programs and our organization." Pommerenck received her master's degree in building construction from Auburn University (2013) and bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University (1997). She is a U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Society of American Military Engineers' Huntsville post, and a member of the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Board.