GFT Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

GFT has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, technology, legal, human resources, and development.

Driven by a commitment to resilient infrastructure, GFT delivers architecture, engineering, and construction services that strengthen communities and support sustainable growth through innovative projects and strong client partnerships.

Leadership Roles at GFT

  • Chief Executive Officer - Michael Orth
  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - William Stout
  • Chairman, Chief Executive Officer - Ronald Drnevich
  • Chief Financial Officer - James Nevada
  • Founder & President - Sepideh Saidi
  • President, Corporate Development - Paul Malir
  • President of Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants, LLC - Paul Herbert
  • Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer - Scott Nash
  • Chief Legal Officer - Audrey Daly
  • Chief People Officer - Heather Eickhoff
  • Michael Orth - Chief Executive Officer

    Michael Orth, the Chief Executive Officer at GFT, directs the companys overall strategic vision and operational execution. Orth guides the firm in delivering resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Overseeing multidisciplinary teams, the Chief Executive Officer ensures creative engineering and construction services strengthen communities and support sustainable growth. This leadership role involves fostering strong client partnerships and driving innovation in project delivery. By aligning departmental objectives with corporate goals, Michael Orth directly impacts the firms market position and long-term success. Ultimately, Orth secures GFTs commitment to improving quality of life through impactful infrastructure development.
    Michael Orth

    William Stout - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    William Stout, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at GFT, provides executive oversight and strategic direction for the companys extensive operations. Stout leads the firm in its mission to deliver resilient infrastructure solutions, encompassing transportation, water, power, and building sectors. Guiding the executive team, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer ensures the planning, design, and delivery of creative engineering and construction services align with GFTs core values. This position involves fostering robust client partnerships and championing innovative approaches to complex engineering challenges. By setting the overarching corporate agenda, William Stout directly influences GFTs capacity to strengthen communities and support sustainable growth. Ultimately, Stout ensures the companys continued impact on improving quality of life through its projects.
    William Stout

    Ronald Drnevich - Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

    Ronald Drnevich, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer at GFT, steers the companys strategic trajectory and operational framework. Drnevich leads GFT in its commitment to providing resilient infrastructure solutions across critical sectors like transportation, water, power, and buildings. Directing the executive leadership, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer ensures the firm plans, designs, and delivers innovative engineering and construction services that bolster communities. This role involves cultivating strong client relationships and driving the adoption of sustainable growth strategies. By championing forward-thinking project methodologies, Ronald Drnevich directly enhances GFTs ability to improve quality of life. Ultimately, Drnevich solidifies the companys reputation for excellence in infrastructure development.

    James Nevada - Chief Financial Officer

    James Nevada, the Chief Financial Officer at GFT, directs all financial planning, management, and reporting activities. Nevada oversees the fiscal health of the organization, ensuring robust financial strategies support GFTs delivery of resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Managing the finance department, the Chief Financial Officer guarantees accurate budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation to drive sustainable growth and project success. This critical role involves optimizing financial performance, managing risk, and securing investment to fuel innovation and client partnerships. By maintaining fiscal discipline and strategic financial oversight, James Nevada directly contributes to GFTs ability to undertake complex engineering and construction projects. Ultimately, Nevada ensures the financial stability required to improve quality of life through impactful infrastructure.

    Sepideh Saidi - Founder & President

    Sepideh Saidi, the Founder & President at GFT, established the companys foundational principles and continues to guide its strategic direction. Saidi champions GFTs mission to deliver resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings, embedding innovation from the companys inception. Leading the executive team, the Founder & President ensures the firm consistently plans, designs, and delivers creative engineering and construction services that strengthen communities. This role involves fostering a culture of excellence and nurturing strong client partnerships that are central to GFTs success. By upholding the founding vision, Sepideh Saidi directly influences the companys commitment to sustainable growth and improving quality of life through impactful projects. Ultimately, Saidi ensures the enduring legacy of GFTs dedication to superior infrastructure development.

    Paul Malir - President, Corporate Development

    Paul Malir, the President, Corporate Development at GFT, spearheads strategic growth initiatives and partnership opportunities. Malir drives GFTs expansion efforts, identifying and cultivating ventures that enhance the firms delivery of resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Overseeing corporate development functions, the President, Corporate Development ensures strategic alignment with market opportunities to foster sustainable growth and robust client partnerships. This position involves evaluating new business avenues, managing mergers and acquisitions, and strengthening the companys market presence through strategic alliances. By identifying and executing key development strategies, Paul Malir directly contributes to GFTs capacity for undertaking innovative and large-scale engineering and construction projects. Ultimately, Malir secures GFTs future growth and its ability to improve quality of life through expanded infrastructure capabilities.
    Paul Malir

    Paul Herbert - President of Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants, LLC

    Paul Herbert, the President of Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants, LLC at GFT, leads specialized consulting services focused on valuation and rate analysis. Herbert directs the strategic operations of this subsidiary, ensuring its contributions to GFTs broader mission of delivering resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Managing this distinct business unit, the President of Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants, LLC ensures expert financial and regulatory consulting supports creative engineering and construction services. This role involves driving specialized expertise, fostering client relationships within specific market segments, and contributing to sustainable growth through targeted consulting. By providing critical valuation and rate expertise, Paul Herbert directly enhances GFTs comprehensive service offerings for complex infrastructure projects. Ultimately, Herbert ensures this specialized division uphms GFTs commitment to improving quality of life through informed development.

    Scott Nash - Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer

    Scott Nash, the Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer at GFT, architects the companys technology strategy and digital infrastructure. Nash leads the IT department in implementing advanced technological solutions that enhance GFTs delivery of resilient infrastructure across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Overseeing all information systems, the Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer ensures seamless integration of digital tools to support creative engineering and construction services. This position involves driving technological innovation, managing cybersecurity, and optimizing data management to foster sustainable growth and strong client partnerships. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Scott Nash directly enables GFTs multidisciplinary experts to plan and design impactful projects. Ultimately, Nash ensures the technological backbone supports the firms mission to improve quality of life.
    Scott Nash
    Audrey Daly, the Chief Legal Officer at GFT, directs all legal affairs and ensures regulatory compliance across the organization. Daly provides expert counsel on legal matters pertaining to GFTs delivery of resilient infrastructure solutions in transportation, water, power, and buildings. Managing the legal department, the Chief Legal Officer safeguards the company by reviewing contracts, mitigating risks, and advising on corporate governance to support sustainable growth and client partnerships. This role is crucial for navigating complex legal landscapes inherent in large-scale engineering and construction projects. By ensuring adherence to all legal frameworks, Audrey Daly directly supports GFTs ability to execute innovative projects and maintain strong client relationships. Ultimately, Daly upholds the integrity and ethical standards essential for improving quality of life through infrastructure.
    Audrey Daly

    Heather Eickhoff - Chief People Officer

    Heather Eickhoff, the Chief People Officer at GFT, leads human capital strategy and organizational development. Eickhoff shapes GFTs talent acquisition, retention, and employee engagement initiatives to support the delivery of resilient infrastructure solutions across transportation, water, power, and buildings. Directing all people operations, the Chief People Officer cultivates a high-performance culture that empowers multidisciplinary experts to plan, design, and deliver creative engineering and construction services. This position is vital for fostering an environment that drives sustainable growth and strengthens client partnerships through skilled personnel. By prioritizing employee development and well-being, Heather Eickhoff directly enhances GFTs capacity for innovation and project excellence. Ultimately, Eickhoff ensures the companys most valuable asset—its people—drives its mission to improve quality of life.
    Heather Eickhoff

    Explore Leadership Teams in Architecture, Engineering & Design

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding GFT Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads GFT?
    GFT is led by Michael Orth (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as William Stout (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer) and Ronald Drnevich (Chairman, Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of GFT’s executive team?
    The executive team of GFT includes leaders such as Michael Orth (Chief Executive Officer), William Stout (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Ronald Drnevich (Chairman, Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does GFT have?
    GFT has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in GFT’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of GFT includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Founder & President.