Pape-Dawson Engineers Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Pape-Dawson Engineers has 7 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, marketing, information technology, regional operations, market expansion, legal compliance, and corporate leadership.

Committed to excellence in civil engineering and professional services, Pape-Dawson Engineers delivers comprehensive multidisciplinary solutions that shape infrastructure and communities across the United States.

Leadership Roles at Pape-Dawson Engineers

  • Chief Financial Officer - David Motarjeme
  • Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region - Michael Preiss
  • Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets - Cara Tackett
  • President - Trey Dawson
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Melissa Kidd
  • Chief Information Officer - Norm Ayubi
  • Chief Legal Officer - Raymond Suire
  • David Motarjeme - Chief Financial Officer

    David Motarjeme, the Chief Financial Officer at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the firm, the Chief Financial Officer ensures robust budgeting processes that support multidisciplinary service delivery. This leadership role involves managing complex revenue streams across diverse sectors like transportation engineering and water resources. By optimizing internal cost structures and capital investments, David Motarjeme directly impacts the long-term stability of the organization. Motarjeme maintains rigorous oversight of financial reporting, ensuring transparency for stakeholders while facilitating growth across Texas and beyond. Through precise fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer enables the firm to pursue large-scale infrastructure projects with confidence. Ultimately, Motarjeme secures the necessary resources to maintain the competitive market position of the company while driving sustainable profitability through disciplined financial governance and strategic asset management.

    Michael Preiss - Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region

    Michael Preiss, the Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs daily operations and project delivery across the core Texas markets. Overseeing the execution of civil engineering and surveying projects in hubs like San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth, the Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region ensures adherence to quality standards and client timelines. This leadership role involves managing resource allocation and staffing to meet the demands of large-scale infrastructure developments. By streamlining operational workflows, Michael Preiss directly impacts the productivity and profitability of the Texas-based teams. Preiss coordinates with project managers to resolve technical challenges and maintain high performance across multidisciplinary service lines. Through consistent oversight of regional operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region drives the successful completion of complex land development and transportation projects. Ultimately, Preiss ensures that the firm maintains its reputation for excellence and reliability throughout the Texas market landscape.

    Cara Tackett - Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets

    Cara Tackett, the Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs the integration and operational growth of the firm in new geographic territories. Overseeing the transition and alignment of acquired entities, such as the Tennessee-based RaganSmith, the Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets ensures that new offices adopt the core service standards of the organization. This leadership role involves scaling multidisciplinary capabilities into emerging regions to capture new market share. By standardizing operational procedures across diverse locations, Cara Tackett directly impacts the consistency and quality of service delivery outside the core Texas footprint. Tackett collaborates with regional leadership to identify growth opportunities and optimize resource distribution for new projects. Through strategic oversight of expansion efforts, the Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets facilitates the successful entry of the firm into broader national markets. Ultimately, Tackett drives the geographic diversification of the company, ensuring sustainable growth and operational excellence in every new territory.
    Cara Tackett

    Trey Dawson - President

    Trey Dawson, the President at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs the overall corporate strategy and long-term vision of the firm. Overseeing the executive leadership team, the President ensures alignment across all multidisciplinary service lines, from civil engineering to environmental sciences. This leadership role involves setting the strategic direction for market expansion and maintaining the core values of the organization. By fostering a culture of innovation and excellence, Trey Dawson directly impacts the growth and industry standing of the firm. Dawson collaborates with the Board and C-suite leaders to evaluate new business opportunities and ensure the company remains at the forefront of the professional services industry. Through decisive leadership, the President drives the firm toward achieving its mission of delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions. Ultimately, Dawson guides the organization through complex market shifts, ensuring that the company continues to provide exceptional value to public and private sector clients nationwide.

    Melissa Kidd - Chief Marketing Officer

    Melissa Kidd, the Chief Marketing Officer at Pape-Dawson Engineers, architects the brand strategy and market positioning for the firm. Overseeing corporate communications and business development outreach, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures consistent messaging across all service lines, including GIS, landscape architecture, and environmental sciences. This leadership role involves identifying emerging opportunities within public and private sectors to expand the client base. By leveraging data analytics to refine outreach efforts, Melissa Kidd directly impacts the visibility and reputation of the firm in competitive markets. Kidd coordinates with regional teams to align marketing initiatives with specific project goals, ensuring that the value proposition remains clear to potential partners. Through targeted campaigns and strategic networking, the Chief Marketing Officer drives engagement and supports the acquisition of high-impact projects. Ultimately, Kidd strengthens the market presence of the firm by articulating the technical expertise and multidisciplinary capabilities of the organization.

    Norm Ayubi - Chief Information Officer

    Norm Ayubi, the Chief Information Officer at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs the digital transformation and technology infrastructure of the firm. Overseeing the integration of advanced GIS and data analytics platforms, the Chief Information Officer ensures that engineering teams possess the tools required for precision project execution. This leadership role involves managing cybersecurity protocols and enterprise software systems that support multidisciplinary services. By modernizing the technological framework, Norm Ayubi directly impacts operational efficiency and data accuracy across all office locations. Ayubi collaborates with department heads to implement scalable solutions that facilitate seamless communication and project management. Through the deployment of robust IT systems, the Chief Information Officer enables the firm to handle complex land planning and transportation engineering data with speed and reliability. Ultimately, Ayubi maintains the technological edge of the company, ensuring that digital assets remain secure and fully optimized for the evolving needs of the civil engineering industry.
    Raymond Suire, the Chief Legal Officer at Pape-Dawson Engineers, directs all legal affairs, risk management, and regulatory compliance for the firm. Overseeing contract negotiations and corporate governance, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that all multidisciplinary projects adhere to local, state, and federal requirements. This leadership role involves mitigating liability and protecting the intellectual property of the organization during complex land planning and construction management engagements. By providing counsel on legal risks, Raymond Suire directly impacts the security and integrity of the business operations. Suire works closely with the executive team to navigate regulatory landscapes and resolve disputes, ensuring that the firm maintains ethical standards and legal compliance. Through proactive legal strategy, the Chief Legal Officer supports the firm in pursuing ambitious projects while minimizing exposure to litigation. Ultimately, Suire safeguards the interests of the company, providing the legal foundation necessary for stable growth and successful project delivery across all sectors.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pape-Dawson Engineers Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Pape-Dawson Engineers?
    Pape-Dawson Engineers is led by David Motarjeme (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Michael Preiss (Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region) and Cara Tackett (Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets).
    Who is part of Pape-Dawson Engineers’s executive team?
    The executive team of Pape-Dawson Engineers includes leaders such as David Motarjeme (Chief Financial Officer), Michael Preiss (Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region), Cara Tackett (Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Pape-Dawson Engineers have?
    Pape-Dawson Engineers has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Pape-Dawson Engineers’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Pape-Dawson Engineers includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Texas Region, Chief Operating Officer, Expanding Markets, President, Chief Marketing Officer.