UES Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

UES has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, financial management, and environmental engineering.

Focused on delivering resilient infrastructure solutions, UES advances sustainable development through technology-driven testing, inspection, and geophysical services across diverse industrial sectors.

Leadership Roles at UES

  • Chief Executive Officer - Dave Witsken
  • Chief Financial Officer, Southeast - Clint Johnson
  • Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions - Kevin Ertel
  • Chief Operating Officer - Travis Merrick
  • President - Colin Stevenson
  • President - Thomas Gaeto
  • President & Senior Environmental Engineer - Thomas Lao
  • Regional President - Mark Clatt
  • President - Isidro Fernandez-Aballi
  • Dave Witsken - Chief Executive Officer

    Dave Witsken, the Chief Executive Officer at UES, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the engineering and consulting firm. Witsken oversees the integration of environmental, testing, and inspection services to ensure consistent delivery of technology-driven solutions across transportation, water, and power sectors. By aligning internal resources with market demands, the Chief Executive Officer drives sustainable growth and operational excellence throughout the organization. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to maintain high standards for infrastructure resilience and efficiency. Dave Witsken monitors national market trends to identify expansion opportunities, ensuring the firm remains a leader in earth sciences. Through rigorous oversight of corporate performance, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health and competitive positioning of the company, ultimately fostering innovation in every project phase from initial development to final redevelopment.
    Dave Witsken

    Clint Johnson - Chief Financial Officer, Southeast

    Clint Johnson, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast at UES, governs the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for all operations within the southeastern region. Johnson manages regional budgeting, financial reporting, and investment planning to support the firm's expansion into new infrastructure markets. Overseeing the financial performance of testing and inspection divisions, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast ensures that regional projects remain profitable while delivering high-value engineering outcomes. This leadership position involves close collaboration with executive peers to align regional financial goals with the broader corporate mission. Clint Johnson monitors economic indicators and market volatility to mitigate risks associated with large-scale construction and redevelopment projects. By optimizing cost structures and revenue streams, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast provides the necessary capital stability for sustained growth. Johnson maintains rigorous financial oversight, ensuring that all regional activities contribute effectively to the long-term success of the organization.

    Kevin Ertel - Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions

    Kevin Ertel, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions at UES, directs the financial strategy and fiscal accountability for operations across the Texas and Midwest territories. Ertel manages complex capital structures and regional investment portfolios to support the firm's specialized environmental and geophysical service offerings. Overseeing the financial health of these specific markets, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions ensures that project budgets align with the company's commitment to sustainable infrastructure. This role involves analyzing regional market data to forecast revenue growth and identify potential cost-saving opportunities in project delivery. Kevin Ertel coordinates with operational leaders to ensure that financial resources support the technical requirements of industrial and power sector projects. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions enables the firm to scale operations effectively. Ertel provides the financial foundation necessary for maintaining competitive advantages in these critical geographic regions.

    Travis Merrick - Chief Operating Officer

    Travis Merrick, the Chief Operating Officer at UES, manages the daily execution of engineering projects and internal operational workflows. Merrick optimizes the delivery of testing and inspection services, ensuring that all technical teams maintain strict adherence to safety and quality protocols. Overseeing the deployment of geophysical resources, the Chief Operating Officer streamlines project lifecycles to enhance efficiency for clients in the healthcare and education sectors. This role requires constant coordination with regional leaders to synchronize service delivery across diverse geographic markets. Travis Merrick implements advanced project management frameworks to reduce operational bottlenecks and improve resource allocation. By focusing on scalable infrastructure processes, the Chief Operating Officer supports the firm's commitment to resilient design. Merrick drives continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring that every operational unit functions at peak capacity while meeting the complex demands of modern industrial infrastructure projects.

    Colin Stevenson - President

    Colin Stevenson, the President at UES, leads the strategic development and market expansion efforts for the firm's core engineering and consulting services. Stevenson focuses on driving business development initiatives that connect the company's environmental and earth science expertise with large-scale infrastructure clients. Overseeing the growth of the firm's service portfolio, the President ensures that technical teams deliver innovative solutions for complex redevelopment projects. This leadership role involves fostering partnerships with key stakeholders in the transportation and industrial sectors to secure long-term project pipelines. Colin Stevenson monitors industry shifts to adapt the company's service offerings, ensuring alignment with evolving sustainability standards. By championing a culture of technical excellence, the President supports the firm's mission to build resilient infrastructure. Stevenson coordinates with other executive leaders to integrate new technologies into daily operations, ultimately enhancing the value provided to clients across all active project sectors.

    Thomas Gaeto - President

    Thomas Gaeto, the President at UES, manages the operational integration of specialized testing and inspection services across the company's national footprint. Gaeto focuses on enhancing the efficiency of geophysical and environmental service delivery, ensuring that technical teams meet the rigorous demands of the education and healthcare sectors. Overseeing the implementation of standardized engineering protocols, the President drives consistency and quality across all project sites. This role involves mentoring technical staff and fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes safety and precision. Thomas Gaeto works closely with regional managers to optimize service delivery models and improve client satisfaction metrics. By focusing on the operational aspects of the business, the President ensures that the firm maintains its reputation for reliable infrastructure support. Gaeto directs the adoption of new diagnostic tools, enabling the company to provide cutting-edge solutions for complex site assessments and structural evaluations.

    Thomas Lao - President & Senior Environmental Engineer

    Thomas Lao, the President & Senior Environmental Engineer at UES, provides technical leadership and strategic direction for the firm's environmental science and consulting divisions. Lao oversees the development of advanced environmental remediation and assessment strategies, ensuring that all projects adhere to the highest standards of sustainability and regulatory compliance. As the President & Senior Environmental Engineer, Lao bridges the gap between complex scientific analysis and practical engineering applications for infrastructure clients. This role involves leading high-level technical reviews and providing expert guidance on challenging geophysical and environmental projects. Thomas Lao collaborates with other executives to integrate environmental considerations into the early stages of project design and development. By driving innovation in environmental testing, the President & Senior Environmental Engineer ensures that the firm remains at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development. Lao maintains a focus on technical excellence, ensuring that all environmental solutions contribute to long-term project resilience.
    Thomas Lao

    Mark Clatt - Regional President

    Mark Clatt, the Regional President at UES, oversees the strategic execution and operational performance of all engineering and consulting services within the assigned region. Clatt manages the regional team's efforts to deliver high-quality testing, inspection, and geophysical services to a diverse client base. Overseeing the regional business development pipeline, the Regional President ensures that the firm captures significant opportunities in the transportation and power sectors. This role involves coordinating with local project managers to maintain high standards of service delivery and client engagement. Mark Clatt monitors regional market trends and competitive dynamics to adjust operational strategies as needed. By fostering strong relationships with local stakeholders, the Regional President drives growth and strengthens the firm's market presence. Clatt ensures that all regional projects align with the company's broader mission of providing resilient infrastructure solutions, ultimately contributing to the overall success and stability of the organization.

    Isidro Fernandez-Aballi - President

    Isidro Fernandez-Aballi, the President at UES, directs the strategic initiatives and business growth for the firm's specialized engineering and consulting services. Fernandez-Aballi focuses on expanding the company's reach within the industrial and water infrastructure sectors, ensuring that technical solutions meet the specific needs of these critical markets. Overseeing the alignment of service delivery with client objectives, the President ensures that all projects are executed with precision and efficiency. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to deliver integrated environmental and testing services. Isidro Fernandez-Aballi monitors industry developments to identify new opportunities for service innovation and market penetration. By prioritizing client-centric solutions, the President drives the firm's commitment to building resilient and efficient infrastructure. Fernandez-Aballi collaborates with other executive leaders to refine the company's strategic direction, ensuring that all efforts support the long-term growth and sustainability goals of the organization.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UES Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads UES?
    UES is led by Dave Witsken (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Clint Johnson (Chief Financial Officer, Southeast) and Kevin Ertel (Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions).
    Who is part of UES’s executive team?
    The executive team of UES includes leaders such as Dave Witsken (Chief Executive Officer), Clint Johnson (Chief Financial Officer, Southeast), Kevin Ertel (Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does UES have?
    UES has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in UES’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of UES includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Southeast, Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions, Chief Operating Officer, President.