UES Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

UES has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, financial management, and regional engineering oversight.

Focused on delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions, UES advances resilient design and construction through technology-driven environmental, testing, and geophysical consulting services across diverse industrial sectors.

Leadership Roles at UES

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

    Sy Israel, the Chief Executive Officer at UES, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the firm. By aligning engineering expertise with client needs, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the delivery of high-quality environmental and testing services across the national infrastructure landscape. Sy Israel maintains constant communication with the Board to optimize resource allocation and drive sustainable growth. This leadership role involves identifying new market opportunities in transportation and power sectors while maintaining operational excellence. Through the implementation of technology-driven solutions, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of innovation that supports complex redevelopment projects. By prioritizing client satisfaction and technical precision, the Chief Executive Officer secures the firm's position as a leader in the engineering consulting industry. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer drives the expansion of service capabilities to meet evolving infrastructure demands.
    Sy Israel

    Clint Johnson - Chief Financial Officer, Southeast

    Clint Johnson, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast at UES, directs all fiscal planning and financial reporting for the firm's operations across the southeastern United States. Managing capital investments and budgetary controls, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast ensures the financial health of regional projects in education and industrial sectors. Clint Johnson analyzes market trends to forecast revenue growth and mitigate financial risks associated with large-scale infrastructure development. This leadership role involves close collaboration with regional presidents to align financial strategies with operational goals. By implementing robust accounting systems and cost-management protocols, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast supports the firm's ability to deliver competitive, technology-driven engineering solutions. The Chief Financial Officer, Southeast also oversees the financial integration of new acquisitions to expand the regional footprint. Through disciplined fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer, Southeast provides the necessary stability for long-term infrastructure investment.

    Kevin Ertel - Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions

    Kevin Ertel, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions at UES, manages the financial architecture and economic performance for operations throughout the Texas and Midwest markets. Overseeing regional budgets and capital allocation, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions ensures that engineering and testing projects remain profitable while meeting client specifications. Kevin Ertel evaluates regional economic indicators to guide strategic expansion and investment in new geophysical technologies. This role requires constant coordination with local leadership to optimize project margins and maintain fiscal transparency. By developing sophisticated financial models, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions supports the firm's mission to provide efficient infrastructure solutions. The Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions also monitors compliance with regional regulatory requirements to protect the firm's assets. Through precise financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer, Texas & Midwest Regions drives sustainable growth across these critical geographic territories.

    Travis Merrick - Chief Operating Officer

    Travis Merrick, the Chief Operating Officer at UES, manages the daily execution of engineering and inspection services across all operational divisions. Overseeing the integration of geophysical and environmental workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures project efficiency and adherence to safety standards. Travis Merrick coordinates with regional leadership to streamline resource deployment for large-scale infrastructure projects in the water and healthcare sectors. This role requires constant monitoring of operational metrics to identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements. By optimizing the internal supply chain and technical staffing, the Chief Operating Officer supports the firm's commitment to resilient infrastructure design. The Chief Operating Officer also facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to maintain high service quality during rapid project scaling. Through rigorous oversight of field operations, the Chief Operating Officer guarantees that all technical deliverables meet the precise requirements of complex industrial clients.

    Mark Clatt - Regional President

    Mark Clatt, the Regional President at UES, directs the strategic growth and operational performance of the firm within assigned territories. Overseeing the delivery of environmental and inspection services, the Regional President ensures that regional teams provide high-value solutions for transportation and power infrastructure. Mark Clatt cultivates client relationships and identifies opportunities for service expansion in local markets. This leadership role involves managing regional talent and ensuring that technical staff possess the necessary expertise to handle complex engineering challenges. By aligning regional activities with the broader corporate mission, the Regional President maintains consistency in service quality and project outcomes. The Regional President also collaborates with other executives to share best practices and leverage the firm's national resources. Through proactive market engagement, the Regional President drives the successful execution of projects from initial development to final redevelopment phases.

    Colin Stevenson - President

    Colin Stevenson, the President at UES, leads the strategic development of the firm's core engineering and consulting business units. Focusing on the integration of advanced geophysical services, the President ensures that the firm remains at the forefront of infrastructure technology. Colin Stevenson coordinates with the executive team to define service standards and operational benchmarks for the entire organization. This role involves overseeing the expansion of service offerings into new industrial sectors to diversify the firm's portfolio. By fostering innovation in environmental testing and inspection, the President supports the design of resilient infrastructure. The President also manages high-level client partnerships to ensure long-term project success and market relevance. Through the application of technical expertise and strategic foresight, the President drives the firm's commitment to excellence in engineering. Ultimately, the President secures the firm's competitive advantage by championing sustainable and efficient infrastructure practices.

    Isidro Fernandez-Aballi - President

    Isidro Fernandez-Aballi, the President at UES, directs the firm's efforts in expanding environmental and testing capabilities for large-scale infrastructure projects. Focusing on the water and industrial sectors, the President oversees the implementation of specialized geophysical services that support sustainable development. Isidro Fernandez-Aballi manages the strategic alignment of technical teams to ensure that all projects meet rigorous safety and efficiency standards. This leadership role involves identifying emerging technologies that enhance the firm's ability to deliver precise engineering data. By collaborating with other senior leaders, the President optimizes the deployment of resources across diverse project portfolios. The President also represents the firm in industry forums to promote the value of resilient infrastructure design. Through the application of deep technical knowledge, the President ensures that the firm consistently exceeds client expectations. Ultimately, the President drives the firm's growth by maintaining a focus on technical innovation and operational reliability.

    Thomas Lao - President & Senior Environmental Engineer

    Thomas Lao, the President & Senior Environmental Engineer at UES, leads the firm's environmental consulting division while providing high-level technical oversight for complex projects. As the President & Senior Environmental Engineer, this leader ensures that all environmental assessments and remediation strategies align with current regulatory standards and sustainable design principles. Thomas Lao directs the application of advanced geophysical techniques to support infrastructure projects in the education and healthcare sectors. This role involves mentoring technical staff and ensuring that the firm's environmental solutions remain innovative and effective. By bridging the gap between executive strategy and field-level engineering, the President & Senior Environmental Engineer maintains the firm's reputation for technical excellence. The President & Senior Environmental Engineer also collaborates with other leaders to integrate environmental considerations into the broader engineering workflow. Through this dual focus on leadership and technical precision, the President & Senior Environmental Engineer drives the firm's commitment to environmental stewardship.
    Thomas Lao

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UES Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads UES?
    UES is led by Sy Israel (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 Sy Israel (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 8 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, Regional President.