14 Jan Thomas & Hutton Announces Sixth-Generation Leadership Transition as Firm Enters 80th Year
Thomas & Hutton (T&H), a leading consulting and professional services firm specializing in engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, and GIS, announced a planned leadership transition that marks the firm’s sixth generation of leadership as it enters its 80th year in business.
Effective January 1, 2026, three long-serving leaders, Jason Chambless, PE; Trent Thompson, P.E.; and Kevin Shoemake, P.E., assumed expanded executive roles, guiding the firm’s operations, growth strategy, and long-term vision. The transition reflects a multi-year succession planning effort focused on continuity, internal leadership development, and long-term client service.
Chambless now serves as President, overseeing day-to-day operations and execution of firmwide strategy across offices and service lines. He joined Thomas & Hutton in 2003 and previously led coastal civil and site development teams, with a strong focus on collaboration and operational consistency.
As Chief Operations Officer, Thompson leads firmwide operations, resource optimization, and quality assurance. With Thomas & Hutton since 2001, he brings extensive infrastructure experience and is focused on strengthening delivery consistency and operational excellence across the firm’s markets.
In addition to his role as Vice President of Inland Civil/Site Development, Shoemake now serves as Chief Growth Officer, responsible for Thomas & Hutton’s overall growth strategy, including organic growth, market diversification, mergers and acquisitions, and geographic expansion.
In conjunction with the executive transition, Thomas & Hutton promoted Lisa Muzekari, PE and Chris Magaldi, PE to Vice President roles.
Muzekari serves as Vice President of Infrastructure, overseeing the firm’s Water Resources, Environmental, Structural, and Transportation departments across its southeastern footprint. She brings more than 30 years of experience in public-sector infrastructure and multi-state team leadership.
Magaldi serves as Vice President of Coastal Civil/Site Development, overseeing Civil and Survey departments along the southeastern coast, including offices in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. With more than 27 years of experience, he plays a key role in shaping many of the coastal projects that define Thomas & Hutton’s regional presence.
Sam McCachern continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer, maintaining overall client stewardship and civic leadership. Benny Jones, Jr. transitioned from Chief Operations Officer to Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Board, where he is focused on long-term planning and supporting the structured transfer of institutional knowledge to the next generation of leadership.
“Stepping into these roles is about stewardship of our client relationships, our people, and the standards that make us trusted advisors,” said Chambless. “We’re grateful to have Sam and Ben continuing to work alongside us.”
“Continuity matters,” added Thompson. “We’re focused on ensuring the continued growth of our people and making sure every office and team feels supported.”
Shoemake noted, “Growth isn’t just about markets, it’s about creating opportunity for our people and delivering consistent, high-quality results for our clients.”
Under McCachern’s and Jones’s leadership, Thomas & Hutton expanded from its coastal Georgia and South Carolina roots to serve communities across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. This leadership transition reinforces the firm’s people-first approach and long-standing commitment to developing leaders from within.
“This moment reflects decades of intentional succession planning and leadership development,” said McCachern.
“Our priority has always been delivering results for our clients and investing in our people,” Jones said. “Sam and I will remain deeply involved to ensure a seamless transition, preserving what works while supporting the leaders who will carry T&H forward.”
ABOUT THOMAS & HUTTON
Founded in 1946, Thomas & Hutton is a privately held professional services firm with 80 years of experience shaping communities across the Southeast. Recognized annually by national, industry, and regional organizations as a Best Place to Work, the company is driven by its mission of Building Relationships and Solutions for Success. With a multidisciplinary team of engineers, surveyors, planners, landscape architects, and GIS specialists, Thomas & Hutton provides consulting services for land development and infrastructure projects throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. For more information, visit www.thomasandhutton.com.
