10 Nov SAM MCCACHERN, PE, AND RALPH FORBES, PE, NAMED TO GEORGIA TREND’S 2026 GEORGIA 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
Savannah, GA, November 10, 2026 — Thomas & Hutton (T&H), a privately held and employee-owned professional services firm known for its award-winning culture and 80 years of shaping communities across the Southeast, is pleased to announce that Sam McCachern, PE, Chief Executive Officer, and Ralph Forbes, PE, Vice President and Economic Development Regional Director, were named to Georgia Trend magazine’s 2026 Georgia 500: Most Influential Leaders list.
The annual Georgia 500 recognizes influential leaders across business, government, education, and civic organizations whose leadership and contributions help shape Georgia’s economy and communities.
Sam McCachern, PE, has led T&H’s strategic growth and expansion across the Southeast since becoming President in 2013 and CEO in 2014. A licensed Professional Engineer and NC State University graduate, Sam began his career with T&H in 1985. He remains active in several civic organizations, including the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Savannah, Savannah Technical College, and United Way of the Coastal Empire. His honors include United Way’s Craig Harney Spirit of Philanthropy Award and induction into NC State’s CCEE Alumni Hall of Fame.
Ralph Forbes, PE, serves as Vice President and Economic Development Regional Director at T&H, bringing more than 40 years of experience in engineering, planning, and economic development. Since joining T&H in 1991, his significant projects include three Georgia megasites, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, Rivian’s planned electric vehicle campus, and Audi AG’s recently announced manufacturing plans in Georgia. A Georgia Tech graduate, Ralph has served on several boards for professional organizations. His honors include GEDA’s Volunteer of the Year Award, the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers’ Engineer of the Year in Private Practice Award, and recognition on Georgia Trend’s Georgia 500 in 2022.
“Sam and Ralph each play an important role in T&H’s growth and our work across Georgia,” said Jason Chambless, PE, President of T&H. “Sam’s leadership helped guide our company’s direction, while Ralph’s experience and relationships support major economic development opportunities throughout the state. This recognition speaks to their dedication to our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.”
T&H congratulates Sam and Ralph on this recognition and celebrates their continued leadership and contributions to economic development and communities across Georgia.
