Bob Howell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for SSOE Group, began his career with SSOE in 1980. During his tenure at SSOE, he worked his way up from a draftsman trainee through draftsman, designer, senior designer, and project manager. He was with the firm for 10 years before he left to purchase a mechanical construction company. While in construction, he was involved in and responsible for all aspects of EPC project execution, working with SSOE on numerous projects.

Bob returned to SSOE in 1993 to help “kick start” the firm’s food sector. He was very influential in the expansion and growth of the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Personal Care sectors -growing the operation into its own Strategic Business Unit (SBU), in 2002 and ultimately taking the helm of all Industrial Process Operations in late 2004. Under his leadership, the Industrial Operations group grew significantly—adding a number of Fortune 500 and International clients to the company’s roster.

Bob has been very instrumental in the merger / acquisition of a number of firms beginning in late 2004 and has led the acquisition and integration efforts. He also successfully initiated the organic start-up of a large number of our current offices.

Bob was named an associate with the firm in 1990 and a principal in 1999.

Bob moved into an International Operations position in late 2008 to assist with SSOE’s expansion globally, specifically Asia. His role included oversight of SSOE’s Asia Pacific Operations and he assisted in growing our Shanghai office into SSOE’s second largest office, he also assisted in initiating our expansion and acquisition of NKS / d-Tech in India.

In October 2009, Bob was named the position of Chief Operating Officer where he was accountable for SSOE’s global operations. In this role, he was responsible for the successful execution of business plan strategies, providing overall structure and guidance to the operational units, the implementation of programs to attain growth and profit goals, and the development and direct execution of operating policies to support company objectives.

He was instrumental in the formation of SSOE’s Joint Venture with M.E.I., paving the ground for serving clients in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Bob also serves as the Chairman of SSOE & M.E.I. Project Solutions SDN BDN Board of Directors.

In December of 2014, Bob was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of SSOE.

Bob was elected to SSOE’s Board of Directors in December of 2006; he served as Chairman of the Board from December 2007 – December 2012.   Due to term limits, Bob relinquished his Board seat in 2013 and became a non-voting Board Advisor, he was re-elected to the Board in December of 2013 to begin another three year term on the Board. Bob now serves on the Board as President, concurrent to his term as CEO.

Bob is also active on local area boards. He is involved with Read for Literacy-Board Executive Committee (Vice Chairman); Read for Literacy (Board Member / Vice Chairman); University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation, Business Engagement and Leadership Council (Board Member); Homeowner’s Association (Board Member / President); Homeowner’s Association (Board Executive Committee / President); Toledo Science Society (Member); International Boxing Club and Learning Center (Board Member).