TOLEDO, Ohio, December 18, 2025 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, recently announced several key leadership positions, including the election of new members to its Board of Directors, the appointment of a new principal owner, and a series of other significant promotions for planning year 2026.
New Board Appointments
The primary role of SSOE’s Board of Directors is to set the firm’s overall direction and protect shareholder interests. It determines the high-level mission, strategic priorities, and direction of the company, and is responsible for appointing, evaluating performance, and planning the succession of SSOE’s chief executive officer. The board’s responsibilities also include oversight of SSOE’s stock program. SSOE is pleased to announce the following regarding the make-up of its Board of Directors:
Robin Whitney, PE who was originally elected to her first three-year Inside Director term in 2024, has been elected Chair of the Board. She also serves as SSOE’s Chief Administrative Officer.
Susan Payden, Vice President, Cash and Investments, at Trinity Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health systems, has been elected to her first term as an Outside Director. In her role at Trinity Health, Payden is responsible for the multi-billion-dollar investment program comprised of the health system’s operating, foundation, insurance, and retirement plans assets. She is active in her community and currently serves on The University of Toledo Foundation Board of Trustees, including their Executive Committee, Investment Committee, and Finance / Audit Committee.
Jeanne Cormier was re-elected to her second term as an Outside Director. Cormier is the former CEO of H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner), an infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation, and water clients.
Jeremy Woodgate, PE, SE has been re-elected to a second three-year term as an Inside Director. For the past two years, Woodgate has served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the firm’s Advanced Technology and Process operations. Under his leadership, SSOE has consistently ranked in the top 3 Semiconductor Design Firms in the ENR Sourcebook.
Erick Kuri Gallardo has been appointed to the Board of Directors with a term expiring in December 2027. He also serves as the firms’ Principal Operations Director for our Mexico Operations and oversees Automotive and Manufacturing Facilities’ Electrical Engineering, DFS, and Mechanical Departments.
Finally, SSOE’s Board of Directors also appointed Senior Associate Rob Castor, PE, as a Board Observer. Castor serves as a Department Manager in SSOE’s Advanced Technology group. Architect Laura Morton, AIA, NCARB, Senior Associate, and current Board Observer, will continue her term until December 2026.
Board Members Continuing in Office:
- Vince DiPofi, PE – Chief Executive Officer
- Ramsey Baker – Board Advisor
- Brett Susany – Executive, AI & Innovation
- Matt Oberts, PE, LEED AP – Executive Vice President
- Jim Lewis – Executive Vice President
- Greg Brogley, PE, PMP – Executive Vice President, Facilities Operation Manager
- Susan Shultz – Outside Director
- Larry Covert – Outside Director
New Principal Named
SSOE also announced the addition of a new principal. This designation at SSOE acknowledges key leaders extend beyond the C-suite, encompassing roles in technical, account management, and project management, alongside traditional people management paths.
Program Manager Robert Remski, PMP, has been with SSOE since 2021. Remski is an experienced program manager in SSOE’s Advanced Technology team. With 25 years in the high-tech manufacturing industry, he combines technical expertise with strong communication skills to lead cross-functional teams and deliver successful projects. Remski holds a Master of Business Administration from Portland State University and both a Master of Industrial Engineering and Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
Other Key Promotions for Planning Year 2026
Mathew Bierschbach, SSOE’s Food and Consumer Products Division Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Bierschbach joined SSOE in 2007 as a Mechanical Engineer in the firm’s Process operation, with a focus on industrial chemical projects. He moved through the ranks to become a Department Manager for Process Mechanical and most recently served in a development-focused business role heavily involved in new client pursuits. Matt works out of SSOE’s Toledo, Ohio, office and holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo.
Shawn Pankratz has been promoted to Vice President. Pankratz joined SSOE as a Project Management Assistant in January 2013 through the firm’s acquisition of Evergreen EDC. He quickly rose through the ranks, promoted to Assistant Project Manager, Project Manager, Senior Program Manager, and now serves as Principal Division Manager for SSOE’s Advanced Technology business unit. A graduate of Lewis & Clark College with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, Pankratz has over a decade of experience, specializing in semiconductor cleanroom and technology manufacturing design projects, and was named a Top Young Professional by ENR Northwest in 2024.
Adrienne Taylor, PE, Division Manager for SSOE’s Chemical Process operations, has been promoted to Vice President. Taylor has been with SSOE for two decades, progressing from a junior-level engineer to leading her division. She manages operations for process engineers, piping designers, instrumentation and controls, and project managers. Taylor was previously named “Young Engineer of the Year” by both the Toledo Society of Professional Engineers and the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and was presented the Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton and became a licensed professional engineer in Ohio in 2010.
David Semproch, AIA, NCARB, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Strategic Business Unit Leader of the Architecture and Design group, setting visionary direction and elevating delivery across a team of more than 150 architecture professionals. A licensed architect with project experience ranging from corporate and commercial facilities to large-scale industrial facilities, Semproch is known for transforming complex programs into clear, buildable solutions—balancing the art of architecture, science of engineering, and craft of construction. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Kent State University.
New Roles for Planning Year 2026
Jeremy Woodgate, PE, SE, has been named SSOE’s new Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Jeremy will lead initiatives that drive revenue growth, including strategies for organic expansion, entering new markets, pursuit planning, business development, and overseeing operations for the Advanced Technology team. He previously served as co-Chief Operating Officer.
Mike Newman, PMP, has taken on a new role as SSOE’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development, centralizing and combining our Operations Marketing and Business Development groups, a first in SSOE history. Newman joined SSOE in 2019 and previously led the firm’s High-Tech business unit. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Oregon State University.
Carrie González has also assumed a new role as the Director of Strategic Marketing and Client Pursuits, reporting to Newman. A seasoned marketing leader with more than 15 years of experience in business-to-business marketing within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, González brings deep expertise in driving growth and client engagement. Her role bridges strategic marketing, proposal development, and client positioning—ensuring alignment with business development priorities and sector-specific growth goals. González began her career at SSOE in 2010, becoming Director of Marketing in 2022. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo and is certified in AI applications for marketing.
Candice Harrison has stepped into the role of Director of Inclusion and Community Impact, expanding her community engagement to include oversight of the firm’s philanthropic efforts. A recognized leader in the Toledo-area community, Harrison serves in key roles with the Press Club of Toledo, Rotary Club of Toledo, The Arts Commission, and African American Leadership Council of United Way. She also hosts SSOE’s A Blueprint for Equity podcast, amplifying conversations around diversity, inclusion, and allyship in the AEC industry. Most recently, Harrison was named a 2026 YWCA Milestones: A Tribute to Women honoree in the category of volunteerism. She joined SSOE in 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Art in Communication and Public Relations from the University of Toledo and a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership from Spring Arbor University.
To view a full list of SSOE Leadership, click here.