February 6, 2024

Celebrating Evolution: A Bright Outlook for 2024

Celebrating Evolution: A Bright Outlook for 2024

For 56 years, Wood Harbinger has delivered brilliant engineering solutions with innovation, creativity, and quality. 2023 set the stage for a time of growth and evolution in 2024 as our next generation of leadership takes the reins.

New Leadership

As of January 1, 2024, President/CEO Tom Leonidas, PE, MBA started a new chapter and Executive Vice President Sean Bollen, PE, became Wood Harbinger’s new President/CEO. As part of this long-planned leadership transition, Sean is joined by a leadership team including Controller Courtney Montgomery and Director of Operations Andy Brown.

Sean brings a nearly 30-year history with Wood Harbinger as an electrical engineer and project manager. He has been managing principal of Wood Harbinger’s electrical engineering group for four years.

Courtney has been with the firm for 15 years in roles of increasing responsibility in business and financial management.

Andy has also been with Wood Harbinger for 15 years, starting out in CAD and electrical design. He has led the firm’s operations for more than five years.

Celebration

Wecelebrated this transition on October 26th with colleagues andclients gathered at the Wood Harbinger office. The festivities featured alovely spread of delicious food catered by The Catering Company, bartending by ourown Executive Assistant Sheri Livingood and Project Assistant Melissa Evans, amusic playlist curated by Andy, and a slideshow of photos featuring WoodHarbinger projects and team members throughout the firm’s long history.

Clients and colleagues celebrated together in Wood Harbinger’s “Energy” café/kitchen space.

Partygoers also had the chance to see the Wood Harbinger race car up close and personal, which is owned by mechanical designer Mitchell Hughey, who races competitively throughout the state.

Mitchell proudly sports the Wood Harbinger logo and colors on his Subaru WRX sti!

Guests were also encouraged to “take a little Wood Harbinger with you” in the form of leftover hors d’oeouvres in customized to-go containers.

“Wood Harbinger is like a family, and you’d bring leftovers home from a family gathering, so why not a Wood Harbinger party?” said Andy.

Words of Wisdom

Tom shared reflections about his more than 40-year career in the local industry, which includes many years with electrical engineering firm Sparling before joining Wood Harbinger in 2011 as executive vice president. He became president/CEO in 2014. During his tenure, Wood Harbinger supported several signature projects in the local area, including the new SR-520 floating bridge, several significant utility infrastructure renovations at Harborview Medical Center, and ongoing work throughout Naval Base Kitsap.

Tom has been a fixture in the Pacific Northwest engineering industry for more than 40 years and guided the Wood Harbinger team for nearly a decade.

Tom’s 2024 plans include enjoying more personal time, volunteering in community service and industry organizations and exploring new ways to continue contributing professionally to the industry.

Sean also shared his vision for the future and his personal history with Wood Harbinger, from joining the firm right out of college and designing electrical systems for a broad range of projects, from Navy wharves to new elementary schools.

Sean is excited to guide Wood Harbinger’s team into the future!
Andy and Courtney, along with Principals Nick Baker and June Mechure, unveiled “Carboard Sean,” an ingenious solution to preserve our team’s ability to get facetime with Sean as he takes on the additional responsibilities of being president/CEO.
“Cardboard Sean” pales a bit in comparison to the man himself!

Team Growth

We also welcomed four new team members in 2023, reflecting significant team growth for our firm. Electrical designer Noi Brown joined us in January, Senior Mechanical Engineer James Carter came aboard in late September, and Electrical Designers Tim Del Mundo and Michael Provera started in December.

“I am passionate about power and design and enjoy working with a team to solve problems.”

Noi is an electrical designer with six years’ experience, including working for the FAA as a resident electrical engineer in addition to consulting. She has worked on a variety of electrical distribution systems for commercial buildings, transportation infrastructure, and aviation facilities. Prior to a career change into engineering, Brown owned and managed a remodeling company. She holds a BS in electrical engineering and a minor in computer science engineering.

“I love mechanical engineering and am always up for new challenges. I really enjoy working at Wood Harbinger because the people are bright, social, and technically competent. We all work together toward a common goal.”

James spent 10 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard prior to launching his consulting engineering career in the Seattle Area. He served in a variety of management and leadership roles in the Coast Guard, including as the Port State Control Branch Chief at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, as a mechanical engineer at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, and as the auxiliary mechanical and electrical engineering division head aboard a high-endurance warship. James holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy. He is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration, also at the University of Washington.

“As an electrical designer in the MEP consulting industry, I find joy in problem-solving for clients, witnessing the tangible realization of electrical designs, and fostering a collaborative work environment with colleagues.”

Tim graduated in 2015 with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington. His recent experience includes several healthcare facility renovation projects. His achievements include top-three rankings in American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges’ Student Mathematics League competitions while attending Bellevue College.

“I am passionate learning new technologies, new techniques, and new fields of study.”

Michael brings diverse experience designing luxury residential, multi-family housing, hotel renovations, healthcare facilities, and office renovations. He holds a master’s degree in biological engineering from the University of Hawaii and a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Sean expressed our excitement about having these four folks join the team. “Each of them bring technical abilities and dynamic personalities that make them perfect fits for Wood Harbinger.”

Sean, Andy, and Courtney are thrilled to lead Wood Harbinger into a bright future in 2024.