Tyler O'Neal, Staff Editor

Woolpert has appointed Carl Lucas as its Chief Information Officer. Lucas will be responsible for driving the development, integration, and security of IT initiatives that are vital for expanding Woolpert's global presence in architecture, engineering, and geospatial operations, as well as advancing the firm’s innovative artificial intelligence technologies. Working closely with Woolpert's leadership team, Lucas aims to strengthen the organization's cybersecurity resilience, improve overall IT effectiveness, streamline IT integration processes for newly acquired companies, and enhance a comprehensive AI program designed to support the firm’s corporate services, internal IT infrastructure, generative AI capabilities, and operational needs.

With over thirty years of global IT experience, including a decade in the geospatial industry, Lucas brings extensive expertise in developing and implementing IT strategies across a variety of tech startups, Fortune 500 companies, and equity-backed enterprises. His strategic leadership has consistently driven technological innovation and operational efficiency in various organizational environments.

Expressing his excitement about the role, Lucas stated, "I am honored to embark on this transformative journey with Woolpert at such a pivotal moment in the company's development. My goal is to lead progressive global IT initiatives and pioneering AI solutions that align with Woolpert's strategic vision, ultimately delivering enhanced value to both customers and employees."

Before joining Woolpert, Lucas served as the Vice President of Information Technology at NV5, where he focused on enhancing technological capabilities and scalability within the geospatial solutions division. His responsibilities included overseeing global technology infrastructure, operational processes, cloud services, and IT security measures.

Neil Churman, President of Woolpert, praised Lucas's appointment, stating, "Carl's adept leadership in guiding technology-driven entities through innovative growth phases makes him an exceptional fit to facilitate Woolpert's expanding global enterprise. His deep industry knowledge, strategic insight, and focus on innovation position him ideally to help us unify, secure, and grow our operations. We are genuinely pleased and privileged to welcome him to our esteemed team."

Lucas holds a bachelor's degree in astrophysics from the University of Rochester and has further enhanced his credentials with professional certificates in Management and Leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Stanford University. Working from Woolpert's office in the St. Pete Innovation District in St. Petersburg, Florida, Lucas is set to make significant contributions to the firm's strategic technological goals, positioning Woolpert at the forefront of advancement in architecture, engineering, geospatial operations, and artificial intelligence.

The appointment of Carl Lucas emphasizes Woolpert's commitment to developing a robust, forward-thinking IT infrastructure to navigate the evolving landscape of global architecture, engineering, geospatial technologies, and AI innovation, highlighting the critical interplay between technological expertise and strategic vision in driving sustainable growth within the organization and the wider industry.