David (DJ) Jackson, PWS, will move into the role of Operations Lead for CEC Athens starting on May 26, 2024, with Todd Babcock, LS, P.L.S., retiring at the end of the month.
Prior to joining CEC in 2018, Todd served as the Senior Survey Supervisor in northeastern Pennsylvania for Chesapeake Energy, Access Midstream, and Williams. Moving into the Operations Lead role was a great fit as the natural gas industry was the office’s largest client base for years. Under his leadership, the Athens office evolved by expanding its client list and its work with other CEC offices. He also led the office through its move from Sayre to Athens to accommodate its growing client base and expanding service lineup.
Todd said he began thinking about retiring about a year ago. “While I’m healthy I want to spend time with my family.” He’s especially looking forward to the time with his toddler granddaughter. In addition, Todd plans to continue his mission of sharing and promoting the surveying profession to young people. He will also be busy with renovations to a commercial space he, his wife, and several family members recently purchased just across the street from the office.
The retirement is bittersweet for him, though. “I love CEC. I love the people here,” Todd said. He’s especially proud of the Athens team. “They are intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated. It’s truly been a privilege to lead this office.” Todd points to the spirit of collaboration that exists in the firm, especially amongst Athens, Pittsburgh, and Monroeville. “We are all in this together and what helps Athens helps us all.”
Todd and DJ have been working closely together over the past three months in preparation for the leadership transition.
DJ, who joined CEC in 2019, is a Principal and served as the Ecological Services Practice Lead for Athens. Justin Theodorakos, a Senior Project Manager, has taken over the role as Ecological Services Practice Lead for Athens. DJ is an environmental scientist and certified Professional Wetland Scientist with environmental consulting experience serving the public utility, oil & gas, petrochemical, and land development industries over his 24-year career. DJ is also a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists and the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
As DJ considers his future as Operations Lead, his main goals are to continue providing excellent service for clients and to help his staff with career development.
“I’m very happy to be with CEC. I like the way the company is organized, the expertise offered, and the camaraderie of the people. Each of us in Athens are beneficiaries of the excellent work and client relationships that were started before we arrived and I want to see that continue,” DJ said.
Please join us as we wish DJ the best of luck in his new role and thank Todd for his leadership and service to the office and to CEC.
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