Schnabel Engineering names new president and CEO

Glen Allen, Va. — Schnabel Engineering, Inc. announced that after more than 28 years with the firm, Gordon M. Matheson, Ph.D., P.E., PG, president and CEO, will retire from the firm at the end of February 2016. Schnabel’s Board of Directors named Walter J. Rabe, P.E., president and CEO. Matheson, who has served as Schnabel’s president and CEO since 2001, will continue to serve in an advisory role to facilitate Schnabel’s leadership transition until his departure.

Rabe has been with Schnabel since 2001 and served as Branch Leader for the firm’s Sterling, Va., office until 2012.  He served as Executive Vice-President of Schnabel Engineering Consultants, Inc. since that time.  Rabe has been involved with the growth of the firm’s international work, traveling to more than 60 countries in the past 15 years.

“We are very excited to have Walt, a long-time Board Member, step into the CEO role,” said Board Chair, Raymond A. DeStephen. “The Board is confident that Walt is the right person to continue Schnabel’s growth and guide the firm through the coming years.”

Rabe commented, “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Gordon for his extraordinary contributions as our CEO. During his tenure, Gordon has led the firm’s transition from a regional to a national player in our industry, overseeing significant and profitable growth as Schnabel has developed our geo, dam, and tunnel engineering practices.” 

“I am proud of the firm Schnabel has become over the past 15 years and as Schnabel moves into this next chapter of its history, I know it will continue its tradition of exceptional client service and industry innovation,” said Matheson.