Darren Conner Named COO; Dave Maxwell, Dave Mahoney, Phil Thiel Named President.
Fairfax, VA—May 23, 2025 — Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced executive leadership changes across the enterprise. The promotions include Darren Conner, Dave Maxwell, Dave Mahoney, and Phil Thiel.
Dewberry CEO Donald E. Stone, Jr. says of these promotions, “I am confident these four tenured leaders will help strengthen, grow, and advance the future of Dewberry.” He adds, “As an organization, we are constantly evolving to make sure we’re responsive to the complex changes that this industry presents, and making these appointments to our senior leadership team is a natural evolution of those changes.”
· Darren Conner, PE, has been named Dewberry’s chief operating officer (COO). In this role, Conner will oversee business development and strategic planning for the firm’s 60 offices, which provide architecture; construction; engineering; environmental; geospatial, mapping, and survey; planning, consulting, and advisory; and technology services. He most recently held the position of president of Dewberry Engineers Inc., the firm’s engineering practice. In his new role, Conner will also align Dewberry’s client management program to further serve the needs of its new and existing clients. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech (1983) and an associate’s degree in pre-engineering from Danville Community College (1981). Conner was appointed COO of Dewberry’s holding company.
· Dave Maxwell, PE, has been named president of Dewberry Engineers Inc., where he will oversee operations and growth for more than 10 operating units across 60 offices, providing services to clients in the community facilities, education, energy, health and wellness, industrial, justice, real estate and commercial development, telecommunications, transportation, and water market segments. Prior to this promotion, Maxwell served as the operating unit manager for Dewberry’s Southeast and mid-Atlantic operations. He will continue to oversee strategic growth areas for the company, including southeast transportation, and serves as an operational leader for corporate strategy, including Dewberry’s strategic plan. Maxwell earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia (1994).
· Dave Mahoney, PE, has been named president of Dewberry’s program delivery practice where he will oversee the firm’s program delivery functions and associated risk management teams, including alternative project delivery, quality management system, cash management, and health, safety, and environment programs. In addition to his role as president, he serves as the market segment leader for the firm’s transportation and alternative project delivery practices. Mahoney earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota State University (1984). Mahoney has been appointed president of Dewberry’s holding company.
· Phil Thiel has been named president of Dewberry’s consulting division, which also supports the firm’s federal clients and contracts. In addition to continuing with his geospatial and technology leadership responsibilities, Thiel will support the firm’s newly acquired OASIS+ contract, including staff augmentation. Thiel earned two bachelor’s degrees from Brenau University, one in business administration and another in fire protection. He is a member of ESRI’s Partner Advisory Council, the National Geospatial Advisory Council (NGAC), Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and is on the board of directors of the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS). Thiel was also the co-founder and first president of the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC).
About Dewberry
Dewberry is a leading, market-facing firm with a proven history of providing professional services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Recognized for combining unsurpassed commitment to client service with deep subject matter expertise, Dewberry is dedicated to solving clients’ most complex challenges and transforming their communities. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 60 locations and 2,500+ professionals nationwide. To learn more, visit www.dewberry.com.
