TOLEDO, Ohio, December 11, 2015 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), a global engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) firm, announced today the appointment of five new Principals, effective January 1, 2016. SSOE’s Board of Directors named Nate Czerniejewski, PE, PMP; Mike Hickman, PE; Jim Lewis; Matt Oberts, PE; and Jennifer Wuertz, SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP as principal owners of SSOE.
Each of these individuals has proven to be an effective leader and driver of the business. Principal ownership represents more than a financial stake, it is also a reflection of each individual’s dedication and commitment to the firm.
Bob Howell, President and CEO stated, “These individuals have distinguished themselves in their careers at SSOE through leadership, professionalism, performance, and commitment to the values that make SSOE a great place to work. They have made significant contributions to our success in the past and will continue to do so in the future, helping to assure the sustainability of our organization.”
Nate Czerniejewski, PE, PMP, Division Manager, has over 20 years of experience. He joined SSOE in 1995 as a Student Intern, and quickly advanced within the organization. Over the years, Nate has gained invaluable experience by serving as SSOE’s On-site Engineering Manager for Toyota in San Antonio, Texas; Princeton, Indiana; and Valenciennes, France. Subsequent, he served as Section Manager, Sr. Project Manager, and On-site Lead Construction Manager before becoming a Division Manager for SSOE’s Construction Management Division. Nate is a graduate of the University of Toledo and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In addition, he obtained his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2012.
Mike Hickman, PE, Business Leader, has 40 years of experience. He joined the company through the merger of SSOE and EOM (East Ohio Machinery, Ltd) in 2010. As a past-owner of EOM, Mike brought many years of experience in engineering, business operations, and business development to SSOE. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer in Ohio and Texas and a member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers (AISE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Akron in 1976.
Jim Lewis, Department Manager, has nearly 20 years of experience. He started his career with SSOE in 2001 and continued to progress. In 2009, he was promoted to Section Manager of the Food Consumer Products (FCP) Department. In 2011, Jim was promoted to his current position of Department Manager of the FCP Controls Department. Jim is a graduate of the University of Toledo, where he earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering.
Matt Oberts, PE, LEED AP, Division Manager started his career at SSOE in 2007 as the Mechanical Engineering Department Manager in the Facilities SBU. In 2009, Matt obtained both his Professional Engineering (PE) license and his LEED for New Construction Accreditation. He was promoted to Division Manager in 2010 and currently heads the Technical Division of the Facilities SBU. Matt is a graduate of The University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. In addition, he earned an MBA in Strategic Management from Davenport University.
Jennifer Wuertz, SPHR, GPHR joined SSOE’s Human Resources staff in 1993. She has served in various positions within the Human Resources Department. In 1999, Jennifer was named an Associate, and in 2006, she became a Sr. Associate before being named Director, Talent Management in late 2014. Twice a graduate of the University of Toledo, Jennifer has received both her Bachelor of Art in Human Resource Management and her MBA. She is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), attaining certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). She is a member of both the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Northwest Ohio Human Resources Association (NOHRA).
