Q&A With … Mike Orth, CEO of GFT

Posted May 21, 2025

Q: As CEO of GFT, what strategies do you plan to bring to the role, especially with your time at Black & Veatch in both the Kansas City and Phoenix, AZ areas?
A: As the new CEO of GFT, I am currently in the midst of a 90-day listening tour across North America. This period is dedicated to understanding the perspectives and experiences of our employees while also gaining a comprehensive insight into the varied infrastructure solutions we offer to our clients and communities. With our expertise spanning transportation, water, power, buildings and places, and construction services, it’s an immense scope to familiarize myself with in a relatively short time. My goal is to leverage this knowledge to strategically guide GFT towards continued success and innovation.

Q: How closely will you work with the team in the Kansas City market moving forward?
A: Our location in Kansas City represents one of our largest and most dynamic hubs. Given our extensive expertise across North America, I am committed to collaborating closely with our leadership team to ensure we effectively meet market and industry needs wherever they arise.

Q: Following the merger between Gannett Fleming and TranSystems last year, GFT has a foothold in the KC engineering sector. With KC being such a focal point for engineering firms (six firms with a billion-dollar-plus presence), how does GFT plan to navigate that playing field?
A: Kansas City is indeed a significant hub for engineering firms, and we are fortunate to have access to a rich pool of talent from the region’s renowned engineering schools. This abundance of skilled professionals is vital for driving innovation and achieving success in our industry. As the new CEO, I look forward to leveraging this local expertise to further strengthen our team and enhance our impact in the market.

Q: Now that the company has a new rebrand, what does the “next phase of growth” look like for GFT?
A: Our mission is to be the most people-centric firm in North America, driven by technology and innovation. Being people-centric, though, is multifaceted. For our 5,000+ employees, it means providing competitive benefits and opportunities to grow in their careers through professional development, mentoring, and working on diverse projects. It also means being focused on our clients and the communities where we live and work, being attuned to their needs, because they are the driving force behind all our decisions.

From a growth standpoint, it means bringing GFT’s 110-year shared history and continually innovating to ensure we stay ahead of what’s next. We will embrace technology in our design processes and business operations to continue to deliver amazing solutions to meet our clients’ needs.

Q: With over three decades of experience in your career, what made your new role as CEO the right opportunity for you?
A: The decision to take on the role of GFT’s CEO after a long tenure at a previous employer is undoubtedly significant. There are several compelling reasons why I was motivated to make this transition:

• Opportunities for Leadership and Innovation. After nearly 36 years at my prior company, the challenges of being GFT’s first CEO, along with the opportunities to innovate, were things I couldn’t pass up. Leading a newly merged company offers the chance to shape its strategic direction and drive its growth, leveraging years of industry experience to steer the company through its transformative phase.
• Diverse Ownership Experience. As GFT’s CEO, I have the opportunity to experience diverse ownership and governance structures. These structures are providing me with new perspectives and approaches to leadership and decision-making, which I view as an invaluable part of my professional journey.
• Impact and Legacy. Being at GFT’s helm during this critical phase of its development affords me an opportunity to partner with leadership and employees across the company and make a lasting impact. The ability to influence the company’s culture, values, and strategic priorities is deeply fulfilling. This role offers a unique chance to leave a legacy by guiding the company to achieve long-term success.
• Professional Growth and Development. After decades at one company, stepping into a CEO role at a newly merged firm is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to learn new business practices and further my leadership skills.
• Commitment to People-Centric Leadership. I’ve always been passionate about people-centric leadership, so to have the opportunity to serve as the CEO of a company whose mission is to be the most people-centric firm in North America is incredibly motivating.
• Client and Community Engagement. I’m very excited to meet GFT’s clients and become involved in the communities where we live and work. Being aware of and responsive to the needs of these important stakeholders and ensuring their engagement is an extremely rewarding endeavor. It aligns with a vision of making a positive impact through responsive and responsible leadership.
• Honoring Historical Legacy While Innovating. Leading a company with a rich 110-year history while driving continuous innovation is exciting and challenging. We should never forget our roots, but we must remain competitive and forward-thinking, adapting to industry trends and evolving market demands.