Huitt-Zollars is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert J. McDermott as President. Robert L. Zollars, co-founder of the firm and past President, will remain as Chairman of the Board.
Preceding this appointment, McDermott served as Executive Vice President of the firm since 2001. In this role he was responsible for firm wide operations, overseeing 19 offices in eight states and three international locations. He has also served as Senior Vice President and Office Manager of the Albuquerque office from 1997-2001, and prior to that as Vice President of the firm from 1991-1997.
Throughout his career, McDermott has built a vast and impressive portfolio, including serving as Structural Design Leader and Project Manager for the DART Light Rail North Central Corridor twin-bored tunnels under North Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas. He has a wide variety of project experience for private and public clients in the energy, transportation, federal, and institutional markets.
McDermott began his career in 1977 after graduating in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut. He also holds a Master of Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.
McDermott’s professional affiliations include American Society of Civil Engineers, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, American Consulting Engineers Council, and North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. McDermott embraces Huitt-Zollars’ corporate philosophy, “to constantly improve the quality of life in our world.” He currently serves on the Board of Catholic Charities of Dallas where he was Board Chair from 2013-2016. He also volunteers at Methodist Dallas Hospital and the Dallas County Jail.