April 23, 2026
As S&ME continues to grow and meet our clients’ needs, we are making strategic investments in leadership. The goal: to strengthen our foundation and support long-term sustainability. We welcome two experienced executives, Kevin Furman and Scott Smith, to our legal and administrative teams. They reflect our commitment to operational excellence as a top firm with national reach and expertise in geotechnical engineering, environmental, civil, and construction services.
“Our recent leadership hires position S&ME for sustainable, long-term growth,” says President and CEO Stewart Laney. “By strengthening our executive team with leaders like Kevin and Scott, we’re building the structure, systems, and leadership capacity needed to support our people, adapt to change, and thoughtfully expand into the future.”
Chief Legal Counsel, Kevin Furman
S&ME is pleased to welcome Kevin Furman, JD, as the firm’s new Chief Legal Counsel. Based in S&ME’s Raleigh, North Carolina office, Kevin brings more than 20 years of legal leadership experience supporting engineering, construction, and professional services organizations.
Kevin is a seasoned legal executive with deep expertise in:
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Dispute and claims management
- Insurance and professional liability
- Enterprise risk mitigation
Background and AEC Industry Experience
Throughout his career, Kevin has partnered closely with executive leadership and project teams to translate complex legal matters into clear, practical guidance that supports business objectives and successful project delivery.
Most recently, Kevin served as Senior Director and Legal Counsel at Clark Construction Group. where he oversaw high-value contracts, and managed litigation and outside counsel. His background spans both in-house and private practice experience, providing a well-rounded perspective on the legal challenges facing our industry today.
Read Kevin’s Triangle Business Journal People on the Move feature.
Role at S&ME
As Chief Legal Counsel at S&ME, Kevin serves as a trusted legal advisor across the company, guiding contract strategy, managing risk, and supporting teams as the firm continues to grow. His responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic legal guidance to leadership and internal teams
- Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts and service agreements
- Supporting compliance and governance efforts
- Overseeing dispute resolution and claims coordination
- Helping teams navigate contract negotiations with a risk‑informed approach.
“Effective legal support should enable progress. My focus at S&ME is on helping teams navigate risk-informed decisions and contract strategies that support the firm’s growth while maintaining the standards that we and our clients expect,” says Kevin.
Chief Administrative Officer, Scott Smith
S&ME is pleased to welcome Scott Smith, PE, JD, as the firm’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Scott will be based in our Raleigh, North Carolina office, supporting operational excellence and the firm’s continued growth.
Background and AEC Industry Experience
Scott brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across engineering, construction, and professional services organizations.
Most recently, Scott served as Vice President of Operations for Foundations Mechanics, a construction and program management firm, where he played a central role in more than doubling the company’s business. His leadership spanned:
- Financial management
- Strategic planning
- Operational execution
He has also held senior leadership roles with nationally recognized engineering firms, CHA Companies, overseeing acquisition integration and regional operations, and HR Green, where he led various aspects of strategy, legal affairs, mergers and acquisitions, and multi-office operations.
Read Scott’s Triangle Business Journal People on the Move feature.
Role at S&ME
As Chief Administrative Officer, Scott plays a key role in helping S&ME operate effectively today while preparing the firm for the future. As a member of the executive leadership team, he partners closely with leaders to translate strategic goals into well-aligned systems, processes, and infrastructure that support our people and our growth.
Scott’s responsibilities include:
- Leading firmwide administrative operations
- Aligning systems and policies with strategic growth
- Strengthening scalability, talent, and risk management
“My focus is on ensuring our processes, technology, and administrative functions are aligned with where the firm is headed, so our teams have what they need to work effectively today and are well-positioned into the future,” says Scott.
Leadership Impact on S&ME
As S&ME continues to grow, investments in our executive leadership promote both innovation and resilience. S&ME is excited to welcome Kevin Furman and Scott Smith. We look forward to the experience, insight, and steady leadership they bring to the firm.