JACKSON, MS — Neel-Schaffer promotes Robert Walker, PE, to the position of Chief Operations Officer, and hires Jarrett Taylor, PE, as a Transportation Engineer, both based in the firm’s Jackson office.Walker assumes the COO role that was held for 13 years by Joey Hudnall, PE. Hudnall now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Walker has 34 years of experience. He joined Neel-Schaffer in 1991 as an Engineer Intern and has served in a variety of roles, most recently as the Manager of the firm’s Central Region, which encompasses 17 Mississippi-based offices and a subsidiary firm, Maptech, Inc. Walker is also an Executive Vice President and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors.

“I can’t say enough good things about Robert and what he has done for this company over the last 30 years,” Hudnall said. “He is very well-respected in our company and our industry. He serves on our board, and he has done a tremendous job of managing our Mississippi operations. He cares about this company and wants to give back, wants to see us grow and prosper and see all of our employees reach their greatest potential.”

In 2021 the firm adopted a five-year strategic plan, One Neel-Schaffer, aimed at increasing revenue and expanding market share across the company’s existing footprint and beyond. Hudnall said Walker will focus on supporting the firm’s strategic initiatives in this new role.

“I am excited about this new role and its focus on operations and numbers, which are my strengths,” Walker said. “I look forward to working with our leaders across the organization on our next stages of growth, seeking ways to pool resources and expand services to our clients.”

Walker is a Mississippi native and holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Mississippi State University.

Taylor has 10 years of experience, including over nine with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). He worked in the MDOT Roadway Design Division, served as a Section Engineer, and then served as MDOT District 3 Pre-Construction Engineer. Most recently, Taylor worked on pavement preservation, bridge replacement, and traffic control projects for another consulting firm.

Taylor will work in Neel-Schaffer’s Transportation Group, designing projects, creating and maintaining schedules, and assisting in project management. Taylor’s primary focus will be on current and future MDOT and Arkansas Department of Transportation projects.

“We are really excited to have Jarrett joining our team,” said Keith Purvis, PE, Manager of Neel-Schaffer’s Mississippi Transportation department. “His previous DOT experience will be an asset to Neel-Schaffer in our efforts to manage our current projects while also securing future work.”

Taylor is a Registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi and Arkansas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Mississippi.