JACKSON, MS — Neel-Schaffer announces that Joey Hudnall, PE, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, effective immediately. Hudnall replaces Hibbett Neel, PE, who co-founded the firm in 1983. Neel will remain active with the company, continuing to serve as the Chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors.

Hudnall has served as the firm’s Chief Operations Officer since 2009 and has worked for Neel-Schaffer since 1995.

“I’m very proud of what Joey has accomplished as COO, particularly the leadership he has provided in our strategic planning initiatives,” Neel said. “I’m confident he will do an outstanding job leading the firm as Neel-Schaffer continues to move forward.”

Neel said Hudnall’s promotion is the culmination of a succession plan established several years ago. Led by Hudnall, Neel-Schaffer recently launched a five-year Strategic Plan aimed at increasing revenue and expanding market share across the company’s existing footprint and beyond.

Hudnall’s first role with Neel-Schaffer was as Engineer Manager of the firm’s Columbus, Mississippi, office. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005, Hudnall was instrumental in Neel-Schaffer’s recovery efforts, providing corporate oversight and staffing management for more than $100 million in debris management and infrastructure reconstruction projects.

Among his accomplishments since being named COO in 2009 was helping open Neel-Schaffer operations in Columbia, South Carolina, Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, along with engineering acquisitions in Shreveport, Louisiana, Houston, Texas, and Arlington, Texas.