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Strategic Advisory · AEC & Professional Services

Partnering with AEC Leaders to Unlock
Lasting Strategic Value

George J. Pierson is a seasoned executive and turnaround specialist — engineer, attorney, and CEO — trusted by investors, boards, and senior leaders to navigate complex challenges and build lasting strategic value.

Work With George Learn More
$2.1B+
Shareholder Value Created
700%+
Total Share Price Increases
35+
Years of Experience
50+
Countries Operational Oversight
George J. Pierson

The man ASCE called the "MacGyver of the Corporate World" — leading organizations through the challenges others run away from.

American Society of Civil Engineers ↗
About George J. Pierson

A Multidisciplinary
Strategic Leader

With a rare combination of engineering, law, and executive leadership, George J. Pierson has spent more than 35 years solving the problems that other advisors avoid. As CEO of both Parsons Brinckerhoff and Kleinfelder, he resolved complex litigation, navigated near-bankruptcy, rebuilt leadership teams, and created over $2.1 billion in shareholder value.

George's greatest strength lies in identifying and solving problems that appear intractable — providing objective, experienced counsel that protects employees, clients, and the long-term strength of the organization. He sees the big picture while diving deep into the details, applying transparency and trust to navigate solutions others miss.

Today, George continues his advisory work through The Pierson Advisory Group while serving as Partner at ARA Services Partners, investing in and scaling professional services organizations in the AEC industry.

Corporate Turnaround Crisis Management M&A & Divestitures Board Leadership Strategic Advisory International Operations Cultural Transformation Capital Structure Infrastructure Investment
Harvard Law SchoolJ.D., cum laude
UC BerkeleyM.S., Civil Engineering
St. Mary's CollegeMBA, with Honors
Bucknell UniversityB.S., Civil Engineering, summa cum laude
Licensed P.E.State of California
Bar AdmissionCA · PA · NJ · NY
What We Do

Strategic Services for
Complex Challenges

Whether you face an underperforming division, an unexpected crisis, lack of strategic focus, or a complex transition — The Pierson Advisory Group provides the counsel to resolve it.

Strategic Advice & Consulting
Objective, senior-level counsel to remove obstacles and accelerate your organization's strategic trajectory.
  • Organizational structure & realignment
  • Cultural transformation
  • Performance enhancement
  • Senior leadership team development
  • Strategic focus & planning
Corporate Transitions & Investment
Expert guidance through ownership transitions, capital events, and strategic transactions that maximize value for all stakeholders.
  • Mergers, acquisitions & divestitures
  • Private equity transactions
  • Ownership transition planning
  • International business entry & exit
  • Infrastructure investments
Crisis Response & Management
Proven leadership through existential threats — from litigation and regulatory crises to financial distress and reputational risk.
  • Crisis assessment & immediate response
  • Complex litigation strategy & resolution
  • Government & stakeholder negotiation
  • Bankruptcy avoidance & lender workout
  • Reputation & client relationship recovery
Proven Impact

A Track Record of
Measurable Results

Kleinfelder · CEO & Executive Chairman · 2016–2023
From Near-Workout
to Private Equity Exit
Joined a firm burdened by heavy debt, high turnover, low morale, and a declining stock price. Rebuilt the leadership team, reorganized around performance-based principles (ARA: Authority, Responsibility, Accountability), dramatically improved profitability — culminating just 27 months later in a majority PE investment at 450% of the initial share price — approved by 99% of employee shareholders with 20% employee ownership preserved.
450%
Share Price Increase
27
Months to Achieve
99%
Shareholder Approval
Parsons Brinckerhoff · SVP GC → President & CEO · 2006–2014
Crisis Resolution &
$1.4B Value Creation
Arrived as General Counsel weeks before the Big Dig tunnel collapse crisis. Led the team that negotiated a global resolution with the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Federal Government — staving off bankruptcy. Rose to President & CEO, transformed the employee-owned firm, and delivered nearly $1.4B in shareholder value culminating in the sale to WSP at nearly 3x its prior value.
$1.4B
Shareholder Value Added
300%
Share Price Increase
50%
Profitability Increase
Current Venture

ARA Services Partners

As a Founder and Partner of ARA Services Partners, George invests in and works alongside exceptional operators to build market-leading professional services platforms in the AEC industry.

ARA takes an employee-centric approach — using simple, transparent, and equitable investment structures to prioritize employee satisfaction, professional development, and cultures where people want to build careers.

Employee-Centric
Equitable structures that preserve culture and reward those who build the firm
Long-Term Capital
Patient, flexible capital tailored to each company's goals — not short-term exits
Operational Support
Hands-on guidance from operators who have scaled AEC firms before
Sustainable Growth
Helping AEC firms scale without sacrificing what makes them great
Investing in Exceptional
AEC Operators
ARA partners with firms that have strong fundamentals, great people, and the ambition to grow — providing capital, operational expertise, and strategic support to get there.
Enhancing performance of businesses or assets
Adding strategic focus & cultural transformation
Mergers, acquisitions & divestitures
International operations & business entry/exit
Ownership transitions & infrastructure investments
Organizational realignment & team development
Board Leadership

Non-Executive Board
Roles

May 2025 – Present
Galloway & Company
Chairman
Full-spectrum architecture, engineering, and survey services firm known for its multidisciplinary Full-Spectrum Approach™ to development projects.
Apr 2022 – May 2025
Core States Group
Independent Director
Nationwide provider of architecture, engineering, and construction management services.
Sep 2021 – May 2024
The Vertex Companies
Executive Chairman
Fast-growth AEC firm delivering integrated forensic, engineering, environmental, and digital solutions on complex global projects.
Jul 2020 – May 2024
Pavion
Director
National provider of fire protection, security, and audiovisual solutions for commercial environments.
May 2016 – May 2022
Petrofac (FTSE)
Non-Executive Director
FTSE-listed international oil & gas services firm. Chair, Compliance & Ethics Committee; member, Audit and Nominations Committees.
Nov 2014 – Aug 2016
WSP · Terracon · RailWorks
Non-Executive Director
Concurrent directorships at WSP (TSX), Terracon, and RailWorks Corporation following the sale of Parsons Brinckerhoff.

George also served as a board member of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Kleinfelder during his tenure as President & CEO — firms he led through transformational growth and strategic transactions.

Industry Standing

Professional Affiliations

Member · Oct 2014 – Present
National Academy of Construction
A select organization recognizing industry leaders whose careers demonstrate outstanding contribution to the engineering and construction industry. Also serves on the Awards Committee.
Member · Apr 2010 – Present
The Moles
The most prestigious fraternal organization in the heavy construction industry, dedicated to promoting the industry and supporting colleagues through outreach and networking.
Director Emeritus · Jan 2010 – Present
New York Building Congress
A broad-based membership association committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs.
Member, Board of Governors · Feb 2008 – Present
American College of Construction Lawyers
A national organization of lawyers demonstrating skill, experience and high standards in construction law. Also serves on the Membership Committee.
Fellow · Mar 2015 – Jan 2022
International Academy of Construction Lawyers
A global forum for preeminent construction law practitioners, scholars and jurists — promoting collaboration and exchange among the foremost construction lawyers in the world.
Co-Chair, Advisory Committee · Aug 2010 – Present
Bucknell University Engineering Success Alliance
An academic success program supporting talented students from under-resourced high schools entering Bucknell's nationally recognized engineering program.
Industry Recognition

Honors & Awards

2020
Academy of Distinguished Alumni
UC Berkeley, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
2016
OPAL Award — Outstanding Leadership in Management
American Society of Civil Engineers ↗
2015
ENR Top 25 Newsmaker
Engineering News-Record
2014
CEO of the Year
EFCG — Environmental Financial Consulting Group
2013
Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Alumni of the Year
Bucknell University
2012
Parcel-Sverdrup Engineering Management Award
American Society of Civil Engineers
2012
Guest of Honor
New York Building Congress
2010
Distinguished Engineering Alumni
Bucknell University Engineering Alumni Association
Philanthropy
Empowering Single Mothers
Through Education
In 2024, George and his wife Sheri Ranger co-founded the Pierson Ranger Educational Foundation — a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to empowering single mothers pursuing higher education. The Foundation provides scholarships that support their educational goals — creating a pathway to greater financial security for them and their children.
Visit the Foundation →
Giving Back

Commitment Beyond
the Boardroom

George's commitment to service extends well beyond business. He has dedicated significant time to expanding access to engineering education — including establishing Bucknell University's Engineering Success Alliance, which provides mentoring and tutoring to promising students from under-resourced high schools navigating the demands of an engineering curriculum.

From 2012 to 2016, George served on the Board of Trustees of The Woodlynde School in Chester County — a K-12 college preparatory school dedicated to students who learn differently, providing them with the strategies and support to thrive academically and become confident, self-advocating young adults.

George believes that great leadership carries an obligation to lift others.

The founding of the Pierson Ranger Educational Foundation in 2024 reflects that enduring commitment: identifying a community in need and building something lasting to support them.

Get In Touch

Ready to solve
your toughest
challenge?

Whether you're navigating a crisis, planning a strategic transition, or seeking an experienced board director — George is ready to help.

[email protected]
LinkedIn — George J. Pierson