In Their Words: Meet the Leaders Guiding Pickering’s Next Chapter

Jul 16

As we begin this exciting new chapter at Pickering, we sat down with our executive team, Bob Pitts (CEO), Mike Foster (President), and Curt Craig (VP of Business Development), to hear what this transition means to them, what inspires their leadership, and what they’re most excited about for the future of our firm.

“This role is an opportunity to help ensure the company’s long-term success. That’s a challenge I fully embrace and I’m genuinely excited about it.”
- What does stepping into this role mean to you?
  I’ve been extremely fortunate to be part of this quality organization for such a long time. Stepping into this role is a chance for me to help guide Pickering’s continued long-term success. It’s a challenge I embrace and one I’m truly excited about.
- What’s one thing you’ve learned about leadership over the years?
  I’ve learned it’s better to ask people what you can do to help them succeed, rather than telling them how to do their job. Support creates stronger outcomes than direction alone.
- What are you most excited about for the future?
  I’m most excited about our people, the talent we have, and what we’re capable of achieving together. When we adopt a growth mindset as a team, I believe we’ll see even more opportunities to build on our success in the years ahead.
“I’ve always believed in leading by example. I won’t ask anyone to do something I haven’t done, or wouldn’t do, myself.”
- How would you describe your approach to leadership?
  I’ve always tried to lead by example. I don’t ask anyone to do something I haven’t done or wouldn’t be willing to do myself. That mindset has helped me build trust and credibility with the teams I’ve worked with.
- What excites you about this new chapter?
  New opportunities are always exciting. With the team we have in place at Pickering, and their dedication to delivering Service and Good Work, I believe those opportunities are endless.
- What’s one value that’s guided your career at Pickering?
  I’ve always tried to treat others the way I want to be treated, and that’s something I carry into every part of my life. Mutual respect matters, whether it's with coworkers, clients, or the broader community.
“There’s real momentum here, and I’m excited to help carry it forward with the right relationships, the right mindset, and a long-term strategy.”
- What will your focus be as VP of Business Development?
  First, I’m excited to be back in Memphis and to work more closely with our teams in the Memphis and Arkansas offices. Over the years, Pickering has earned success across both the public and private sectors. My focus now is to keep that momentum going by deepening relationships with our existing clients, developing connections with new and potential partners, and positioning our firm for continued success in a rapidly evolving market.
  Beyond that, I’m proud to represent what I believe is the best engineering, architectural, and environmental firm in the region. We want to continue meeting and exceeding the expectations of our clients, employees, stakeholders, and communities. That’s what our vision calls for.
- What does ‘Service and Good Work’ mean to you?
  There’s a lot packed into those four words. “Service” means listening to our clients and staying fully engaged in helping them meet their needs and goals. That level of care often requires personal sacrifice and total commitment. “Good Work” means more than just quality. It’s about showing up with integrity and taking ownership of every effort, every day.
- What’s your outlook on the industry right now?
  I’m optimistic. There’s a lot of opportunity on the horizon. According to ACEC, demand for A/E services is expected to remain strong over the next five years, especially in public infrastructure and Department of Defense work. We’re also seeing continued growth in industrial manufacturing and distribution facility development. With the team we have in place, I believe we’re well-positioned for a busy and exciting few years ahead.

As we move forward with this leadership team in place, we’re energized by the possibilities ahead. These conversations are just a glimpse into the values, vision, and care that will shape our next chapter.

We’re proud of where we’ve been, and we’re ready to build what’s next.

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