Burke B. Murph III, PE, MBA
Managing Principal
Burke is the Managing Principal of GWES with over 20 years of experience delivering complex water, wastewater, and stormwater projects across Georgia. He provides strategic vision and executive oversight, ensuring that every project meets the highest technical and regulatory standards. Over his career, Burke has guided hundreds of millions of dollars in municipal infrastructure programs, helping communities plan, fund, and build long-term solutions that improve capacity, resiliency, and service reliability. His ability to combine technical expertise with client advocacy makes him a trusted advisor for cities and utilities throughout the state.
Matt Taylor, PE, MSCE, MBA
Senior Principal
Matt is a Senior Principal with more than 30 years of diverse experience in engineering, construction, and municipal management. His career includes roles as a general contractor, city engineer, wastewater operator, and consultant, giving him unmatched perspective on project delivery. At GWES, he provides senior-level QA/QC oversight, ensuring every project meets the highest standards of accuracy, constructability, and compliance. Matt’s leadership in master planning, utility design, and program management has helped municipalities implement practical, cost-effective solutions that stand the test of time.
Michael Griffore
Operations Leader
Mike is GWES’s Operations Leader and a seasoned civil designer with nearly 30 years of experience. He has played a central role in the design of treatment facilities, linear utilities, and large-scale site development projects across Georgia. Mike oversees firm-wide operations, bringing expertise in CAD, design coordination, and project delivery to ensure accuracy, constructability, and efficiency in every phase of work. His leadership in operations supports the seamless execution of projects, helping clients achieve reliable and cost-effective infrastructure improvements.
Barrett Neal, MBA
Business Leader
Barrett is the Business Leader of GWES with nearly 20 years of experience in business strategy, municipal partnerships, and infrastructure delivery. He directs the firm’s growth, client engagement, and financial operations while working closely with technical leaders to align services with community needs. Barrett’s experience spans stormwater management, utility planning, and municipal program development, giving him a unique ability to bridge business insight with technical understanding. His leadership ensures that GWES remains a trusted partner to cities and counties across Georgia.
Ben Pierce, PE, PTOE
Transportation Leader
Ben serves as GWES’s Transportation Leader and brings over two decades of experience in transportation engineering and municipal infrastructure. He directs roadway, traffic, and drainage projects that improve safety, mobility, and resiliency for growing communities. Ben’s background in both public works and consulting allows him to bridge municipal needs with innovative engineering solutions. From major drainage upgrades to traffic operations planning, he leads transportation initiatives that support economic development and community growth.
Claire Swaim, PE
Infrastructure Leader
Claire serves as GWES’s Infrastructure Leader and brings more than 20 years of experience in water and wastewater system design, permitting, and construction administration. She has managed the delivery of large-diameter transmission mains, storage systems, and treatment facility upgrades that strengthen utility reliability and expand capacity. Claire is known for her collaborative approach and technical precision, ensuring that projects are designed to meet regulatory requirements while supporting long-term growth. Her leadership helps municipalities implement infrastructure improvements that serve communities for decades to come.
Cohen Carpenter, MSBio
Environmental Leader
Cohen leads GWES’s environmental practice with over a decade of experience in environmental permitting, watershed planning, and regulatory compliance. He specializes in guiding municipalities through stream and wetland permitting, watershed protection planning, and coordination with state and federal agencies. Cohen integrates environmental stewardship with infrastructure design, helping communities achieve compliance while protecting valuable natural resources. His leadership ensures that GWES delivers solutions that are sustainable, practical, and aligned with long-term community goals.
Bill Jones
Senior Construction Manager
Bill is GWES’s Senior Construction Manager with more than 35 years of experience in water, wastewater, and civil infrastructure construction. He is known for his hands-on approach to field leadership, contractor coordination, and quality control. Bill has overseen the successful delivery of treatment facilities, pump stations, gravity sewer extensions, and stormwater improvements across Georgia. His deep knowledge of regulatory and safety requirements, coupled with his real-time problem-solving ability, ensures that projects are built efficiently, safely, and to specification.
Andrew Aldridge, PE
Senior Engineer
Andrew is a Senior Engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in water and wastewater design, permitting, and infrastructure rehabilitation. He has led efforts in treatment plant upgrades, pump station improvements, and utility system planning, with specialized expertise in facility decommissioning and compliance strategy. Andrew provides technical leadership and design oversight that helps municipalities modernize aging systems, maintain regulatory compliance, and prepare for sustainable long-term growth.
