Ashley L. Sullivan
Springfield, MA – O’Reilly Talbot & Okun Associates, Inc. (OTO) announced that Ashley L. Sullivan, PE has been elected as president, effective January 2020. OTO is a 25-year-old specialty geoenvironmental engineering consulting firm headquartered in Springfield.
Sullivan started with OTO in 2000 and has 20 years of experience designing geotechnical systems. Since the beginning of her career, she has been instrumental in growing and developing business in the geotechnical and construction services of the company. Her focus has always been on providing value to projects and clients, giving consideration to disciplines other than her specialty.
Prior to this position, Sullivan was a key mentor to junior staff and advisor to upper management. She’s been an influencer on OTO’s marketing, work culture and business development, which led to the nomination of the leadership role. She promotes the development of staff and encourages lifelong learning, as well as bringing in professional guidance in areas such as finance, law, and leadership. “It’s key to have yourself surrounded with an amazing network of smart people, and that is what OTO does best,” said Sullivan.
Through 2019, Sullivan helped guide the business through an internal transition that set the framework for OTO to become a generational organization. The spirit of the transition includes a transfer of knowledge and experience from the founding principals, as well as mentoring and support of the next generation. In addition, the new management group is putting a new spin to company values – transparency, respect, and teamwork – and creating a culture of trust, flexibility and growth.
“OTO is a wonderful organization and I get to work with amazing people every day,” said Sullivan. “Many clients are considered friends, and I love being part of a team both inside and outside the company. OTO provides great service to projects that positively impact our community or communities just like ours, and that is very important to me.”
Sullivan also instructs the civil engineering capstone design course at Western New England University. In this role, she guides graduating students through a mock building project where many of her peers join her in presenting practical technical knowledge, writing skills, and soft skills training.
