# Alyson Watson

> Alyson Watson is the CEO and Chair of the Board of Woodard & Curran, a Portland, Maine-based integrated science, engineering, design-build, and operations firm specializing in water and environmental challenges. A Stanford-trained chemical engineer and licensed PE, she became the firm's third CEO in 2021 — and its first woman to hold that title — after more than 20 years leading water resources projects and building environmental consulting teams across the western United States. A self-described 'water brat' with roots in the industry, Watson is a passionate advocate for clean water access, outcome-based contracting, and employee ownership, guiding a firm of 1,300 people across 27 offices nationwide.

- **Role:** CEO & Chair of the Board at Woodard & Curran
- **Organizations:** Woodard & Curran, ACEC Research Institute, Mark Thomas & Co., American Water Works Association
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Master of Science, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University
- **Known for:** First woman CEO in Woodard & Curran's 41-year history, Led Woodard & Curran to expand to 1,300 employees across 27 offices and 50+ operations sites, Grew RMC Water and Environment before successfully leading its acquisition integration into Woodard & Curran

## Career timeline

- **Early 2000s** — Application Developer at Accenture, delivering technology consulting for public services systems
- **Mid 2000s** — Environmental Engineer at CDM Smith, performing water resources planning and design project management
- **2008-2014** — Held multiple roles at RMC Water and Environment: Project Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Director
- **2015** — Became President and CEO of RMC Water and Environment in January 2015, succeeding Randy Raines
- **2016** — Joined Woodard & Curran following its acquisition of RMC Water and Environment; led the Municipal West strategic business unit
- **2018** — Elected to Woodard & Curran's Board of Directors; chaired the Governance & Nomination Committee
- **2021** — Became CEO of Woodard & Curran on January 1, 2021 — the firm's third CEO in 41 years and its first woman in the role
- **2022** — Joined the ACEC Research Institute Board of Directors
- **2022-present** — Serves as Board Director and ESOP Trustee for Mark Thomas & Co., a California transportation engineering firm
- **2025** — Published articles on private/employee ownership model and its importance to Woodard & Curran's culture and mission

## Achievements

- First woman CEO in Woodard & Curran's 41-year history
- Led Woodard & Curran to expand to 1,300 employees across 27 offices and 50+ operations sites
- Grew RMC Water and Environment before successfully leading its acquisition integration into Woodard & Curran
- Elected to the ACEC Research Institute Board of Directors in 2022
- Serves as ESOP Trustee for Mark Thomas & Co., championing employee-ownership culture
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
- Accomplished competitive triathlete
- Led the firm's Municipal West business unit through multiple California offices

## Latest updates

- **2025-07** — Published 'Private Ownership Is Essential to Woodard & Curran' — an essay on the employee-ownership model and its centrality to the firm's values.
- **2025-02** — Published 'Why Private Ownership Matters' on the Woodard & Curran blog, reinforcing the firm's ESOP philosophy.
- **2024-05** — Published article on the Frank Woodard Leadership through Innovation Award, recognizing employees who pursue passion projects at Woodard & Curran.
- **2024-04** — Published 'What Flexible Work Means to Our People,' discussing flexible workplace culture at Woodard & Curran.
- **2023-02** — Featured on the Menkus & Associates podcast discussing organizational purpose and strategy development under uncertainty.

## Links

- Website: https://woodardcurran.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alysonbwatson

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/alyson-watson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-13