About Us

Our culture of quality and service is inherent in every type of power industry engagement and service we offer.

  • Newsworthy

    Learn more about what we’re doing in the industry, as well as read the latest publications and news releases.

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  • Technical Expertise

    Our technical specialists are industry leaders in code committees and all aspects of leading-edge technical issues.

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  • Company History

    For 130+ years, we’ve provided leadership and quality services for complex power generation and transmission projects.

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  • Global Capabilities

    Our full range of services is available globally with specific knowledge and project experience in more than 100 countries.

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  • Core Values

    Our integrity, ethics, and professionalism are tightly woven into who we are and the quality of work we produce every day.

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  • Community Involvement

    We strive to connect with our local communities through volunteer programs, good corporate citizenship, and by assisting those in need.

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Leadership banner
  • Victor Suchodolski

    Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

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    Vic Suchodolski took over the leadership of Sargent & Lundy in January 2023, having served previously as the executive vice president of Sargent & Lundy’s electrical grid infrastructure services, and senior vice president & project director.

    Suchodolski joined Sargent & Lundy in 1997 as an electrical project engineer and held roles of increasing levels of responsibility in power plant and electrical grid design, engineering, and project management. Early in his career at the firm, Suchodolski supported Sargent & Lundy’s nuclear power business through multi-disciplined project work including power uprate, security, and reliability-focused modifications. He also served as the responsible engineer for the electrical design on simple cycle peaker unit projects for the firm’s energy and industrial projects.

    During Suchodolski’s tenure as a project director, he was responsible for managing relationships with a diverse client base who teamed with Sargent & Lundy in pursuit of projects in the transmission, distribution, substation, renewable energy, and nuclear power space. In 2011, he was promoted to senior vice president with oversight of both power delivery and nuclear power projects. During that period, he managed the firm’s regional offices in Wilmington, Delaware, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. More recently, he was responsible for the firm opening and expanding offices in New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Puerto Rico.

    In his role as executive vice president, Suchodolski was responsible for the overall management of the firm’s efforts related to power transmission and distribution, substation design, battery energy storage, renewable interconnects, and grid modernization.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • Board of Directors Nuclear Energy Institute
    • Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers
    • United Way Tocqueville Society

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
    • MBA from Villanova University

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    Licensed Professional Engineer – Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia

  • Chuck Beitel

    Senior Vice President & Director of Energy & Industrial

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    Chuck Beitel is a senior vice president and director of the firm’s non-nuclear power generation, environmental, oil and gas, and industrial services. He is responsible for the overall management of the firm’s projects in conventional power generation; waste-to-energy; air, water, and solid waste environmental management; carbon sequestration; upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas; and multi-discipline industrial projects for both domestic and international clients.

    His career encompasses more than 28 years of experience in the power industry, including engineering and project management for new power plant designs for coal, natural gas combined cycle, hydrogen generation, carbon capture, and several reciprocating internal combustion engine power plants. He has extensive experience with large-scale fossil plant environmental retrofits, including selective catalytic reduction, flue gas desulfurization, dry sorbent injection, mercury control, and a variety of plant betterment services for power and heavy-industrial clients. He has worked as a field engineer on multiple large-scale power generation project construction sites. As a project director, he has responsibility for all technical and commercial aspects of the firm’s relationships and project portfolios with numerous southeastern and midwestern clients.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Lifetime Member
    • Southeastern Construction Owners and Associates Roundtable (SCOAR)
    • University of Missouri Columbia Alumni Associate Lifetime Member

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri Columbia

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Licensed Professional Engineer – Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina, Michigan

  • Thomas Foley

    Senior Vice President & Director of Electric Grid Infrastructure Services

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    Tom Foley is the senior vice president and director of Sargent & Lundy’s electrical grid infrastructure services. In this role, he is responsible for the overall management of the firm’s efforts related to power transmission and distribution, substation design, battery energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable interconnects, and grid modernization.

    Foley joined Sargent & Lundy in 2016 as a vice president and project director, helping the firm’s electric grid infrastructure business more than double its operations throughout the U.S. during his tenure. He has also led Sargent & Lundy’s interface with multiple clients along the East Coast.

    Prior to joining the firm, Foley was the CEO of Altran North America and head of Altran’s global energy practice. He joined Altran in 2002 as part of its acquisition of Stratus Engineering, where he was a minority owner. Earlier in his career, Foley worked for Stone & Webster with assignments in transmission and distribution and large fossil-fueled power plants in addition to a three-year assignment at the PSE&G Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plant site.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • Ohio State University – Nuclear Engineering Board
    • Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce – Business on Board Program
    • United Way Tocqueville Society

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University
    • MBA from Saint Joseph’s University

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    Licensed Professional Engineer – California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia

  • Vince Heinz

    Senior Vice President & Director of Energy Business Consulting

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    Vince Heinz is the senior vice president and director of Sargent & Lundy’s energy consulting business. He is responsible for the overall management and direction of the firm’s domestic and global engagements spanning development planning, independent and owner’s engineering due diligence evaluations, operations and maintenance support for all renewable power, thermal power technologies, and transmission and distribution planning.

    Heinz joined Sargent & Lundy in 2001 as an electrical engineer supporting the firm’s energy and industrial projects and later made the transition to project management supporting transmission and distribution, grid modernization, and renewable power technologies. Heinz is also responsible for the firm’s continued support of the transmission and distribution reconstruction, grid modernization, and transition to renewable energy in Puerto Rico and played a central role helping the firm open two offices on the island.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
    • Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Licensed Professional Engineer – Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico

  • Michael Helminski

    Executive Vice President, Finance & Legal

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    Michael Helminski has more than 38 years of experience at Sargent & Lundy, including more than 10 years as general counsel and five years as chief financial officer. He is responsible for the overall management of the financial and legal areas of the company.

    Previous leadership positions include serving as the firm’s commercial manager. In this position he was responsible for all contracts that the company entered into, including EPC contracts and joint venture agreements. He was also responsible for the business insurance and risk management process.

    Helminski joined Sargent & Lundy in 1982. Early in his career, he was involved in various engineering projects primarily on nuclear power plants.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • Association of Corporate Counsel member
    • Marquette University Engineering Alumni Scholarship Fundraising Supporter
    • Science Olympiad Middle School Event Coach
    • Boy Scouts of America Local Troop

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    • MBA from Loyola University, Chicago
    • JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law – Illinois Institute of Technology

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    Member of the Bar in Illinois and Wisconsin and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • Karen Himmel

    Vice President & Chief Information Officer

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    Karen Himmel is responsible for Sargent & Lundy’s enterprise information technology program. Her role encompasses corporate information technology, computer operations and infrastructure, information security, content management, and leadership of software development teams for both business and engineering applications.

    Himmel joined Sargent & Lundy’s payroll department in 1985 and successfully grew a multi-faceted career at the firm. She worked in multiple areas of finance before transitioning to information technology in 1995 as a software developer. Since then, Himmel has led several large IT solution implementations and upgrades, numerous new software development initiatives, and continuous infrastructure improvements. Himmel manages Sargent & Lundy’s IT budget, projects, and resources. She works closely with colleagues across the company, including the director of engineering and innovation, to strategize, promote, and implement new technologies.

    In 2014, Himmel was promoted to director, vice president, and assistant chief information officer. She was named chief information officer in 2019.

    EDUCATION

    B.S. in Systems Analysis and Design from Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, Indiana

  • Jill Liska

    Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Director of Legal Services

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    Jill Liska is the leader of Sargent & Lundy’s commercial, procurement, and legal teams. Her expertise guides the firm’s successful management of risk, corporate insurance, litigation, contracts, and outside counsel. Her direction of the legal department influences Sargent & Lundy’s overall strategy.

    Liska served as an associate attorney at Robbins Schwartz and an engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation prior to joining Sargent & Lundy’s legal team in 2006. She was promoted to vice president in 2013, at which point she became responsible for the firm’s legal, commercial, and procurement groups. Sargent & Lundy named her a senior vice president in January 2020.

    Liska monitors developing legislation at local, national, and international levels. She develops internal policies and procedures for Sargent & Lundy, including use of intellectual property, unmanned aircraft, and conflicts of interest and ethics. She interprets various domestic and international regulations and license requirements, negotiates leases, supports acquisitions and due diligence efforts on commercial matters, advises HR, and manages the legal team’s budget. Liska, an ardent supporter of diversity issues, played a pivotal role in helping the firm launch an internal professional network for female employees in 2015 and a diversity council in 2020.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    Avenues to Independence Governing Board

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Minnesota
    • MBA from the University of Notre Dame
    • JD from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Licensed Professional Engineer – Minnesota
    • Admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of Illinois and the U.S. Supreme Court

  • Mark Santschi

    Senior Vice President & Director of Operations

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    Mark Santschi is responsible for the overall coordination of Sargent & Lundy’s infrastructure groups, including HR, IT, and all engineering and design tools employed by the company. He provides strategic leadership for Sargent & Lundy’s construction management and electrical analytical services, as well as the firm’s project controls and cost estimating groups. He oversees the engineering process and project controls groups, the firm’s engineering and technical standards, and development of technical staff proficiency to serve the needs of the electric power industry.

    Santschi joined Sargent & Lundy in 1986 and began his career performing I&C engineering activities for nuclear, coal, oil, and gas plant projects. His numerous project experiences include new generation and betterment services for both international and domestic clients and sites. During his tenure as a project director, he was responsible for diverse projects that included environmental retrofit, combustion turbine, and fossil and nuclear plant betterment projects, as well as for multiple client relationships throughout the United States.

    In 2014, Santschi was appointed director of engineering with strategic responsibility over Sargent & Lundy’s engineering knowledge and capabilities infrastructure, and over the firm’s specialty engineering groups. In 2019 he was appointed director of operations.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • ASME Industry Advisory Board
    • ACE Mentor Chicago Board of Directors

    EDUCATION

    B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    Licensed Professional Engineer – Illinois, Michigan

  • Shiven Sulkar

    Senior Vice President & Director of Nuclear Power

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    Shiven Sulkar is a senior vice president with more than 30 years of experience with Sargent & Lundy, focused primarily on nuclear power projects. He is the director of the firm’s nuclear power business and is responsible for the overall management of all nuclear new generation projects and nuclear services work performed by Sargent & Lundy.

    During his tenure as a project director, Sulkar led the firm’s execution of major nuclear projects in both the U.S. and internationally, managing long-term relationships with multiple large clients. His project experience includes international and domestic new generation facilities, major plant upgrades, and major plant restart efforts, including specialized nuclear and related support facilities for the U.S. Department of Energy and its national labs. He was instrumental in developing the firm’s relationship with and supporting the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Sulkar joined Sargent & Lundy in 1991 as an electrical engineer supporting engineering, design, and construction for nuclear power plants.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • American Nuclear Society
    • Nuclear Energy Institute Supplier Advisory Board
    • Nuclear Energy Institute Trade Advisory Sub-Committee
    • Master of Energy Engineering Advisory Council, University of Illinois Chicago
    • United Way Tocqueville Society

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois Chicago

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Licensed Professional Engineer – Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin

  • Dan Weinacht

    Senior Vice President & Director of Government Services

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    Dan Weinacht manages Sargent & Lundy’s business efforts in public sector energy, defense, and environmental markets. With his oversight, the firm provides advanced technology solutions to these clients.

    Weinacht is responsible for the firm’s government services business, which includes engineering and environmental management and national security operations services. Core competencies for this portion of the business include engineering and design; facility operations, management, and maintenance; specialty equipment design; project management; and safety, security, and risk management.

    Weinacht joined Sargent & Lundy in January 2019 as part of the ARES acquisition. Prior to joining Sargent & Lundy, he was employed at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 14 years and ARES Corporation for over 20 years as a mechanical engineer, project manager, and executive manager. His experience includes programs and projects across the Department of Energy Complex, Department of Defense, NASA, and the nuclear power industry.

    INDUSTRY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

    • ABET Engineering Accreditation Commissioner (EAC) and Member of EAC Executive Committee
    • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
    • United Way Tocqueville Society

    EDUCATION

    • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
    • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Licensed Professional Engineer – Alabama, California, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington
    • Certified Project Management Professional

  • Meghan Wilhelm

    Vice President, Human Resources

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    Meghan Wilhelm leads Sargent & Lundy’s human resources division. She oversees all HR functions at the firm, including talent management, benefits, compensation, and compliance with equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and privacy laws. Additionally, she manages Sargent & Lundy’s employee concerns program.

    Wilhelm joined the firm in 2005 as human resources generalist and advanced her career by supporting the business’ hiring and recruiting needs. She went on to assume responsibility for managing employee leaves of absence/FMLA and led HR’s implementation of an enterprise resource planning system. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in Sargent & Lundy’s historic acquisitions, as well as employee audits and claims, and international human resource management – all of which have helped the firm reach new heights in improving every stage of the employee lifecycle.

    Wilhelm was promoted to lead the firm’s human resources team In August 2021. She currently serves on Sargent & Lundy’s Safety Council and Nuclear Safety Culture Council.

    EDUCATION

    B.S. in Public Affairs; Major – Management from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

    PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

    • Professional in Human Resources – Human Resources Certification Institute
    • Society for Human Resources Certified Professional