SCS appoints 2 national market leaders

Mike Miller succeeds Mike McLaughlin, while Dan Cooper succeeds Bob Gardner.

Mike Miller and Dan Cooper
National market leaders Mike Miller and Dan Cooper.
Photo courtesy of SCS Engineers

SCS Engineers, based in Long Beach, California, has appointed two new national market leaders, set to take effect in early 2025. The appointments follow the announcement of its new executive leadership team in January.  

Mike Miller will lead the environmental services (ES) practice, succeeding Mike McLaughlin.  

Miller has been with SCS for nearly 20 years, serving in various roles across the company. Most of his responsibilities have been with the central business unit, where he served as the environmental services (ES) leader and led the Omaha and Des Moines offices. He also has served SCS as one of the national experts for environmental due diligence. Miller is a project director and was appointed as senior vice president in November 2023. He will oversee the company's ES market's strategic direction, growth and performance. 

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Dan Cooper will lead SCS's solid waste practice, succeeding Bob Gardner. Cooper joined SCS in 2005 and has been part of the southeast business unit, most recently serving as its solid waste leader.

Under Cooper, the Southeast solid waste practice has grown more than 70 percent since 2019. He is an engineer in several states and serves SCS as a project director and vice president.

Cooper, newly elected to the Solid Waste Association of North America’s board of directors, is the region five director for Florida and the Caribbean.

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Cooper will focus his efforts on the strategy, growth and performance of the solid waste market for SCS with a heavy focus on enhancing the company’s One SCS approach to serving clients.

According to SCS, employee-owners and clients are grateful to Mike McLaughlin and Bob Gardner, who have been instrumental in guiding the firm to its current success. Their dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on the organization, and SCS extends a heartfelt gratitude for their years of service, the company says.

For the remainder of the year, Miller will work closely with McLaughlin, who was appointed the firm's first corporate ES leader in 1993, following SCS's adoption of a new strategic plan. McLaughlin, who previously served as the director of the Mid-Atlantic business unit. will continue to serve SCS in various capacities beyond 2024 as he plans to continue working full-time after the transition.

As the ES leader, McLaughlin helped business units find resources from across the company to solve client challenges. In 1997, he established the SCS's National Partner/National Expert subject matter expert roles.

The company says McLaughlin identified industrial trends and positioned SCS to be successful as the firm's services evolved over the years. He has been a key technical resource and a valued member of the SCS executive team, serving in numerous capacities, including senior vice president, board member and corporate secretary.

Gardner will serve in the solid waste practice for the remainder of the year while transitioning the role to Cooper. Gardner assumed the position from Jim Walsh when Walsh was named SCS president in 2002. He has provided tremendous leadership and guidance for the past 22 years, the company says.

Prior to being Solid Waste leader, Gardner established and led the southeast business unit and has served in many capacities, including senior vice president and board member.

Gardner will work with Cooper for the remainder of 2024 to transition his role. Beginning in 2025, Gardner will transition to a part-time role but continue to be an asset for SCS, specifically within the solid waste due diligence.