Apex is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Zecchini as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO). Keith brings more than 30 years of global technology leadership in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. He has held senior roles at global consultancies where he led enterprise-wide digital transformations, M&A technology integrations, and innovation programs across complex organizations.

At Apex, Keith will lead the development and execution of our technology and innovation strategy to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock value from our proprietary data and systems. His responsibilities include modernizing IT infrastructure, driving AI-powered process automation, enabling digital field operations, and overseeing our ERP transformation. He will also play a key role in integrating technology across newly acquired businesses and fostering a culture of collaborative innovation.

Keith currently lives outside of Princeton, NJ, though he’s spent the last two decades working across the globe—including London, Oslo, Montreal, Calgary, and Singapore. He still proudly calls Pittsburgh “home” and remains a devoted fan of the Penguins, Steelers, and (long-suffering) Pirates. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with their two college-age daughters. Keith’s global perspective and deep experience in aligning technology with business outcomes will be instrumental in positioning Apex for long-term success.

About Apex Companies, LLC
Established in 1988, Apex is a national multidisciplinary consulting and engineering services firm with a robust portfolio of capabilities in water, environmental, health and safety, construction management, transportation, compliance and assurance, survey, and infrastructure. Rated #12 as an ENR All-Environmental firm and #58 in the top 200 overall, the firm is known for its technical expertise, rapid response, operational integrity, and exceptional client satisfaction. Apex operates in all fifty states and maintains a highly capable and diverse team of engineers, planners, scientists, geologists, health and safety experts, ESG consultants, surveyors, and field technicians.

Apex Companies is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Newton as Controller. Jessica brings over 20 years of accounting and finance experience across public and private companies, including more than a decade in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.

In her role, Jessica oversees all aspects of financial operations, including general ledger accounting, financial reporting, treasury, planning and analysis, and regulatory compliance. She has also led critical initiatives such as ERP system migrations and the integration of acquired finance teams—driving efficiency and alignment across complex organizations.

Jessica began her career in public accounting and has since held senior leadership roles in both global enterprises and privately held firms. She is widely respected for building cross-functional partnerships, mentoring with empathy, and fostering a collaborative culture rooted in the belief that people are a company’s greatest asset.

Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. She is based in Denver, Colorado, where she enjoys outdoor activities, running, golfing, baking, and spending time with her husband and two children.

About Apex Companies, LLC
Established in 1988, Apex is a national multidisciplinary consulting and engineering services firm with a robust portfolio of capabilities in water, environmental, health and safety, construction management, transportation, compliance and assurance, survey, and infrastructure. Rated #12 as an ENR All-Environmental firm and #58 in the top 200 overall, the firm is known for its technical expertise, rapid response, operational integrity, and exceptional client satisfaction. Apex operates in all fifty states and maintains a highly capable and diverse team of engineers, planners, scientists, geologists, health and safety experts, ESG consultants, surveyors, and field technicians.

Apex Companies is excited to welcome Brooke Bonkoski, PE, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this key leadership role, Brooke partners with our CEO to drive strategic operational initiatives, enhance performance, and support long-term value creation across the organization.

Brooke brings more than 25 years of experience in engineering and management, with a career dedicated to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges in the natural and built environment. A growth-oriented leader, she believes in authentic and accountable leadership that fosters both individual and collective success.

Her impressive track record includes serving as president of a major North American P&L, board member, and executive sponsor for Fortune 500 clients. She has led high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in environmental consulting, resilience planning, sustainability, and the energy transition—demonstrating a strong ability to align strategy with execution.

Brooke lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children. Outside of work, she enjoys biking, skiing, trips to the Oregon Coast, and cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers.

About Apex Companies, LLC
Established in 1988, Apex is a national multidisciplinary consulting and engineering services firm with a robust portfolio of capabilities in water, environmental, health and safety, construction management, transportation, compliance and assurance, survey, and infrastructure. Rated #12 as an ENR All-Environmental firm and #58 in the top 200 overall, the firm is known for its technical expertise, rapid response, operational integrity, and exceptional client satisfaction. Apex operates in all fifty states and maintains a highly capable and diverse team of engineers, planners, scientists, geologists, health and safety experts, ESG consultants, surveyors, and field technicians.

Apex Companies, LLC is proud to announce the appointment of Shawn Doherty as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Shawn brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental and sustainability consulting, with a career that spans from field hydrogeologist to trusted C-suite advisor. He has deep expertise in ESG advisory across key sectors including oil and gas, power, chemical, and mining.

A former track and field athlete, Shawn applies the same competitive spirit and discipline to his professional pursuits. He has led successful high-growth initiatives across multiple continents, managed business turnarounds, and guided organizations through complex transitions. Career highlights include developing a global commercial strategy that nearly doubled top-line revenue and leading digital transformation initiatives, including the development of a market-leading EMIS implementation service line.

Known for his customer-centric leadership style and focus on innovation, Shawn empowers teams to drive results and embrace continuous improvement. He is committed to preserving Apex’s agile, entrepreneurial culture while advancing sustainable growth and long-term value in today’s evolving ESG landscape.

Shawn holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Texas Christian University, an M.S. in Earth and Space Science from UCLA, and an Advanced Management Program certification from The Wharton School. He also serves on the board of LVTRise, a nonprofit in Fort Worth, Texas, following its integration with a nonprofit he co-founded in 2017.

Shawn and his wife, Kelli, reside in Texas with their boxer, Ruby, and enjoy spending time with their son and young family.

About Apex Companies, LLC
Established in 1988, Apex is a national multidisciplinary consulting and engineering services firm with a robust portfolio of capabilities in water, environmental, health and safety, construction management, transportation, compliance and assurance, survey, and infrastructure. Rated #12 as an ENR All-Environmental firm and #58 in the top 200 overall, the firm is known for its technical expertise, rapid response, operational integrity, and exceptional client satisfaction. Apex operates in all fifty states and maintains a highly capable and diverse team of engineers, planners, scientists, geologists, health and safety experts, ESG consultants, surveyors, and field technicians.

Environment Analyst launched the Sustainability Consulting Awards to recognize ESG innovation, achievement and leadership, and celebrate consultancies who have made significant advances in both their own, and their clients’, sustainable transformation.

The Environment Analyst-led, independent judging panel includes industry experts and analysts, and is headed by Environment Analyst’s Managing Director Ross Griffiths and Cofounder and Director Liz Trew.

Apex is shortlisted for the 2023 ESG Innovation Award for ARTEMIS® ESG.

This year’s winners will be announced at the Sustainability Consulting Awards Ceremony on June 27, 2023 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

During the holidays, Apex Companies looks for input from across our organization on worthy causes to support through our annual charitable contribution campaign. This year we are excited to support five very worthy causes, which collectively reflect Apex’s core values, and align with our company mission of supporting the natural and built environment through engineering excellence, environmental solutions, and the shaping of a safe, sustainable, and equitable future. These five charities are Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), Girls Who Code, Habitat for Humanity, Duck Cup Memorial, and Tamarack Wildlife Center.

Happy Holidays from Apex!

A Nod to Apex in WSJ’s Recent Piece on Climate Data Verification Providers

When the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its proposed rule to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures for investors in March 2022, Apex Companies was both excited, and ready to offer comments to support our position as a leading provider of ESG verification and assurance services. As a firm whose mission is to help shape a safe, sustainable, and equitable future for our communities, colleagues, and clients, we are in full support with this added transparency and appreciate how quality data will help investors make better financial decisions. When it comes to who can and should verify this data however, we think there is enough work to go around for both the “Big Four” in accounting, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY), and for consulting firms like Apex and our peers.

In his recent CFO Journal article, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Mark Maurer examines the perceived conflict between consulting firms and traditional financial accounting firms as it relates to the verification of sustainability and ESG data. The financial firms have claimed that non-accounting firms are not sufficiently qualified, while firms like Apex maintain that a consultant’s scientific background, combined with relevant skills, training, and technical expertise provide the requisite qualifications to provide these services.

We hope that the SEC agrees. Since the initial 30-day public comment period was extended from May 20, 2022, to June 17, 2022, over 10,000 letters have been received. We took a quick look at some other recently proposed SEC guidance, and saw comments in the hundreds, not thousands; clearly there are many parties who have stake in this topic.

Until the bakers are done deciding what goes into the pie, and who gets a slice, we will continue to advocate that publicly-traded organizations deserve a choice, and that there is enough pie to go around.