Sepi Saidi, PE

Chief Executive Officer

Sepi is a visionary leader who founded SEPI in 2001 and has led the company to become a premier multi-disciplinary firm focused on exploring complex challenges for today’s built environment.

Prior to forming SEPI, she spent over 16 years in the field of transportation engineering design and management. Her current daily responsibilities include overseeing the firm’s projects across the Southeast, financial and administrative management, business development, and inspiring/motivating staff.

Sepi is passionate about giving back to the community and is currently serving, or has served, on the following:

FMI – Board of Directors
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority – Board of Directors Secretary
NC Chamber of Commerce – Executive Board 1st Vice Chair
North Carolina State Banking Commission – Board Member appointed by Governor Cooper, 2017
Dogwood State Bank – Board of Directors
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond – Charlotte Board of Directors
Duke Raleigh Hospital – Past Board Chair 2018-2020
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce – Past Board Chair 2009-2010

Her recent professional awards include:
Business Person of the Year, Triangle Business Journal – 2018
North Carolina Business Hall of Fame Laureate, Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas – 2016
Outstanding Alumni Award, NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) – 2016
Top 20 CEOs of the Year, Triangle Business Journal – 2015

Sepi holds a BS in Civil Engineering and a BS in Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University and is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

Nick Ellis, CMA

President

As President Nick leads financial and operational strategy and performance across all practice areas within the organization, in close collaboration with Steve Thomas – SVP/Chief Operating Officer and Rick Edwards – SVP/Chief Financial Officer.  Nick  develops, implements, and executes short and long term actionable strategies to improve operations, develop markets, grow revenue, improve profitability, and improve relevant key performance indicators while supporting the culture of the firm.

Nick previously served as the Raleigh/Durham Managing Director of Savills, a 160-year-old leading commercial real estate service firm. An expert in his field for over 25 years, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge in local and national market research, financial forecasting and modeling, commercial real estate transaction management, and lease negotiations.

Prior to joining Savills in 2016, Nick was employed by Kimley-Horn and Associates for 21 years where he served in various capacities. During his tenure, the firm experienced significant growth in geographic and market expansion. Nick served as a principal and senior vice president for 15 years, 13 of which he was Chief Financial Officer and treasurer.

Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from UNC Chapel Hill. In addition, he is a licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker and a Certified Management Accountant.

Jennifer B. Allen

SVP | Chief Strategy Officer

As SEPI’s Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Jennifer Allen drives the company’s positioning, brand and creative strategy, client development and insights, communications and corporate citizenship.  She champions SEPI’s client and community experience to deliver projects and partnerships anchored in purpose that will have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Prior to joining SEPI in 2018, Allen served as Executive Associate of Marketing and Business Development at CBRE | Heery. At CBRE | Heery, Allen built regional demand for the brand among clients and partners across the Southeastern US and led transformational communications and brand strategy programs.  She also served as Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects Triangle Chapter and founded Pursuit Inc. a consultancy for AEC principals and owners who want to drive growth and brand awareness to capture additional market share.

Allen holds a B.A. in English from North Carolina State University and serves on the boards of SEPI, Inc., Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Dogwood State Bank, State Capitol Foundation, and YMCA of the Triangle. She is an active participant in Leadership North Carolina Class of XXIX.

Rick Edwards, CGMA

SVP | Chief Financial Officer

Rick has over 35 years of financial and management experience. His areas of expertise include processes and procedures, compliance, managing core financial activities, and implementing accounting best practices. He is also knowledgeable about mergers and acquisitions, equity raising, IPO & SEC, and e-commerce.

Before joining SEPI, Rick served as CFO for Trust Atlantic Bank, as well as other well-known local financial institutions including over 12 years at Bank of America and 10 years with Ernest & Young.

Rick holds a BS in Accountancy from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and passed the CPA exam. He is a member of the AICPA and Board of Directors-Beacon Title Agency. Rick also served on the Board of Directors/Chair Audit Committee-Hemagen Diagnostics, Inc. from 2003-2009.

Steve Thomas, PE

SVP | Chief Operating Officer

Steve has worked in all areas of transportation engineering since 1984. His depth of experience spans transportation expertise in roadway and bridge design, traffic operations analysis and engineering, environmental impact studies, and assessments to air and noise analysis. Having worked extensively with public and private sector clients across the Southeast, Steve is familiar with providing transportation solutions to improve safety and accessibility in both urban and rural areas.

Steve is responsible for operational performance at SEPI, working with senior management to maximize long-term growth through identification of strategic teaming partners, new and expanding markets and service lines, and acquisition candidates.

Steve holds a Master of Civil Engineering and a BS in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University and is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

Steve Moore, PE

SVP | Director of Growth + Development

Steve is a senior transportation leader with over 36 years of civil engineering experience including management of multi-million dollar, high-profile Federally-funded projects. He has served in numerous multi-disciplinary technical and managerial capacities through his 15 years of service with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and over 18 years of successful private-sector consultant work.

Steve brings comprehensive experience in the development of highways, bridges, water resources, and permitting improvements to interstate interchanges and mainline toll segments, as well as improvements to state highway systems, international airports, and rail transit including Amtrak, CSX, and Tri-Rail.

His specialties include NEPA, preliminary engineering, value engineering studies, and final design services. He has senior experience in Federal and state DOT programs, especially in the areas of work program and capital plan development, budgeting, and process efficiencies.

Steve is part of the SEPI Executive Leadership Team and tasked with developing and executing strategic initiatives focused on the Operational Excellence Pillar of SEPI’s Vision 2021 plan. This includes company Growth + Development initiatives such as internal training and employee recruitment.

Steve holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a BS in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Mariah Agsten, MSHR, PHR

VP | Associate | HR Manager

Ladd Gibson, PE, ASSOC DBIA

VP | SC Director

As South Carolina Director, Ladd leads our expanding presence across the state. He is integral in establishing SEPI as a full-service engineering consulting firm in South Carolina by executing strategic initiatives in conjunction with SEPI VISION 2021 to achieve the company’s organizational goals, mission, and vision.

Ladd contributes a stellar 28-year history, most recently serving as Program Director for Mega Projects for the SC Department of Transportation. He knows what it takes to build successful teams and deliver quality, complex infrastructure projects including his oversight on the Carolina Crossroads I-20/26/126 Corridor Improvement Project during his time at SC Department of Transportation.

Ladd holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University and has held numerous leadership positions within both the North Carolina and South Carolina Departments of Transportation during his career. He is also certified as an Associate Design-Build Professional with the Design-Build Institute of America.