William Vaughan, PE

Bill brings 41 years of leadership and mergers and acquisitions experience within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Throughout his career, he has played key roles as both a co-founder and senior executive, successfully guiding multiple firms through growth, acquisition, and integration. His background provides a rare combination of entrepreneurial insight and large-firm operational experience, allowing him to advise clients from both sides of a transaction.

Mr. Vaughan has recently served as a Senior M&A Advisor and previously, he held senior leadership roles at Waggoner Engineering, Inc., including Vice President, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer, where he served as the primary advisor to the CEO during the firm’s sale to Trilon Group. He also led the integration of firms acquired by Waggoner. Earlier in his career, he co-founded and co-led Applied Engineering & Science, LLC and Southeast Engineering & Consulting, LLC (later Strada), serving as negotiations lead in both transactions that resulted in successful acquisitions. He also spent 12 years at Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., where he served as Operations and Program Manager through its acquisition by Arcadis, and 15 years at ATC, Inc., later acquired by Roy F. Weston, Inc., in program management and client services leadership roles.

A licensed Professional Engineer, Mr. Vaughan’s experience spans firm founding, executive management, transaction negotiation, and post-acquisition integration. Having been directly involved in multiple firm sales—both as a seller and as an acquiring firm executive—he offers clients a deeply practical perspective on navigating complex M&A processes, managing change, and maximizing long-term value within the AEC industry.