This year, CEC St. Louis is celebrating 25 years of growth, collaboration, and service to the St. Louis community. Founded in 2001, the St. Louis office has grown from its early beginnings into a multidisciplinary team serving clients across the real estate, mining, manufacturing, solid waste, public sector, and power markets. Today, the office brings together professionals in air quality, civil engineering, ecological sciences, environmental engineering and sciences, manufacturing infrastructure, survey/geospatial services, waste management, and water resources.
Growing with the St. Louis community
Over the past 25 years, CEC St. Louis has continued to expand its services and capabilities to meet the needs of its clients. A significant addition came in 2022, when CEC expanded its survey/geospatial capabilities through the acquisition of Pickett, Ray & Silver, Inc. The Pickett, Ray & Silver team joined CEC’s existing St. Louis office, adding another area of expertise to an already growing multidisciplinary team.
The office has also continued to grow its presence in the St. Louis area. In 2020, CEC St. Louis moved to a larger location to better serve our clients in the area. Just five years later, continued growth led to another move, this time to the Streets of St. Charles. The new full-service office opened in May 2025, providing additional space for the growing team and convenient access to restaurants, retail, and other amenities.
“When I started as the sole ecology practitioner in the St. Louis office, I really needed mentorship and guidance from others. One of the great things about CEC is that we have so many ecologists in the practice, and I was able to reach out to other offices to get that mentorship that I needed to develop into being a full consultant and technical expert. I could get a lot of support from senior project managers to really help me grow into the role.”
– Katie Astroth, St. Louis Operations Lead
The office’s growth has also created opportunities for employees to grow alongside it. Katie Astroth, P.W.S., has seen that development firsthand since joining CEC 10 years ago. As she has described it, when she started, she was the sole ecology practitioner in the St. Louis office. CEC’s broader ecology practice provided mentorship and support from colleagues in other offices, helping her develop as a consultant and technical expert. Katie now serves as a Principal and the St. Louis Operations Lead.
Leadership through the years
Leadership has played an important role in shaping CEC St. Louis over the past 25 years.
Kevin Kamp, P.E., has been an important part of that history. With nearly 20 years at CEC, Kevin formerly served as the St. Louis Operations Lead and helped guide the office through several years of growth and expansion. In 2025, he transitioned into the role of Regional Vice President of Operations, where he continues to support the St. Louis office along with CEC’s Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oklahoma City operations.
Katie Astroth took over as St. Louis Operations Lead in April 2025. Her experience within the office and CEC’s broader ecology practice reflects the opportunities that come with building a career at CEC. Her leadership continues to build on the success and momentum of the St. Louis team.
A multidisciplinary team with a personal touch
While the office has grown considerably since 2001, its culture has remained rooted in collaboration and personal connections. CEC St. Louis describes its culture as supportive, with a small-firm feel that brings together experienced consultants and younger professionals who mentor, collaborate, and learn from one another.
That spirit extends beyond the workplace. The St. Louis team regularly gathers for activities including potluck lunches, their annual chili cook-off, St. Louis Cardinals games with clients, and more. Employees also give back to the community through food drives for the St. Louis Area Food Bank, holiday giving programs, support for local high schools, mentoring events for high school engineering students, and wetland stream cleanups. Community involvement has become a meaningful part of the office’s identity.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years
From its founding in 2001 to its continued growth today, CEC St. Louis has built its reputation on technical expertise, responsive service, and strong relationships with clients and the communities it serves.
The office’s 25th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the people who have helped shape that history, from those who established our St. Louis operations to the team members and leaders who have continued to expand its capabilities. With a growing multidisciplinary team, a new office environment, and strong connections throughout the region, CEC St. Louis is looking ahead to its next 25 years, excited for what’s ahead while building on all that has come before.
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