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CTL Engineering Names New Leadership Team: Hassan Zahran as CEO, Joe Warino as COO, Paul Mattox as CGO

As CTL Engineering approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, a new leadership team is poised to both honor the company’s legacy while driving it toward ambitious new growth.

After an extraordinary tenure of 45 years as CEO, CK Satyapriya is stepping down, marking the end of an era for the firm. Hassan Zahran, who has been with CTL since 2016 and has served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2020, will succeed Satyapriya as CEO. Joe Warino will join his leadership team as COO and Paul Mattox as CGO.

A primary objective of the new leadership team will be to maintain the firm’s core values and provide stability throughout the transition while also continuing the firm’s trajectory of growth and innovation.

Hassan Zahran: From COO to CEO

Hassan Zahran’s promotion to CEO comes after nearly a decade with CTL Engineering and four decades in the industry, during which he has demonstrated a passion for growth, innovation, and relationship-building. After graduating from Youngstown State University with a civil engineering degree, Zahran’s career began at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), where he spent over 22 years. He later became the City Engineer for Columbus, overseeing key projects that reshaped the city’s infrastructure. Zahran’s leadership experience in both the public and private sectors has equipped him with a well-rounded understanding of engineering, business development, and operations.

According to Satyapriya, Zahran’s impact on CTL has been significant. When he joined the company in 2016, CTL’s services in the construction field were limited primarily to construction materials testing. But Zahran helped shift the mentality of CTL as a subconsultant to one of a prime consultant, ready and able to lead projects. Because of that shift in mentality, Zahran was able to grow not only the construction services division, but other departments as well.

“Hassan transformed the culture of our organization. He helped us move away from the commoditization of our services. That shift has been instrumental in our growth,” said CK Satyapriya.

Known for his outgoing personality and commitment to relationships, Satyapriya also said Zahran has brought a dynamism to the last nine years at CTL that he hasn’t ever observed in anyone else, allowing him to make a number of strategic recruitments to build the CTL team.

“One thing he always says is ‘we have to get people on the right seat on the bus to move forward,’” Satyapriya said. “And I appreciate that. As a result, the growth of CTL has been significantly better after he joined us than before. He is an asset to CTL and will continue to be to grow the organization.”

Zahran’s leadership style is characterized by this commitment to teamwork and creating a culture where employees feel valued and empowered.

“It’s not about me, it’s about us,” Zahran shared. “I’m a strong believer you are as good as the people you surround yourself with. You find talented people that are smarter than you and add them to your team. That’s what makes an organization successful.”

Zahran’s primary focus as CEO will be on stability, growth, and talent acquisition. As CTL continues to expand, he plans to diversify the company’s service lines and explore opportunities for both organic growth and acquisitions. He also emphasized the importance of attracting and retaining talented employees in today’s competitive job market.

“Our backlog is historically high, and while we are doing well, we are not satisfied. There’s always more we can achieve.”

Joe Warino: Bringing a Wealth of Experience to the COO Role

Joe Warino steps into the role of COO after nearly a year with CTL Engineering. With a background in both public and private sectors, Warino brings extensive experience in leadership, operations, and business growth. His previous roles at ODOT, the City of Columbus, and Prime AE Group, where he led the Construction Services division, have prepared him to take on this key leadership role at CTL.

Like Zahran, Warino’s career began at ODOT, where the two first crossed paths. Their professional relationship has grown over the years, with Zahran first recruiting him to work at the City of Columbus and then again having him join CTL.

“Hassan and I have always had a mutual respect for each other,” Warino said. “We’ve worked together in the past, and even though we’ve competed for business, we’ve always maintained a close relationship.”

During his time at Prime AE Group, Warino demonstrated his ability to grow departments and manage complex operations. He expanded the Construction Services division from just five individuals to over 130, across six states. His success at Prime AE Group laid the groundwork for his move to CTL, where he now leads operations with a focus on efficiency, growth, and cross-department collaboration.

“CTL’s culture of ownership and collaboration is one of the things that attracted me to the company,” Warino explained. “As an ESOP, CTL is infused with entrepreneurial spirit. If anything, we’re working to build on that by breaking down silos and increasing communication across our offices and business units. Our goal is to rise together as a company.”

Warino’s leadership philosophy aligns closely with Zahran’s, and the two are focused on ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining CTL’s entrepreneurial spirit. “We’re not here to make drastic changes,” Warino said. “Our priority is to preserve the stability and values that have made CTL what it is today.”

Paul Mattox: Spearheading Growth as CGO

Finally, Paul Mattox will be added to the leadership team as Chief Growth Officer. Mattox brings over 40 years of diverse experience in both the public and private sectors, with a proven track record of expanding engineering services and geographic footprints at every stop along his career.

Mattox’s impressive resume includes roles as the West Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Commissioner of Highways, where he served for a record 12 years, making him the longest-tenured official in the state’s history in that role. His leadership during this period saw him oversee a $1.1 billion annual budget and manage a workforce of over 6,000 employees. His deep understanding of public infrastructure, combined with his experience in the private sector, uniquely positions him to drive CTL’s ambitious growth goals in the coming years.

In his new role, Mattox will focus on expanding CTL’s geographic presence and services, particularly in the state Department of Transportation (DOT) markets. He has a strong background in growing engineering firms, having successfully opened and managed offices in several states. His experience with state DOTs and extensive national network will be instrumental as CTL seeks to broaden its services in transportation, construction inspection, and environmental consulting.

His experience in both the public and private sectors provides him with a unique perspective on how to grow a company like CTL. “My background is incredibly diverse,” Mattox said. “I’ve worked in transportation, water, wastewater, surveying, site development, and more. This experience will allow me to help CTL diversify its service lines and enter new markets with confidence.”

Mattox’s appointment as CGO is part of CTL’s broader strategy to continue its growth trajectory while maintaining its reputation for quality and client-focused services.

A Legacy of Leadership: CK Satyapriya’s Departure

CK Satyapriya’s leadership over the past four decades has shaped CTL Engineering into a renowned name within the industry. Satyapriya’s focus on maintaining a strong company culture, expanding services, and creating a diversified business portfolio has solidified CTL’s reputation.

Reflecting on Satyapriya’s departure, Hassan Zahran noted, “Anytime you go anywhere, and you mention CTL Engineering, the first thing people say is ‘Oh! CK Satyapriya.’ To me he has been a mentor and supervisor. But most importantly, I consider myself a lucky person that I made a friend forever, with CK.”

Satyapriya’s visionary leadership was instrumental in ensuring the company’s longevity and success.

“CK has set the bar so high for anyone to take over this position. It is a challenge, but we are ready for it,” Zahran said.

Satyapriya’s focus on long-term growth has also been critical in shaping the company’s leadership structure. His decision to cultivate internal leadership, rather than hiring an external CEO, reflects his belief in CTL’s culture. “The board and I talked about bringing in external candidates, but the risk of drastic changes to the company’s culture was a significant concern,” he explained. “We have so much tenure and institutional knowledge within the organization, so it became clear that internal succession was the best path forward.”

Though stepping down from the CEO role, Satyapriya will remain as Chairman of the Board through CTL’s 100-year anniversary in 2027. His continued presence ensures a smooth transition for the company as it enters this new chapter.

A Shared Vision for Growth

Both Zahran and Warino are committed to continuing CTL’s growth while preserving the values that have defined the company for nearly a century. Their shared focus on people, stability, and diversification will guide the company into its next chapter.

“For me, it’s all about the team,” Zahran emphasized. “We cannot wait for opportunities to come, we have to go after it, or someone else is going to eat our lunch.”

“Each of our employees is an owner. They own a piece of the pie as an ESOP company. And I want every one of them to think like an owner. Take control of your product or business line, and I’ll support you 100 percent,” he said. “The best way to predict our future is to create it.”

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