CERM is pleased to announce that Rodney Givens, PE, formerly Vice President of Client Services, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), bringing extensive technical expertise and a strong client-focused perspective to the role. In addition, as part of a strategic realignment of its leadership and operating structure, CERM has established CERM Utilities, a dedicated business division focused on supporting and expanding the firm’s utility services practice. The new division will be led by outgoing COO Terrell Gibbs, PhD, PE, who will serve as President and provide strategic leadership to drive growth, innovation, and exceptional service delivery for utility clients. Additionally, Vykki Del Valle, SPHR, CDP has been promoted to Vice President of Talent and Development, where she will continue to develop and lead CERM’s talent strategy.
Mr. Givens has over 30 years of civil engineering experience and is registered as a Professional Engineer in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, North Carolina and Florida. He is active in professional organizations such as the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Society of Highway Engineers, and the American Water Works Association, and served on the Clayton County Water Authority Board of Directors for 15 years. He has held several leadership positions in his 10 years at CERM.
Dr. Gibbs has been with CERM for 10 years and has more than 20 years of progressive and diverse experience in environmental sustainability, with a specialized focus on water resources. He possesses extensive expertise in water and wastewater utility operations and management, having served in executive leadership roles for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) and utility organizations with workforces of up to 400 employees. He is a registered professional engineer in the States of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and the District of Columbia, and serves on the board of directors of The Water Tower.
Mrs. Del Valle is a strategic and dedicated global human resources specialist with extensive expertise in establishing and leading human resources divisions for startups and large-scale international organizations.
This realignment reflects CERM’s renewed focus on quality and client service, continued investment in people and technology, and a long-term strategy designed to support sustainable growth while expanding the firm’s ability to deliver broader, more integrated solutions for clients. As CERM enters the next chapter in its 30-year history, the company remains committed to building both the infrastructure and relationships that strengthen our communities, guided by leaders who embody the values of Integrity, Initiative, and Loyalty.
While the organization continues to evolve, its vision remains unchanged: Building Better Communities, Creating Opportunities, and Inspiring the Next Generation. These principles have guided CERM for more than 30 years and will continue to shape the company’s future.
This transition represents continuity as much as change—a continued commitment to accountability, technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and the responsible stewardship of public resources. Clients can expect the same trusted partnership, responsiveness, and dedication to delivering high-quality solutions that help agencies achieve their missions and serve their communities effectively.