Salas O’Brien, an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm, has announced the appointment of Wade Claggett as Senior Vice President, Data and AI. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Claggett will lead the firm’s strategy for applying data, automation, and emerging technologies to strengthen delivery and execution. 

 Claggett brings more than 20 years of experience leading data strategy, automation, and digital transformation in complex organizations. He joins Salas O’Brien at a point when AI is moving quickly from idea to expectation across the built environment. 

 Claggett’s appointment builds on work already underway across the firm. Teams have been advancing early efforts in data, automation, and AI, creating a strong foundation to build from. 

 “AI should make our teams more effective, not replace what they bring to the work. It should help us solve complex problems faster and work more seamlessly with our clients. Doing that well takes discipline. You have to understand where it adds value, where it doesn’t, and how to use it responsibly in environments that really matter. That’s the work ahead, and we have the foundation and drive to do it,”  Claggett said. 

 “We are already strong and advancing quickly in the development and application of new tools. Our teams have made meaningful progress. Wade’s practical leadership style and collaborative approach are a strong fit for where we’re headed. His role is to bring alignment, accelerate what’s working, and scale it in a way that supports our clients and our teams,” Darin Anderson, Salas O’Brien Chairman and CEO, said. 

 Claggett holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The Ohio State University, a Master of Science in Operations Research from Florida Institute of Technology, and an Executive Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University. His work reflects a balanced perspective on innovation and governance, with a focus on scalable solutions that deliver long-term value.