CEO and president of Drummond Carpenter, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business specializing in civil, environmental engineering, and applied research.
By Liisa Andreassen
Correspondent
As the 2025 U.S. Small Business Administration Veteran-Owned Business Person of the Year for the state of Florida, Drummond is building one of Florida’s fastest-growing engineering firms – one that’s tackling complex infrastructure and environmental challenges across the state and beyond. Drummond Carpenter (Orlando, FL) was also a 2025 Zweig Group Hot Firm Award winner.
Military experience shaped firm niche.
Specifically, Drummond Carpenter is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. While Drummond was in the Navy, he knew long before joining the ranks that he wanted to work in science and engineering. His military experience only served to heighten that interest. He served in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm which he says was the catalyst for his decision to pursue environmental engineering.
“I saw firsthand the environmental devastation – oil wells burning black into the sky and crude oil blanketing the water for miles,” he says. “I knew I wanted a career focused on solving those kinds of problems.”
He shares that it was his Navy training, particularly in nuclear systems, that gave him a unique foundation that continues to shape the work they do at Drummond Carpenter.
“Today, one of our specialties is assisting the federal government with the safe storage and disposal of materials from the Manhattan Project era. That niche is directly tied to my naval background and the technical rigor it demanded,” he says.
The majority of Drummond Carpenter’s work is with federal and municipal clients, though they also support select private and nonprofit organizations. He explains that their federal partnerships are central to their business and include agencies like NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“One of the most significant projects in our firm’s history is currently underway with the VA, where we’re leading the full redesign of utility infrastructure – water, stormwater, sewer, and natural gas – at a hospital campus in Arkansas,” he shares.
As a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, there’s a natural connection to this type of mission-driven federal work.
“We’re proud to bring technical precision and science-based solutions to complex infrastructure and environmental challenges and we’re especially grateful for the programs at the federal, state, and local levels that help elevate the impact of businesses like ours,” he says. “That support has helped us grow and contribute to the future of critical public-sector systems.”
Intentional collaboration, culture creation, and growth.
And sustaining the culture that has fueled their growth while preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers to thrive is what continues to drive Drummond forward.
“We’re intentional about creating an environment where talent is supported, challenged, and inspired,” he says. “Our team culture is built around collaboration, not competition. We like to say we’re ‘cool people doing cool projects,’ but behind that is a serious commitment to mentorship, career development, and retention.”
From day one, the company has demonstrated commitment to hiring not just for technical ability, but for character.
“We look for good humans first,” he says. “And because we’ve maintained incredibly low staff turnover, many of those early team members have grown into today’s firm leaders. They have shaped our culture, and that makes all the difference.”
And despite a climate of economic uncertainty, Drummond says their strategy is to stay focused on what they can control – delivering exceptional service, investing in technical expertise, and innovating in ways that sets it apart.
Drummond says he’s most energized by the possibilities emerging from artificial intelligence. Last year, the company launched an Augmented Intelligence Application Initiative, or what they call (AI)², to explore how AI can strengthen their work.
“We’ve already developed internal tools that are transforming how we manage operations and execute projects, and we’re seeing real gains in both efficiency and quality, with great implications for the broader AEC industry,” he says.
He’s also excited about collaborating with higher education institutions and believes it’s a critical part of investing in the industry’s future.
“By engaging with universities, we’re gaining access to cutting-edge research and fresh perspectives, and helping to shape and mentor the next generation of engineers and scientists,” he says.
Several members of their team, including Drummond, have served as adjunct or tenured faculty, and they continue to stay closely involved with academic programs across the country. One example is Drummond’s role on the Advisory Board for Florida International University’s Applied Research Center, where he works alongside university leadership to improve student employability and develop joint research opportunities.
“That collaboration has already led to recruiting top student talent and is opening doors for impactful, funded research that will help push the AEC industry forward,” he shares. “When you invest in people – early and often – you build a stronger company, and you contribute to a more innovative and resilient industry.”