NAPLES, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2022) – Hole Montes has hired Thomas J. Pugh, PE, as director of environmental engineering to lead the firm’s division that keeps Southwest Florida’s water supply safe and maintaining the region’s quality of life.

Among an expansive suite of services, Hole Montes provides design, consultation and project management services for water, wastewater and water reuse systems throughout Southwest Florida. The firm designs, inspects and provides operations support for water and wastewater treatment plant projects, force mains and lift stations, and water and sewer lines for local government agencies and private utilities. In addition, Hole Montes takes a leadership role in the planning and development of regional wastewater systems to meet demands of a growing year-round and seasonal population.

Pugh has 32 years of engineering experience in a variety of leadership roles, including vice president for an engineering firm, regional engineering manager for a water and wastewater engineering firm, senior utility project manager for a planning and design firm, and other positions. Pugh is a Florida-licensed engineer and wastewater treatment plant operator, and he has completed certification programs through the National Association of Sewer Service Companies for pipeline, lateral and manhole assessments.

Some of Pugh’s signature projects include the design, permitting and construction oversight for the addition of gravity sewer throughout Hickory Island along with communities west of U.S. 41 between the Imperial River and Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs for Bonita Springs Utilities; the design, permitting and construction oversight of approximately four miles of 10-inch to 20-inch diameter reclaimed water mains to serve Eastwood Golf Course, Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club and The Forum, including a horizontal directional drill pipeline installation under I-75 for the City of Fort Myers; and upgrades and rehabilitation to the Isle of Capri Potable Water Pumping Station and 5 MG Storage Tank for Pinellas County, which included raising critical components 1 foot above the current Category III storm surge elevation.

Pugh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University.