Furthering a vision to elevate security and safety services as a critical component of operational reliability, Gannett Fleming recently named William Foos, CPP, PSP, to the position of director of Security & Safety Services. He is also a vice president of the firm.

“Security should be a forethought, not an afterthought,” said Bob Scaer, Gannett Fleming chairman and CEO. “Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, energy storage, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution present challenging new vulnerabilities for many of our clients, but under Bill’s leadership, we have the talent and resources to address these evolving concerns.”

With more than 25 years of combined industry and military experience, Foos’ work with high-profile clients includes:

  • Conducting studies of the World Trade Center complex, Panama Canal, and Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Philadelphia
  • Leading the after-action review of the emergency action plan activation that occurred during the 2017 Oroville Dam spillway failure 
  • Leading and participating in the independent peer review of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement Office. 

“All organizations are susceptible to human threats and hazardous events,” said Foos. “However, our personnel are experienced in not only fulfilling existing industry best practices but also in identifying future trends and issues. We are committed to providing an integrated approach to compliance and resiliency for our clients.”

Foos is an active member of many professional organizations, such as ASIS International, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, and the Society of American Military Engineers. He is chair of the United States Society on Dams’ Public Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Committee. Foos also serves as a United States delegate to the International Commission of Large Dams Committee on Public Safety Around Dams, and he is a veteran with top military decorations, including a Bronze Star and two Meritorious Service Medals. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Campbell University and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from the University of Nebraska.