CMTA congratulates Liz Alford, Cole Parkinson, and Johnathan Stewart for winning this year’s 40 Under 40 Award, given by Consulting Specifying Engineer magazine. Each year, CSE recognizes 40 nonresidential building industry professionals ages 40 and younger for their exceptional contributions in both their professional and personal endeavors. Learn more about CMTA’s 2024 winners:
Liz Alford
Liz joined CMTA in 2015 as an engineering co-op student, transitioning to a full-time employee after graduating in 2017. Since then, Liz has been an integral part of the HVAC renovation design teams for seven high schools and two middle schools within Jefferson County Public Schools, projects valued at over $200 million. Her expertise also extends to developing high-performance, geothermal HVAC systems for two new educational facilities within the district. Additionally, Liz has spearheaded the building information modeling coordination for significant healthcare projects, including a new five-story patient tower and a 3,750-ton central energy plant for a hospital. Liz is passionate about finding unique design solutions and exploring new ways to optimize central plants.
Since 2019, Liz has played a key role in CMTA’s co-op program, investing in young engineers to develop their talents and continue CMTA’s commitment to growth from within. A dedicated advocate for female engineers, Liz has shared her expertise in high-performance mechanical systems with several Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapters and has contributed to the SWE conference in Los Angeles. Her dual commitment to mentoring future generations of engineers and delivering occupant-focused designs highlights her contribution to the engineering field and her dedication to inclusivity and excellence in the built environment.
Cole Parkinson
Joining CMTA in 2021, Cole has over 18 years of industry experience, working as an electrical designer, project manager, and director. With a career fully dedicated to technology in building design, Cole possesses a profound understanding of how these technologies shape the human experience within spaces. Committed to remaining at the forefront of technology design, he strives to transform traditional spaces into technologically advanced and environmentally conscious facilities. He understands the importance of keeping clients informed about changes in their respective industries, empowering them to make informed decisions about integrating technologies into their buildings. He believes that the beauty of technology design lies in the endless possibilities presented by emerging technologies each year, and the ability to continuously redefine how we experience buildings.
Cole also values relationships with colleagues, especially since they spend the same amount of time with each other as they do with their families. He is passionate about leadership and strives to foster a culture where everyone works cohesively toward common goals and assists one another in reaching their full potential. In CMTA's Columbus office, Cole strives to help instill an entrepreneurial culture where all employees actively contribute rather than waiting for opportunities to arise, empowering everyone to contribute to the collective success of the team.
Johnathan Stewart
In 2007, Johnathan joined CMTA as an engineering co-op while attending the University of Kentucky. He accepted a full-time position with CMTA in 2010, as he knew the engineers around him were the ones he wanted to learn from. In his first few years as a consulting engineer, Johnathan honed his skills in fundamental electrical engineering practices, working on projects spanning eastern Kentucky. These experiences not only introduced him to remarkable colleagues and peers but also led to the establishment of lasting relationships that are still thriving today. Johnathan enjoys applying electrical engineering principles to solve real-world problems. Sometimes, these solutions are needed quickly, and he thrives under pressure, consistently delivering quality, cost-effective solutions to owners and architects. He loves interacting with clients and understanding their needs, as he knows these are the buildings and systems they will continue to service and maintain in the future.
When CMTA developed an office in Richmond, Virginia, Johnathan was asked to spearhead the electrical engineering department. He now leads day-to-day electrical operations, mentors younger engineers, and is heavily involved in business development and staff growth in the Richmond office. Additionally, he continues to work closely with CMTA’s Lexington, Kentucky office, where his career with CMTA began.