Providence Engineering Announces Leadership Transition

Providence Engineering, a leading provider of building engineering services, is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition. Effective January 2025, David Bernhardt, PE, the current President and CEO, will maintain the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Dana Ziegler, PE, will be promoted to President.

Leadership Transition Reflects Strength from Within

David Bernhardt, PE, has been an integral part of Providence Engineering for many years, joining the firm in 2003, becoming an owner in 2009, and most recently serving as President and CEO since 2015. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its service offerings, strengthened its market position, and transitioned to a 100% employee-owned company. As David continues in the role of CEO, he will provide strategic oversight and visionary leadership for the company.

David commented, “I am excited to continue driving Providence Engineering’s strategic vision and collaborating with my colleague and friend, Dana Ziegler. When Dana takes over as President in January, he will be the third President in our firm’s history. This promotion is a testament to his management and leadership skills and to the operational strength of our employee-owned company structure. I am confident that Dana’s leadership, as President, will not only strengthen and expand our ability to deliver dependable and innovative solutions to our clients, but will also provide an increasingly rewarding workplace for our employee-owners.”

Dana Ziegler, PE, who has been with Providence Engineering in varying capacities for over 14 years, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture to his new role as President. Dana’s promotion from within the organization is a clear indication of Providence Engineering’s commitment to nurturing talent and recognizing the achievements of its team members. Dana earned his Bachelor of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology from The Pennsylvania State University, and before returning to Providence in 2014, he was Vice President of Engineering and Operations at his family’s construction firm.

Dana expressed his enthusiasm, “I am honored to step into the role of President at Providence Engineering. Having grown within this remarkable company, I am deeply committed to our values and mission. We have always strived to be the engineer of choice, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to continue delivering comprehensive building engineering solutions to our clients.”


New Doylestown Branch Leader

With Dana’s promotion to President, our commitment to our Doylestown office remains steadfast, and we are pleased to announce that Annette Dearolf, PE, Senior Project Manager, Structural, will become the new Doylestown Branch Lead, effective July 31, 2024. Annette is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering. She brings over 30 years of experience to the role. Annette’s deep technical engineering experience and existing relationships with many of our eastern region clients make her the clear and qualified choice to lead our team and support our clients in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.


A 100% Employee-Owned Company

One of Providence Engineering’s distinguishing features is its 100% employee-owned structure. This ownership model fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Each employee-owner is invested in the company’s long-term prosperity, ensuring a high level of dedication and engagement. This structure not only benefits the employee-owners but also enhances the service quality provided to clients.

For More Information

As we progress through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, please follow the Providence Engineering social media channels to keep updated on this exciting leadership transition and learn more about Providence’s third President, Dana Ziegler.