Timothy B. Wall is not your typical suit-and-tie executive. His journey is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: hard work beats brilliance when brilliance doesn’t show up. He started his career at CDM Smith as an intern more than 26 years ago and never imagined he’d one day become its Chairman and CEO.
He says he “came because we are the best in the industry,” drawn in by bold ambitions and big thinking. But what kept him rooted was deeper. He stayed for the character of the company, the sense that CDM Smith is not just a place to earn a living, but a place where people truly care for their colleagues, clients, and shared future.
From Intern to Industry Leader
What has carried him upward isn’t a mystery. It’s a lesson from childhood: don’t be the smartest or the fastest, just never be outworked. That belief nudged him to say yes to every challenge, to build relationships, ask good questions, admit mistakes, and learn. Those simple habits earned trust and opened doors all the way to the corner office.
A Leadership Style Built on Listening
As CEO, Tim believes leadership starts with listening. He launched a “listening campaign” to speak with employees and clients, seeking honest views of challenges and hopes. This grassroots approach helped shape his vision: align the firm’s goals with those it serves, without outside investors skewing focus. Clients and communities should find solutions rooted in empathy, not just efficiency.
He points to work in Philadelphia reducing stormwater runoff with green infrastructure, modernizing transit systems in Chicago and Grand Rapids, and pioneering water reuse and sustainable facility design as examples of CDM Smith’s client-centred innovation.
Family Perspectives on His Work
“My daughters used to say, ‘My dad makes water.’” That’s how kids see it, and it stuck. But as they grow, they’re beginning to understand that what he does is more than pipes and pumps. Clean water and sanitation are life-or-death issues in parts of the world. These conversations at home reveal Tim not only as a leader at work but also as a teacher, translating complex challenges into simple truths.
Building a Stronger Workplace Culture
Tim doesn’t want employees to walk into work. He wants them to run. His office is not a remote ivory tower. He champions open communication, digital connection, and trust-building so every one of his 5,000 colleagues feels seen, heard, and empowered. That creates not just a team, but a culture, one that aims to deliver not just good work, but exceptional work.
Embracing Challenges and Smart Risks
Tim didn’t inherit CDM Smith; he stepped into a legacy built by giants. But he’s determined to push the firm beyond comfortable routines. Today’s world demands leaders unafraid to fail, willing to place smart, calculated bets, and learn when things don’t go perfectly. No more cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, Tim encourages daring, creativity, and resilience.
He sums it up simply: “Great leaders are the ones willing to take smart, calculated risks and encourage everyone around them to think outside the box.”
Life Beyond the Office
Beyond boardrooms and strategy, Tim is a husband and father. He has a playful side that comes through in his personal life, like never missing a Taylor Swift concert at Gillette Stadium with his wife and daughters. It’s a reminder that even CEOs need balance, and that leadership is stronger when it reflects the whole person, not just the role.
His Journey
Timothy B. Wall’s story is one of determination, humility, and purpose. He rose from intern to CEO, driven by a work ethic that never let him rest on talent alone. His leadership today is defined by listening first, building trust, and inspiring people to take bold steps forward.
At the heart of it all, Tim sees leadership not just as steering a company but shaping a community, inside and outside the office. His journey shows that true progress comes from grit, empathy, and the courage to take risks when it matters most.
