Greenhorne & O'Mara (G&O) is a multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm that provides services nationally and overseas from its base of 18 offices in Florida, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
For 60 years, G&O has been an industry leader and has provided award-winning expertise to federal, state, and municipal clients, as well as the private sector.
G&O's 60-Year History – 1950-2010
2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960sClick thumbnails below for larger images or browse the image gallery here.
- G&O was founded in Maryland by Marcus F.H. Greenhorne and A. James O'Mara in 1950. After working together for several years, they formed the partnership of Greenhorne & O'Mara, practicing in the fields of civil engineering, land planning, and surveying. After Mr. Greenhorne's retirement in 1965, the company was incorporated under the same name. Under Mr. O'Mara's leadership, G&O expanded to locations ranging from Pennsylvania to Florida, completed many notable projects, and received numerous awards. His professionalism, warm personal nature, and willingness to give of himself in troubled times earned high esteem by all who knew him.
After his retirement as president of G&O, Mr. O'Mara continued his involvement as the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors until his passing in 2007. His legacy to G&O is a culture infused with his integrity, his commitment to be an Employer of Choice, and his belief that the company has an obligation to improve communities.
2000s
- G&O proudly celebrates its 60th year on February 15, 2010.
- As part of the Strategic Alliance for Risk Reduction (STARR) Joint Venture team, G&O was selected for a 5-year contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work on its Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment, and Planning) Strategy.
- President Frank R. Finch, P.E. assumes the added role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). John J. Healey, Ph.D., P.E., continues his role as Chairman of the Board.
- G&O moved to its newly-built headquarters building located in Laurel, MD.
- Chosen as one of the Top 50 Best Civil Engineering Firms To Work For by CE News.
- Established a multi-market Federal Programs team to serve the federal and DoD markets.
- Formed a Design Build Business Team to focus the firm's efforts in this rapidly evolving project delivery mode.
- Strengthened position as an industry leader in the area of hazard assessment and was asked by FEMA to lead the 25-member team that evaluated building construction, design, and fire protection practices of collapsed or seriously damaged buildings following the 9/11/01 attacks on the World Trade Center complex in New York, NY. As a result, G&O was recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for its role in fostering excellence in engineering design for its World Trade Center Building Performance Study.
- Supported Homeland Security efforts through its participation in the "133 Urban Areas Program", an ambitious plan initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey, with cooperation from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, to map metropolitan areas in the country with high-resolution, natural color aerial imagery.
- Expanded water resources services throughout the Southeastern U.S., including North Carolina and Florida.
- Transportation services expanded in the Mid-Atlantic area with the opening of new offices in Baltimore, MD, and Fairmont, WV.
- General Civil services grew along the southeastern portion of the United States and the Jacksonville, FL office was established.
- John J. Healey, PhD, P.E., was appointed President in a significant management transition and subsequently added the role of Chairman & CEO upon the retirement of Mr. O'Mara.
- A. James O'Mara, P.E., P.L.S., the retired co-founder of the engineering consulting firm Greenhorne & O'Mara, passed away on November 7, 2007 at the age of 87.
1990s
- Became a leader in military housing and built a substantial practice in base re-use in response to Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC).
- Won the U.S. Fish & Wildlife National Wetlands Inventory contract, combining G&O's expertise in environmental sciences and GIS consulting.
- Helped the FEMA Mitigation Directorate write its strategic plan, sending experts to assess damages after Hurricane Andrew, the Oklahoma City bombing, and other major disasters. Began to prepare booklets on how to prevent damages, thus influencing local and national building codes.
- Became the firm of choice for numerous state departments of transportation.
- Recognized in the national trade press for innovative use of CADD to streamline the design process and improve quality.
1980s
- Added nine new offices on the East Coast due to a workforce that tripled during this decade, and a new, corporate-owned facility in Greenbelt, Maryland was built.
- The firm won an EPA Innovative Technology grant for wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
- Public involvement specialists, archeologists, and historic preservation specialists were hired, and military master planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) consulting began.
1970s
- Began providing environmental sciences consulting and floodplain mapping for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Added land planning/landscape architecture, structural engineering, water resources engineering, transportation planning, construction inspection services, and military science.
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