LAUREL, MD – November 7, 2007 – A. James O'Mara, P.E., P.L.S., co-founder of Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc. (G&O), passed away on Nov. 7, 2007.

• A. James O'Mara: a distinguished life and career in pictures

After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1942 with a degree in Civil Engineering, A. James O'Mara entered the U.S. Navy where he served with the Construction Battalion, the "Seabees", of the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. The Seabees built military support facilities during World War II. Stationed in the Pacific, he attained the rank of Senior Grade Lieutenant before being discharged at the end of the war.

After leaving the Navy, Mr. O'Mara worked for Turner Construction Company in New York City and the Belli Engineering Company in Trenton, New Jersey. While working with Malcolm Pirnie Engineers of New York, he was relocated to Hyattsville, Maryland. It was there he met Marcus Greenhorne.

In 1950, after working together for more than three years, they formed the partnership of Greenhorne & O'Mara, practicing in the fields of civil engineering, land planning, and surveying. The company focused on private development projects and engineering for many municipalities in Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland.

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 17 office locations extending from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Denver, Colorado.

Mr. O'Mara's entrepreneurial leadership forged the firm into several emerging growth areas. G&O developed strong transportation and structural engineering, water and wastewater, water resources and environmental engineering disciplines to complement its other business lines. Mr. O'Mara led the firm as it expanded its business, providing services to Federal clients such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.

Mr. O'Mara was an avid golfer and skier. He piloted his own planes, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He had a gregarious personality which allowed him to build lifelong relationships with the development and banking communities, as well as public sector agencies for the federal, state, and local governments.

Notable projects throughout the Washington metropolitan area include the Redskins Stadium and the National Archives at the University of Maryland, as well as Montgomery Village, Leisure World, and Olney Mill in Montgomery County, and Ammendale, Laurel Lakes and Maryland Science and Technology Center in Prince George's County. During his career, Mr. O'Mara received numerous awards for his engineering projects.

Jim O'Mara served as the firm's President until 1989 and as G&O's CEO and Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 2000. Mr. O'Mara served the company as Chairman Emeritus, Board of Directors until his passing.

Mr. O'Mara generously supported many local charities, most notably Children's Hospital of Washington.

Jim O'Mara was a very personable and approachable gentleman. He always made time to listen to G&O employees and his door "was always open." He cared deeply for G&O's employees and its clients. Mr. O'Mara's legacy continues to live on through the current successes and employee-friendly culture that he established. He will be truly missed and fondly remembered.

His professionalism, warm personal nature, and willingness to give of himself in troubled times, led him to be held in the highest esteem by his peers, employees, clients, and friends.

Related Links: Greenhorne & O'Mara Co-Founder A. James O'Mara, P.E., P.L.S., Passes Away | G&O Company History