Meet Shawn Tobey, PE: Haley Ward’s First Northeast Operations Director
For Shawn Tobey, PE, engineering has always been about turning ideas into something tangible.
From a young age, Shawn was drawn to building things and understanding how they came together. With a father in the construction industry, he spent much of his childhood on job sites, where he developed an appreciation for the process of transforming an idea into something tangible.
That early interest inspired him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and a career in land development.
“I’ve always loved building and putting things together,” Shawn said. “Ever since I can remember, I was on construction sites seeing things take shape. I liked the concept of starting with nothing and ending up with a road, a building, or a new development. Seeing people use something that started as an idea has always been exciting to me.”
Today, what Shawn enjoys most about engineering is helping clients bring their vision to life.
“I love seeing a project start as a concept or an idea,” he said. “Being able to work behind the scenes, put it on paper, and then see people using the finished product is incredibly rewarding.”
When Shawn joined Haley Ward in 2025 as Southern Maine & New Hampshire Land Development Manager, he saw an opportunity to become part of a company with tremendous momentum. Haley Ward’s continued expansion, including the 2022 acquisition of Ambit Engineering in New Hampshire, reinforced his desire to join the team.
“I kept seeing Haley Ward’s growth, especially after the acquisition of Ambit Engineering,” he said. “That really caught my attention because it was local. I wanted to be part of a company that was growing and creating new opportunities.”
Since joining the firm, Shawn says it is the people and culture that have made the biggest impression.
“The people, the culture, and the projects stand out most,” he said. “The project backlog has been excellent, the client relationships have been strong, and the relationships with my coworkers have been even better.”
One of the things Shawn values most is the strong sense of family throughout Haley Ward.
“You can feel everyone coming together,” he said. “It is not just about projects. People take the time to get to know each other. Watching the team become more connected and collaborative has been exciting.”
As Haley Ward’s first Northeast Operations Director, Shawn is looking forward to helping strengthen collaboration across the region while supporting the firm’s continued success.
“I’m excited to help bring all of the talented people, clients, and services we have across the Northeast together,” he said. “With increased coordination and collaboration, the opportunities are tremendous.”
Having served in a similar leadership role previously, Shawn brings broad operational experience and a collaborative leadership style to the position. While his background is rooted in land development, he has worked closely with multidisciplinary teams throughout his career and believes successful operations begin with strong relationships.
Outside of work, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife and their three young children. Whether they are skiing together in the winter, heading to the beach or lake during the summer, or simply enjoying time outdoors, family is at the center of his life. He also enjoys playing basketball in local leagues whenever he has the chance.
For Shawn, leadership is ultimately about people.
“Getting to know people is important because everyone has their own career goals,” he said. “I do not see people as numbers. Everyone plays a critical role in the bigger picture. When people feel connected and supported, they are able to do their best work. I’m excited to help create that environment across our Northeast teams.”
