Since our beginnings in 1946, CMT’s story has been defined by the people, relationships, communities, and agencies that have shaped the firm along the way. What began in Springfield, IL, with Leonard Crawford, Pat Murphy, and Ray Tilly has evolved over eight decades into a multidisciplinary firm serving clients across a growing geographic footprint.
As we celebrate 80 years, we honor the generations of employees, clients, and partners who contributed to that growth. And as we look ahead to the opportunities still to come, we remain steadfastly committed to our purpose: Elevating infrastructure together to improve communities and enrich lives.
Building Our Legacy
CMT’s founders – Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly – were University of North Dakota engineering alumni who, in post-World War II America, aspired to open a firm of their own and serve a growing nation through their strong technical pedigrees and engineering expertise.
Together, they grew CMT with a shared commitment to serving their people and their clients well.
Described by firm leaders who followed in their footsteps as “honest as the day is long” and “the kind of people you would want to spend a career with,” the firm’s founders were visionaries whose influence has stood the test of time. Their shared values have seen the CMT team through decades of change: of leadership, exponential technological advancements, and unprecedented firm growth.
Today, their influence endures through generations of employees and leaders who have carried forward the people-centric culture first modeled by Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly.
Serving Clients Through Decades of Innovation
Just as relationships have always been central to CMT’s success, so too has innovation. From helping shape transportation networks and advancing water treatment solutions to building a national reputation in aviation engineering, our team has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of clients and communities over the decades:
- 1940s-1950s: After WWII, CMT responds to the national call to design and construct America’s transportation network while building key relationships across Illinois.
- 1960s: Early adoption of computer systems helps CMT engineers perform complex calculations more efficiently.
- 1970s: In response to the Clean Water Act of 1972, CMT helps communities navigate new environmental standards, building a team of inventors and specialists whose efforts would eventually advance new technologies like the helical flow reactor clarifier, which continues to be used in water treatment today.
- 1980s: Aviation services continue to take flight, as CMT is recognized as a trusted industry leader in airfield pavement design and management while establishing a new aviation planning practice – both helping to grow new clients and markets.
- 1990s: CMT’s civil site design capabilities land multiple new Walmart and Sam’s Club projects throughout the Midwest, eventually leading to the formation of what is now the Building & Site Services Business Unit.
- 2000s-Now: CMT’s office footprint and employee count more than double as CMT opens offices including Springfield, MO; Dayton, OH; St. Petersburg, FL; Denver; and Atlanta in response to its growing client base and national project work.
CMT’s history is filled with examples of individuals willing to embrace change, pioneer new technologies, and seek better ways to solve complex challenges. This spirit of innovation and commitment to others continues to shape how we serve clients today.
Growing Our Impact
Since our founding eight decades ago, CMT has evolved far beyond its original footprint. What began as a small engineering practice in Illinois has grown into a 550-employee, multidisciplinary firm with 25+ offices across 10 states. Our expertise spans planning, engineering and design, environmental, data and technology, program and project management, and funding and advancement services.
Growth, however, has never been measured solely by office locations or employee count. CMT has remained focused on building trusted relationships, delivering quality work, and helping clients solve complex challenges.
That commitment extends beyond project work. Employees continue to invest in the places where they live and work through volunteerism and civic engagement. These efforts reflect a longstanding belief that success is measured not only by the projects we complete but also by the positive impact we leave behind.
“As design professionals, everything we do affects people. And, if we do our jobs well, it makes their lives better.”
– Bill Bailey, CMT CEO
Honoring Our Memories and Charting Our Future
Our founders laid the groundwork for success: unified dedication to client service, quality work product, and care for each other. While the last original founder, Len Crawford, retired in 1984, the example set by those early leaders still looms large in the character and culture of CMT.
As we look ahead to our future, new opportunities and challenges will emerge as communities navigate growth, sustainability, resilience, and evolving technologies. The next chapter of CMT’s story will be written by the people who continue to build relationships, honor our legacy and memories, and pursue excellence every day. Guided by our shared purpose, we will carry forward the foundation established by those who came before us as we continue elevating infrastructure for future generations, together.
