Our History
Proud History. Bold Future.
In 1947, Thomas Camp left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to set up a consulting practice with partners Herman Dresser and Jack McKee. Together, they pioneered drinking water treatment technologies, advanced approaches in water quality protection and groundwater recharge, and established our enduring culture of innovation and ingenuity. More than seven decades later, that pioneering spirit has grown in more ways than one—size, services, expertise and perspectives—and has emboldened an unwavering passion for making life better and the world more resilient. Our legacy and success is as diverse as it is far reaching, thanks to the 6,000 men and women who comprise CDM Smith today. Every one of us is fortunate to have inherited the proud legacy started by Camp, Dresser and McKee, and we are inspired to continue being the independent force in our industry. They say age is just a number (and we don’t feel or look 76!), but we feel like we’re just getting started.
I think that we should get inner satisfaction from knowing that our work and our experience and knowledge are helping mankind to improve.
Our legacy by the numbers
years of service
75
years of service
projects delivered
150,000+
projects delivered
clients served
20,000+
clients served
countries
150+
countries
Watch Our 75th Anniversary Documentary
Why has this firm survived for 75 years? It’s the people. And we haven't been afraid to take risks. Having that attitude coupled with the best people in the industry: nobody's better than CDM Smith.
Stand by your findings and serve your clients well. We've done it over generations and it's paid huge dividends.
A Moment in Time
Employees participated in our 75th Anniversary Mural by uploading photos that captured our amazing projects and everyday moments that celebrate who we are in 2022 and honors what makes CDM Smith unique.
A Culture of Growing
Our long history of proudly joining forces with industry leaders represents smart and deliberate decisions to not only strengthen our offerings and accelerate our growth, but to carefully shape our culture into who we are today.