4CE Engineering Group names Heather Hillaert chief human resources officer

4CE Engineering Group appointed Heather Hillaert as chief human resources officer on October 12, 2026, as the Greenville, South Carolina-based firm expands its network of engineering and infrastructure partners. Hillaert will oversee people strategy, talent, culture and HR operations across 4CE and its partner firms.

Why it matters: - 4CE Engineering Group is scaling through partnerships, and the company is adding senior HR leadership to help align culture and talent across a growing network. - The role is central to how 4CE will recruit, develop and retain employees as it adds more partner firms.

What happened: - 4CE Engineering Group appointed Heather Hillaert, SHRM-SCP, as chief human resources officer on October 12, 2026. - Hillaert will report to Wes Kingery, 4CE founder and CEO. - Her remit covers human resources across 4CE and its partner firms. - She will oversee talent acquisition, leadership development, compensation and benefits, and corporate culture development.

The details: - Hillaert brings nearly 20 years of human resource leadership experience in technical and scientific services organizations. - Most recently, she served as vice president of human resources at Americas for Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services. - Before that, she was human resources director for Eurofins Agrosciences Services and at Cambridge International. - Cambridge International was a finalist for SmartCEO’s Healthiest Company award in 2015 during Hillaert’s tenure. - Hillaert holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. - Kingery said Hillaert brings experience building HR functions across technical, multi-site organizations while helping create a workplace where people can grow and build careers. - Hillaert said she was drawn to 4CE because the company’s commitment to culture shows up in day-to-day operations. - Hillaert said she wants to help build an employee experience that connects people, supports leaders and creates long-term career opportunities. - 4CE is based in Greenville, South Carolina. - 4CE describes itself as a growing network of engineering and infrastructure firms that connects engineers, contractors, manufacturers and asset owners. - More information is available on the company’s website and on LinkedIn.

Between the lines: - The hire follows a broader expansion strategy that depends on integrating new firms without losing operational consistency. - A dedicated CHRO suggests 4CE is prioritizing a shared people strategy as partnership activity increases. - The company also appears to be building out its leadership bench in parallel with growth.

What's next: - Hillaert will help shape 4CE’s HR systems, culture and talent integration as additional partner firms join. - 4CE is likely to keep leaning on senior hires to support its expansion model.

The bottom line: - 4CE is betting that stronger people leadership will help it grow faster without diluting culture or execution.