Catherine Carr Clinch

Catherine “Cathy” Carr Clinch is President of the MER3 (mitigation, environmental, response, recovery & resiliency) business vertical, which joins together Tidal Basin Group, MLU Services, and Michael Baker’s EMR (emergency management & response/resiliency) team under one united team, focused on building a stronger tomorrow. With 30+ years as a seasoned executive and thought leader in business operations, program management, and strategic development across the consulting, engineering, and disaster management fields, Cathy drives MER3’s growth, operational, financial, legal/compliance, and shared services teams to focus on effective client delivery and growth across federal, state & local government, commercial, education, healthcare and transportation markets, both domestically and internationally. She also partners closely with Michael Baker International’s other business verticals, including Infrastructure, Integrated Design & Advisory (IDA), and GovTech, to bring the full spectrum of solutions and added value to all of Michael Baker, Tidal Basin, and MLU’s clients.  

Prior to her appointment as President of MER3 at Michael Baker International, Cathy served as the Division President of Federal Services and Contingency Operations for Tidal Basin Group and MLU Services. That role allowed her to fully understand the depth and breadth of Tidal Basin and MLU’s services, enabling an effective transition of bringing the three brands together under the MER3 business vertical.

Her impressive career achievements show Cathy’s expertise in scaling operations. Before joining Tidal Basin, she served as Vice President and Federal Sector Manager at Atkins Realis, a global consulting firm specializing in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services across numerous industries. During her tenure at this firm, she quadrupled federal business growth, led critical initiatives such as a Puerto Rico Task Force, managed FEMA’s largest feeding and housing missions, and played a key leadership role in the COVID-19 Task Force, fostering cross-business partnerships during a defining global challenge.  

She also successfully secured $950 million in recompetes, expanded the Caribe Division into a sustainable $20 million business, and, through effective capture strategies, increased the overall proposal win rate to 50%. Cathy’s proven ability to lead dynamic teams and deliver exceptional results makes her invaluable in tackling the most complex challenges facing disaster management and federal service industries today.  

Prior to Atkins Realis, Cathy served in various leadership roles at URS (now AECOM), including Vice President, National Practice Leader for Homeland Security Services and Preparedness, Division Manager, and Program Manager. She led a series of major, complex, and multidisciplinary projects centered on operational planning, response, and recovery, and oversaw a $150M revenue portfolio encompassing hundreds of programs and projects. Cathy was instrumental in driving strategy and operational delivery across public and private-sector clients, frequently engaging at the highest executive levels, including Agency Secretaries, White House officials, Governors, and CEOs. Her leadership was pivotal during some of the nation’s most catastrophic events, including post-9/11 recovery, the Anthrax crisis, the Hurricane Sandy response, and the Southern Border Initiative. 

Her professional highlights also include contributions to board and industry leadership. She has served as a founding member of the Border Patrol Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Washington Homeland Security Roundtable while maintaining active memberships in Women in Homeland Security, ASFPM, AAAE, and IAEM.  

Cathy’s academic foundation is equally impressive. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Kent State University and completed coursework for an M.S. in Environmental Management at Cleveland State. She also enhanced her leadership acumen with an Executive Leadership Seminar at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. 

Cathy Carr Clinch is a dynamic leader whose strategic vision, operational expertise, and exceptional relationship-building skills have enabled her to deliver results in high-stakes environments. With unparalleled expertise and an unwavering dedication to service, she plays a pivotal role in advancing disaster management, enhancing federal program efficiency, and fostering community recovery.