Heritage
From our start in small-town North Carolina to our expertise improving sustainable infrastructure across the Southeast, the Wooten story is one of commitment to building strong communities and lasting partnerships.
tradition
The Wooten Story
Our future is constructed from the learned experience of our past.
Starting in the early 20th century, Louis E. Wooten committed himself to helping develop communities into stronger, more sustainable environments that enrich the lives of the people who live there.
From his civil engineering training in 1917 at what’s now known as N.C. State University, to his interest in helping rural communities grow and thrive after the first World War, Wooten was always curious about how to make the world around us a better place. In the 1930s, as the country emerged from the Great Depression, Wooten continued his trailblazing ways, founding the firm that still bears his name — and embarking on a mission to transform communities across the Southeast and beyond.
Building a New Beginning
L.E. Wooten establishes the company in Raleigh, NC. It did not take long for Wooten to begin winning smaller contracts.
The Expansion of Camp Lejeune
The firm is selected to acquire land to expand Camp Lejeune. Today, the base and the community are home to 170,000 people.
Bringing Electricity to Millions
Wooten helps transform the lives of millions living in rural communities across the Southeast by providing new household electricity through the Rural Electrification Act.
The Rise of Carter-Finley Stadium
After designing and building what’s recognized as one of the nation’s finest lighted college football fields, Wooten officially dedicates Carter-Finley Stadium at NC State University.
A New Wooten President
C.B. Galphin, the grandson of L.E. Wooten, is elected company president. This is the same year that the Apollo 11 crew lands on the moon.
Recognized by Engineering Industry
L.E. Wooten is hailed as “Patriarch of North Carolina consulting engineers” by industry association advocates.
Energy Efficiency Award and a New President
Bill Barlow becomes Wooten’s newest president, as the firm is awarded for the energy-efficient design of the new Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
50th Anniversary and President Buck Kennedy
Wooten’s 50th anniversary is marked by Buck Kennedy’s election as the company’s fourth President.
The End of An Era: L.E. Wooten Passes
Just shy of his 100th birthday, L.E. Wooten passes away. Together, he and his wife Edith raised four children together.
Advancing Sustainability at RTP Facility
Wooten’s Building Systems Group begins a relationship with a global technology leader to help meet the changing needs of their RTP campus as it continues to grow.
President Bucky Moore & 75th Anniversary
After Amos L. "Bucky" Moore Jr. is elected the firm’s fifth president & under his leadership, the company celebrates its 75th Diamond anniversary in 2011 at a Durham Bulls Baseball Game.
6th Wooten President Elected
Gary Hartong is elected the firm’s sixth president, building on over eight decades of continuous operation, with a clear vision for the 21st century.
Expanding Palmetto State Presence
With Wooten's first corporate acquisition, the firm's Columbia office is positioned for more projects in support of community and economic development across South Carolina.
Values Rooted in History
OUR DRIVE, OVER EIGHT DECADES, IS THAT OUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK BUILDS A BETTER TOMORROW.
Community
Our founder’s family history traces back to Eastern North Carolina. After studying engineering at State College in Raleigh, he decided to found his firm in the state capital. Today we have six offices across the Carolinas, providing essential infrastructure to residents and Main Street businesses, as well as modern building systems to schools and data centers. This is the basis of a high quality of life for a growing population.
Quality
Ensuring that our neighbors have what they need for everyday life and in times of crisis means designing systems that stand the test of time. Treatment plants Wooten designed 50 years ago are still in service. We assess the condition of utilities and determine the relationship between natural resources and people before we make plans for improvements. We are committed to quality assurance that guides big ideas to complete fruition.
Capability
Prior to the digital age, engineering and architecture designs were undertaken entirely through manual drafting. Twenty-first century technology enables our teams to be far more precise and efficient than their predecessors. We lay the groundwork for sound construction through advanced geomatics and promote preventative maintenance through cloud-based asset management. The next generation will raise the bar even higher.
Sustainability
Since day one, every project Wooten has completed is grounded in a connection to the environment. We draw water from rivers and ensure it is safe to drink. We create eco-optimized building systems to reduce energy use and cost. We design and deliver infrastructure that meets not only current but future needs. With a commitment to high-caliber design and a sense of higher purpose, our firm builds sustainable systems – and enduring relationships.
the future
With a dogged insistence on attention to detail, hiring good-natured, talented people, and always focusing on our client’s best interests, Wooten has helped shape sustainable communities across the Carolinas. We’ve been doing it for more than 80 years and we’ll do it for 80 more. It’s what we call a tradition of designing the future.
promise
from the president
“We revel in every opportunity to partner with local leadership and their teams. They take pride in their communities. And Wooten's promise is to design and deliver infrastructure that promotes a high quality of life for their residents for generations to come.”
— Gary Hartong, Wooten President