ABOUT GILBERT ENGINEERING
We are a people focused, family oriented company with a collaborative approach to the work we do. Most problems have multiple solutions. Our mission is to have the best minds in the room to analyze all options, make necessary changes or updates quickly and ensure the solution meets or exceeds the needs of the customer.
A Legacy of Excellence
For nearly 100 years, Gilbert Engineering has been a leader in the construction industry in and around central North Carolina. Originally founded as an engineering and design firm in 1926, the unique challenges of the depression forced John Gilbert I to diversify.
The following years resulted in numerous ventures, primarily focused on heavy civil projects to support North Carolina’s growing infrastructure needs, including asphalt, a rock quarry and ready mixed concrete plant.
John Gilbert Jr. joined his father in the family business in 1958 after receiving a degree in Engineering from Princeton University, eventually taking over the company after his father’s death in 1966.
By the 1970s, decades after working closely with local municipalities, the company recognized a growing need in water and wastewater services. It responded, and this shift laid the foundation for our current focus, where we have been a leading provider for over 50 years.
Today, the firm is led by John Gilbert III, who joined the company in 1990 and assumed the role of President in 2006.
John's wife Anna serves as the CFO, further establishing the company's commitment to remain a privately owned business and carry on the legacy of the Gilbert family in the communities they’ve served for nearly 100 years.
Today's Leadership Team
Gilbert Engineering is a family-led company dedicated to quality work and putting people first.
President
John Gilbert III
Bio Coming soon...
Project Manager
Brian Connolly
Brian Connolly is a licensed Professional Engineer in North and South Carolina with a B.A. in Engineering Management from UNC Asheville (2014) and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from NC A&T (2016), where he specialized in structural design. He has worked with some of the region’s leading highway and demolition contractors, developing extensive field and office experience in construction engineering, heavy infrastructure, bridge construction, structural rehab, concrete forming, design-build, and project management. Brian serves as Project Manager at Gilbert Engineering, where he coordinates field operations and construction engineering to ensure smooth, high-quality project delivery. Outside of work, Brian enjoys outdoor activities including mountain biking, fly fishing, and camping, as well as woodworking, clay shooting, and home renovation projects. A proud North Carolina native, he resides in Statesville with wife Wini and son Walt.
Project Engineer
Jelks Duncan
Jelks Duncan is a Project Engineer at Gilbert, where he assists in managing a variety of construction projects, including water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and process piping installations. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.
At Gilbert, Jelks works closely with project managers and superintendents to support project planning, coordination, and field operations. He focuses on keeping projects organized and making sure work is completed efficiently and to the required standards. Outside of work, Jelks enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.
