Garver welcomes MacVittie as National Pumping Practice Leader

Based in Garver’s Charlotte office, Martin “Tim” MacVittie, PE, will serve the Carolinas and clients across Garver’s footprint as our National Pump and Practice Leader.

MacVittie brings over 15 years of experience focused on the design of pump stations. He also has experience with pipeline utility rehabilitation, replacements, and extensions. As a pumping system subject matter expert, he’s helped utilities reduce pumping system operations and maintenance costs, enhance pump station design standards, and promote system sustainability. Prior to joining Garver MacVittie was overseeing 750 MGD of pumping system designs with some of the nation's largest utilities.

Inspired by his mother who worked as a mechanical engineer, MacVittie knew he wanted to be an engineer from a young age and remembers visiting her office to watch her team test and troubleshoot equipment. When he was 12, she asked him where he saw himself in 10 years, and he said without hesitation that he wanted to be “an engineer.” Fast forward to the present day, and he’s got four kids, ages five to 13, a 120-pound mastiff, a successful career, and the respect of other experts in the industry.

But back to MacVittie’s path to pumps. Early in his college career, he decided to change course from mechanical engineering to civil engineering because it offered more job security. He’d always been fascinated by pump stations and felt he could “scratch that mechanical engineering itch” by focusing on that area. After graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Old Dominion University, MacVittie jumped right into designing them.

“Once I started diving into pumps and the nuances of how to ensure pumping equipment longevity, I was hooked,” said MacVittie. He enjoyed the job’s challenges, like rehabilitation projects, and found it rewarding that his work provided a vital service. “Of all the industries, water and wastewater will always be needed, and pump stations are critical for moving water or wastewater from one point to another. It feels good helping ensure these services remain active for the communities I work in.”

“Tim’s specialized knowledge and experience will not only enhance our project efficiency but also drive innovation in our water management solutions,” East Region Director Brian Shannon. “We’re excited to see the positive impact he'll have on our team and the communities we serve.”

MacVittie made the switch to Garver because the firm offered the autonomy, flexibility, and work-life balance he needed—not to mention some of the best benefits in the industry. He also felt that he had an opportunity to make a bigger impact with Garver, which excited him.

A life-long learner and self-avowed perfectionist, MacVittie continues to expand his knowledge, and share it with others. For the past two years, he’s enjoyed helping write and guide industry standards for the Hydraulic Institute, the largest association of pump manufacturers in North America and the global authority on pumps and pump systems. He’s also passionate about mentoring and growing the future pumping system experts of the industry.

Outside of the office, MacVittie likes spending time with family, being involved in his church, hunting and fishing, and putting his problem-solving skills to use restoring his 1975 Corvette. And that’s just the kind of work/life balance he was looking for.