Business Details
31 Years
experience
Expert Civil Engineering Solutions in Guthrie, KY
Established in 1995, McGhee Engineering has grown from a dining room operation to a respected civil engineering firm serving clients across western Kentucky and Tennessee. Our focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive project management stems from our founder Mike McGhee's vision to deliver tailored solutions without the overhead of large-city firms. With three professional engineers boasting over 20 years of experience each, we specialize in complex municipal and industrial projects, including water/wastewater systems, infrastructure planning, and industrial facility design.Our low-overhead model allows reinvestment in cutting-edge technology and extended project development time, ensuring precise, budget-conscious outcomes. We pride ourselves on our 50+ million-dollar project completions and enduring partnerships with agencies like USDA Rural Development. Rooted in Guthrie, KY, our community-centric approach extends to local board involvements and personalized client service.
Services
Water System Design
Wastewater Engineering
Infrastructure Planning
Industrial Facility Design
Boundary Surveying
Pipeline Design
Funding Assistance
Construction Administration
Site Development
Pump Station Optimization
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of civil engineering experience serving Kentucky and Tennessee
- Our three senior engineers average 20+ years per project specialization
- Proven track record with 50+ million-dollar infrastructure projects completed
- Cost-effective solutions enabled by our low-overhead, Guthrie-based operations
- Direct access to senior engineers throughout your project lifecycle
Services
Water System Design
We design comprehensive drinking water supply, treatment, and distribution systems. Our expertise includes pipeline networks, pump stations, and storage infrastructure for municipal and industrial clients. With decades of experience managing projects from concept to completion, we ensure regulatory compliance while optimizing system efficiency and longevity.
Wastewater Engineering
Our wastewater solutions cover collection systems, treatment plants, and disposal infrastructure. We specialize in rehabilitation projects and capacity upgrades for aging systems. Our engineers apply advanced modeling tools to ensure optimal performance while meeting environmental regulations and budget constraints for public agencies.
Infrastructure Planning
We provide strategic planning for transportation networks, utilities, and public works projects. Services include highway design, stormwater management, and site development for municipal clients. Our team combines technical expertise with grant funding assistance to maximize project feasibility and community impact.
Surveying Services
Our full-service surveying division handles boundary determinations, topographic mapping, and construction staking. We employ modern technologies for precise data collection and documentation. These services support accurate project design and implementation across both public and private sector developments.
Industrial Facility Design
We specialize in civil and structural design for industrial facilities including manufacturing plants and infrastructure systems. Our engineers provide tailored solutions for process platforms, utility systems, and site-specific requirements. We maintain prequalification status with transportation departments to deliver compliant, efficient industrial projects.
People
Mike McGhee
President
Founded McGhee Engineering in 1995 after 15 years with other firms. Holds BS in Civil Engineering from University of Kentucky and MBA from University of Houston. Licensed engineer in KY, TN, and PA with extensive municipal project experience.
Chris Wilcutt
Engineer
Registered engineer in KY and TN since 1996. Specializes in municipal water systems and funding compliance. BS from University of Kentucky with dual degrees in civil engineering and engineering arts. Active in professional societies and community health boards.
Eric Harris
Engineer
Professional engineer in KY with 20+ years of experience. Specializes in public utility design and surveying. Holds BS from University of Kentucky and serves on Todd County Board of Education. Provides field-to-design expertise for water/wastewater systems.
Susan McGhee
Office Manager
Key figure in business operations since 1998. Holds BFA from Austin Peay State University. Managed firm's growth from dining room startup to established engineering practice. Oversees administrative functions while maintaining artistic pursuits.
Kayla Watkins
Engineer Trainee
Full-time engineer since 2017 with civil engineering degree from Western Kentucky University. Assists senior engineers in project design while managing company's social media and marketing. Certified concrete testing technician with community coaching involvement.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve western Kentucky and Tennessee, with project experience across municipal, industrial, and public infrastructure sectors in these regions.
Do you handle both design and construction oversight?
Yes, we provide comprehensive services from initial planning through construction administration, ensuring design intent is maintained throughout project execution.
Are your engineers licensed?
All three senior engineers hold professional licenses in Kentucky, with additional licensure in Tennessee and Pennsylvania for broader project capabilities.
How do you manage project funding?
We assist clients with securing grant funding through USDA Rural Development, CDBG, and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority programs while maintaining full compliance.
What makes you different from other firms?
Our low-overhead Kentucky base enables competitive pricing while maintaining technical excellence through reinvestment in technology and extended project development time.
What project sizes do you handle?
We've completed 50+ million-dollar projects, focusing on complex municipal and industrial systems while maintaining flexibility for smaller-scale developments.
