Ardmore Roderick

“I first met Cherryl Thomas in 2016 at a Tollway meeting on the topic of diversity. As the President & CEO of Ardmore & Associates, she always carried herself with professionalism. But after catching me mutter “that’s some bull$&@!” under my breath in response to a remark, she asked, “what did you say?” Shocked, I replied, “nothing Ms. Thomas.” She smirked, then invited me to lunch. We had a couple of lunches to get to know each other, then the day before our third, I got a call from a friend and mentor, Dan, who said, "I think it’s a great idea!" I had no clue what he meant—until he spilled the beans that Cherryl wanted to talk about me buying her company. When I admitted I was interested but didn’t have the money, she simply said: “Let me help you buy me.” After a year of negotiations—walking away three times because it was overwhelming—The Roderick Group officially acquired Ardmore & Associates in 2017. When it came to naming, The Roderick Group didn’t have the same recognition, but everyone knew Ardmore & Associates. So, Ardmore Roderick was born—a name that carried weight and conveniently moved us up the alphabetical chart (fun fact: The Ardmore is the name of a dive bar on Marquette’s Campus). Strategically, the merger was a perfect fit. The Roderick Group specialized in design (Phase I & II), while Ardmore focused on Phase III construction management. Together, we could offer full-service infrastructure solutions on a larger scale. The move created capacity and enhanced capabilities, combined with our actual growth from a $6M to a $15M firm. This unlocked $25-$30M opportunities that were once out of reach. Today, Cherryl remains a mentor, leading my advisory board and continuing to assist AR in any way possible. While she’s never been an Ardmore Roderick employee, her influence has been invaluable. I was told by my friend Will that I needed to scale to be taken more seriously — this was the first of many. Why did she pick me? Maybe she could see what I couldn’t — a brighter and long-lasting future for Ardmore Roderick. And for that, I’m forever grateful.” - Ardmore Roderick’s President & CEO, Rashod R. Johnson, PE on The Roderick Group acquiring Ardmore & Associates in 2017. We're celebrating 20 incredible years! Join us on the journey as we share 20 stories over the next 20 weeks, leading up to our big 20th Anniversary Celebration on June 21st! Stay tuned! #ArdmoreRoderick #TwentyYearsandBeyond #20Storiesfor20Years #20thAnniversary

Breaking barriers and building the future! This Women in Construction Week, we’re celebrating the incredible women engineers who make a difference in the field every day. Here’s to the leaders, problem-solvers, and trailblazers shaping our world! #WomeninConstructionWeek #WIC #WICWeek #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensMonth #WomeninSTEM Joelise Jones

Celebrating the women who inspire, lead, and make history every day! Happy Women’s History Month! #WomensHistoryMonth #WomeninSTEM #FemaleEngineers #WomeninEngineering

Wishing peace, reflection, and blessings to all observing Ramadan. May this month bring you strength, compassion, and unity. Ramadan Kareem! #Ramadan #RamadanKareem

Spotlight on excellence! One of our own, Harrison W. Staley, CCM, is featured in “The Making of One Engineer,” sharing his journey and insights in the engineering world. Check out the article to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gDAN9cPf #BlackEngineers #EngineeringExcellence

Last chance to vote! Our Jackson Park Mobility Improvements Bid Package 1 Project has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, recognizing this year’s most outstanding engineering achievements by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)! Ardmore Roderick proved that large-scale infrastructure can be delivered efficiently without sacrificing quality or community trust. This forward-thinking, environmentally sustainable project has positioned Jackson Park as a safer, more accessible space for future generations. Your vote can help us secure this prestigious recognition and celebrate the amazing work we provide to our clients and communities! Vote Here: https://lnkd.in/g-ftkmz3 Deadline: February 27 Thank you for supporting Ardmore Roderick as we continue to lead engineering excellence! #ArdmoreRoderick #EngineeringExcellence #ACEC #JacksonPark

Congratulations to our President & CEO, Rashod R. Johnson, PE on receiving the CEEAA Distinguished Alumni Award from UIUC! His visionary leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to community enrichment continue to inspire us all. #Leadership #Excellence #ArdmoreRoderick

“Early on, we went after a project for a large municipal client. We were well-qualified, had the expertise, and put together a strong proposal. Yet, we didn’t win. Instead of accepting the loss, I called the client for a debrief—wanted to know what we could do better next time. When I walked into that room, the response wasn’t what I expected: ‘Who the F?$& are you?’ I answered, ‘I’m Rashod Johnson, President of The Roderick Group.’ ‘You didn’t hear my question, young man... If I or anybody here doesn’t know who the F?$& you are, you will never win any work here.’ That moment stuck with me. The lesson was clear: It’s not just about being qualified—it’s about being a known commodity. It’s about relationships. Since that day, we’ve been intentional about making Ardmore Roderick a name that people recognize, respect, and remember. Not just through statements of qualifications, but through relationships, visibility, and delivering excellence every time. If you’re building something—whether it’s a company, a career, or a brand—don’t just do the work. Make sure people KNOW who the F?$& you are.” -Ardmore Roderick’s President & CEO, Rashod R. Johnson, PE on early lessons learned. We're celebrating 20 incredible years! Join us on the journey as we share 20 stories over the next 20 weeks, leading up to our big 20th Anniversary Celebration on June 21st! Stay tuned! #ArdmoreRoderick #TwentyYearsandBeyond #20Storiesfor20Years #20thAnniversary #LessonsLearned #Growth #Leadership #Networking #ReputationMatters

In honor of National Engineer's Week, we are highlighting some of the amazing engineers at Ardmore Roderick! Christopher A. Widlak, P.E. joined Ardmore Roderick in 2005, right out of school, and has been a vital part of our team ever since. His passion for engineering started with a love for math and physics, and today, he finds the most rewarding part of his work is seeing his projects come to life—especially when he can show them to his kids! - Favorite Project: The CDOT LaSalle Congress Intermodal Transfer Center (2010) – a complex, high-impact project that serves thousands of commuters daily. - Fun Engineering Fact: Some Roman aqueducts built over 2,000 years ago are still in use today! - Fun Fact About Chris: He’s a huge soccer fan and attended two World Cup games in 1994. Now, he hopes to share that experience with his children in 2026! Join us in celebrating Chris and his incredible contributions to Ardmore Roderick! #NationalEngineersWeek #ArdmoreRoderick #EngineeringExcellence #MeetTheTeam

In honor of National Engineer's Week, we are highlighting some of the amazing engineers at Ardmore Roderick! AuraLia joined Ardmore Roderick in July 2023, bringing a passion for engineering that started with their father’s work in steel building manufacturing. Today, they're fascinated by watching projects come together—especially bridges! - Favorite Project: The US20/I39 Interchange Modernization – building and demolishing five bridges in just a year and a half! - Fun Engineering Fact: Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper! - Fun Fact About Auralia: They chose their last name because it’s the name of the Northern Star! We’re proud to have AuraLia on our team, helping to build the future one project at a time. #NationalEngineersWeek #ArdmoreRoderick #EngineeringExcellence #MeetTheTeam