2016 40 Under 40: Sam Claxton, PE, FPE, 37

Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Partner, CMTA Inc., Lexington, Ky. BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee

By Jack Smith, Content Manager, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 16, 2016

Sam Claxton, PE, FPE, 37

Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Partner, CMTA Inc., Lexington, Ky.

BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee

After earning his degree, Claxton joined Smith Seckman Reid (SSR) as a mechanical engineer in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. While at SSR, he designed major sporting arenas, convention centers, laboratories, hospitals, and educational and institutional facilities. After nearly a decade in Nashville, Claxton accepted an offer from CMTA and moved to Lexington, Ky., in 2010 to create designs that offer sustainability and high performance. One of these projects is a $200 million renovation for Baptist Hospital in Lexington, where he designed the largest heat-recovery central plant in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Claxton became a partner at CMTA in 2015. He continues to provide excellent designs while maintaining a strong rapport with clients. He also takes mentoring seriously; he truly enjoys watching the successes of younger engineers. Claxton and his wife, Beth, are very active in their church. He frequently spends weekends serving in various capacities around the church. The Claxton family has partnered with a church in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago to minister to the needs of inner-city families. They have collected and distributed food, gifts, and other essential items to that community. Outside of work, Claxton focuses on his family, faith, traveling, and sports. He has been a member of intramural basketball teams after playing basketball for many years through school. He also enjoys watching, playing, and coaching many different sports. He and Beth seek opportunities to take their children on bike rides and hikes through the woods, as well as to merely play ball in the backyard.