Scott Herdic — Newnan, Georgia
Photos of Scott Herdic
A look at Scott Herdic beyond the engineering work — distance running, the Boston Marathon, skiing, equestrian sport, international mission trips, and travel.
Engineer · Inventor · Licensed PE · Newnan, Georgia
Georgia Tech-trained mechanical engineer, Licensed Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering, and co-inventor of three US patent filings assigned to Chick-fil-A. Based in Newnan, Georgia.
About
I'm a Georgia Tech-trained mechanical engineer who has spent my career at Chick-fil-A's Corporate Support Center in the Atlanta area, working to solve complex operational challenges through creative engineering and systematic thinking.
But the path here wasn't straight. Fresh out of graduate school, I co-founded Arco Engineering, Inc. in Tyrone, Georgia — a multi-discipline engineering firm offering structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering services. For nearly 8 years we served projects ranging from residential construction to major hospital expansions, designed custom lifting devices for manufacturing lines, and innovated food service kitchen equipment. That hands-on entrepreneurial experience — building something from nothing and sustaining it — shaped how I approach every engineering challenge today.
One credential I'm particularly proud of is my Georgia Professional Engineer license in Electrical Engineering — an unusual achievement for someone with two mechanical engineering degrees, and a reflection of the broad technical challenges I've embraced throughout my career.
I believe the best engineering solutions come from genuinely caring about the people you're serving — whether that's a restaurant operator, a team member, or a customer waiting in line.
Intellectual Property
Scott Herdic is a co-inventor on three US patent filings in automated food systems technology, all assigned to Chick-fil-A / CFA Properties Inc. The summaries below preview each filing — visit the patents page for full details and inventor context.
US11896045B2
Automated food preparation apparatus featuring a flow channel that uniformly distributes coating material around food items during processing.
View Details → Pending · InternationalUS20250017421A1
Modular mobile fryer with cooking vessels, heated oil reservoir, and fluid conduit network. International PCT filing with 4 citations.
View Details → Pending · Feb 2026US20260047721A1
Pressure-sealed cooking chambers with gantry and gripper mechanism — fully automating the commercial pressure-frying cycle.
View Details →Published Research
Scott Herdic's published research at the Georgia Institute of Technology centered on piezo-hydraulic actuation systems and smart materials — including SPIE Proceedings papers and graduate thesis work on helicopter trailing edge flap actuation. The titles below preview each publication; visit the research page for authors, abstracts, and links.
Credentials & Education
Two degrees in Mechanical Engineering from one of the nation's premier engineering universities, providing the foundation for a career in complex systems design and automation.
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia state Licensed PE in Electrical Engineering — a rare distinction for a mechanical engineer, reflecting a breadth of technical expertise that spans traditional disciplinary boundaries.
State of Georgia · Electrical Engineering
Co-founded and led a multi-discipline engineering firm in Tyrone, Georgia straight out of graduate school. For nearly 8 years, Arco delivered structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering services across construction projects ranging from residential builds to major hospital expansions. Also designed and manufactured custom lifting devices for manufacturing lines and innovated food service kitchen equipment — the direct precursor to his work at Chick-fil-A.
Tyrone, Georgia · Founded 2006 · 2006–2014
Co-inventor on three US patent filings in automated food systems technology, all assigned to Chick-fil-A / CFA Properties Inc. One granted patent, two pending applications including an international PCT filing.
USPTO · CFA Properties Inc · 2021–2026
Engineer at one of America's most admired companies, working on the operational and equipment engineering challenges that enable Chick-fil-A restaurants to serve millions of customers daily.
Newnan, Georgia
Across Arco Engineering and Chick-fil-A, Scott has practiced structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering — an unusually broad technical range reflected in his PE license outside his degree discipline.
Structural · Mechanical · Electrical
Beyond Engineering
A follower of Jesus whose faith shapes how he shows up at work, at home, and in the world. Church has always been a cornerstone of his life and community.
Proud father of daughters — a role that matters more than any professional achievement.
Served two years as a middle school boys small group leader and taught Sunday School for middle and high school students — investing in the next generation through faith, mentorship, and presence.
Marathon and 5K competitor who finds clarity, discipline, and perspective on long training runs.
International mission trips that have shaped his worldview and deepened his commitment to serving others beyond his immediate community.
Co-founded Arco Engineering straight out of graduate school and built it into a thriving multi-discipline engineering firm over nearly 8 years — proof that his instinct has always been to build, not just execute.
Running & Racing
Scott Herdic has competed in the Boston Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Publix Atlanta Marathon, and a range of 5K, 10K, and 15K races throughout Georgia. Highlights below — visit the running page for the full race-by-race table with finish times and per-race results links.
3:07:37
Marathon PR
Marine Corps Marathon · 2019
19:06
5K PR
Race For The Orphans · 2022
Boston
World Marathon Major
126th Boston Marathon · 2022
9+
Documented Races
2018 — present on Athlinks
Scott Herdic — Newnan, Georgia
A look at Scott Herdic beyond the engineering work — distance running, the Boston Marathon, skiing, equestrian sport, international mission trips, and travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Scott Herdic — engineer, inventor, Licensed Professional Engineer, and distance runner based in Newnan, Georgia.
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