James Lowe Joins WSB as Director of Municipal Services – Texas

Lowe will focus on identifying key clients and pursuits with Texas municipal clients.

Design and consulting firm WSB announced today that James Lowe joined the organization as its new director of municipal services. Lowe joins the firm’s Austin office where he will lead WSB’s expansion of municipal services across Texas.

Lowe has over 20 years of experience with environmental and municipal services. In his new role, he will develop strategies to elevate and grow clients, pursue key municipal projects, and hire talent in regions and municipalities across Texas with significant growth opportunities. He will also serve as a technical resource for Transportation Planning and NEPA/Environmental pursuits and projects.

“James’ experience will be vital to our growth in Texas,” said WSB vice president of Texas operations Jay Kennedy. “He is well-known for his municipal experience throughout the central Texas region, and we are eager for him to lead and help grow WSB’s footprint across the state and country.”

Prior to joining WSB, Lowe was the division manager and Texas NEPA group manager/Austin office manager for Atkins North America. Throughout his career, he has held multiple environmental roles in the state of Texas, providing oversight, conducting environmental studies, and servings as project director on a variety of projects. He also led business development activities and proposal development.

“I’m excited to join WSB at this time in their growth story,” said Lowe. “There are a lot of opportunities for us to proactively support our clients, and I am ready to jump in to help meet their infrastructure needs.”

WSB expanded operations into Texas in 2017. Over the last four years, the firm has worked closely with clients to provide engineering, planning, environmental, and construction services throughout the state to both the public and private sectors. Lowe’s strategic hire adds to WSB’s momentum in the state and will help to grow client and partner relationships to support their infrastructure needs.

WSB Receives International Award for Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River Digital Delivery Project

WSB was recognized by Bentley Systems, a software company used by the architecture, engineering and construction industry around the world.

Bentley Systems

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that they were internationally recognized for their work on the Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project. The project was the first in the state to be delivered to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) through paperless plans. WSB was selected by Bentley Systems as a Founder’s Honoree at the 2021 Year in Infrastructure (YII) and Going Digital Awards.

“To be recognized as not only a national leader, but a global leader in our space, is a tremendous honor,” said Bret Weiss, President and CEO of WSB. “We are proud of how our staff have embraced the push into technology and advanced solutions. We made a commitment to be a leader in our industry and this international award is a testament to our collective commitment to that goal.”

Bentley Systems is a software development company that supports the professional needs of those responsible for creating and managing the world’s infrastructure, including roadways, bridges, airports, skyscrapers, and industrial and power plants, as well as utility networks.

“The TH 169 project in Elk River is the pattern that I hope will get repeated throughout the United States,” said Keith Bentley, founder and chief technology officer of Bentley Systems.

The Founder’s Honoree award recognizes special projects, individuals or organizations that have set the precedent for infrastructure projects going digital, for environmental / social achievements or advancing the infrastructure profession. The YII is a global event, hosted by Bentley, for executives and practitioners in the world of infrastructure design, construction and operations, who are focused on best practices in technologies for going digital.

“We are proud of this award and look forward to continuing to advance our project delivery now and in the future,” said Jon Chiglo, WSB’s COO. “We will keep moving forward and we’ll continue to drive fast in our industry to set the bar when it comes to technology and supporting our clients and partners with cutting-edge solutions.”

The Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project will redesign and reconstruct three miles of Highway 169 to a new freeway system through Elk River. WSB is responsible for delivering the final design. The project is a partnership project with MnDOT, the city of Elk River and Sherburne County.