Month: April 2025

Starting a sustainable cycle

A virtual webinar on launching sustainable initiatives.

Organizations of all types and sizes are taking a more proactive stance on sustainability issues to meet evolving customer needs and making sustainably minded changes that can increase their revenue, reduce costs and build new markets and service. But for many one question complicates their efforts; how to get started?

In partnership with Finance & Commerce, WSB recently hosted a virtual webinar that provided examples of sustainable processes and how they came to be.

Panelists included:

• Bryan Baer, City Administrator, City of Hugo, MN
• Steve Compton, CFO and EVP at Sevana Bioenergy
• Bruce Loney, Board Manager, Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District
• Moderated by: Amy Fredregill, Director of Sustainability, WSB

During the webinar, our panelists led us through their proactive approaches to sustainability initiatives including:

• How the city of Hugo is using less water and reducing costs despite its growing population
• How a dairy farm is increasing their revenue by making and selling biogas
• How mitigating invasive carp is leading to improved water quality in a Watershed District

Watch the webinar

Download the presentation

For more information on sustainability, contact Amy Fredregill.

WSB places #58 on Zweig’s Hot Firm List

WSB was recently named a 2021 Hot Firm by the Zweig Group for the eighth consecutive year. The list honors the fastest growing firms in the AEC industry in the U.S. and Canada.  Firms are ranked based on three-year growth in revenue, by both percentage and dollar growth.  WSB ranks #58 on this year’s list, climbing 14 spots from 2020.

Hot Firm #58

The Zweig Group is the leading research, publishing, and advisory services resource for firms in the AEC industry.  The Zweig Group’s awards programs recognize and celebrate top AEC industry firms in several categories.  Winners will be recognized at the 2021 Elevate AEC Conference in November.

View the complete list of Hot Firm Winners.

COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Assistance

By Andi Moffatt, Vice President of Environmental Services, WSB

As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread through the country, WSB was called on by the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to assist in COVID-19 testing logistics. As project managers in the AEC industry, our team is used to working under pressure – and this task was no exception. We welcomed the chance to assist the state in testing Minnesotans and to do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

A LARGE EFFORT THAT SPANNED ACROSS THE STATE.

The size and scale of this project was enormous. Representatives from the state, cities, counties, local public health organizations and staff at the vaccination and testing venues came together as a coalition to get this project off the ground and operational. To support these efforts, several WSB team members from across the company stepped in to assist on the emergency contract to set-up and manage the logistics of the state’s no barrier COVID-19 testing sites. We provided project management, IT, site mapping and drone photography, visual documentation and information gathering, and general logistics on behalf of the state.

GETTING MINNESOTANS VACCINATED.

As vaccines became available throughout the state, the SEOC asked WSB to manage the logistics associated with COVID-19 vaccine sites. We continue to work behind the scenes to help Minnesotans get vaccinated.

TACKLING CHALLENGES HEAD ON.

This project has been rewarding for many of us at WSB. It reinforces our commitment to supporting our communities and the challenges they face, no matter what they may be. Internally, we’ve also reminded ourselves that nothing is too big for us to tackle together and that we will work across departments, teams and offices to deliver for our clients.

“We are honored to have been able to play a role in such a dedicated, committed and passionate network across the state,” said Andi Moffatt, vice president of environmental services. “Public health is a priority, and we will continue to work with the state and our local communities to help deliver this critical support.”

Andi is a Vice President with more than 23 years of experience leading people and projects that include planning, environmental, energy, highway, natural resources, construction and development. She oversees our Environmental services and approaches her work with passion and positivity.

[email protected] | 763.287.7196

United States Postal Remediation Efforts

In the wake of the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, the United States Postal Service (USPS) experienced significant damage to two post offices in south Minneapolis.

WSB’s Environmental Remediation and Structures team assisted USPS with their emergency response and environmental and structural needs. Our team worked to identify and analyze any potentially harmful materials that may have been released into the environment that could pose an immediate risk to emergency responders, the public or postal workers.

Riots and protests in the area brought many U.S. Marshalls, Secret Service agents and FBI investigators to the scene. Determining the structural and environmental safety of the buildings was paramount to USPS’s emergency response. The structures were deemed a total loss and the team identified many hazardous materials caused by the fire and destruction of the buildings. USPS is currently in the process of rebuilding one of their facilities and performing environmental clean-up at both sites. Our team will continue to partner with USPS on several other environmental clean-up projects throughout the Midwest.

WSB to deliver first set of paperless design plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation

The multi-dimensional designs are for the Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that they will deliver the first set of fully digital paperless design plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).  The paperless plans will be delivered later this summer for the Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project.

“The 3D Design Model has allowed us to see the design in a whole new light. We are able see design changes on the fly that provides MnDOT with greater flexibility in the decision-making process,” said MnDOT’s Darren Nelson, Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project manager.

Historically, the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) industry has been paper-heavy with many DOTs across the nation still requiring traditional plans. The transition to paperless is impacting the entire AEC industry, including DOTs, general contractors and civil engineers.

For the project, WSB advanced the methods and procedures used to implement a Building Information Modeling (BIM) design approach. The approach will result in improved project cost, better risk management and improved quality. The BIM model is built from available data and is highly accurate. The model creates a seamless workflow from design through construction and will import information to the field digitally resulting in efficiencies and better communication.  Once construction is complete, the project is left with an as-built, accurate model that can be used for asset management in the future.

“As engineers, we are motivated by the opportunities to design infrastructure projects that support our communities and this project is no exception,” said Jon Chiglo, WSB’s chief operating officer. “It’s very rewarding to partner with MnDOT to shape the way our entire industry will deliver projects. Based on the benefits, digital delivery is the future and it’s exciting that WSB is leading these efforts.”

To date, the combination of the 3D BIM Model, 4D Model and 5D Cost Structure within a digital design environment has led to many cost savings and benefits even before construction has begun. The true, virtual representation of what will be built has allowed stakeholders to easily review the project impacts.

MnDOT received special funding to convert Highway 169 from the Mississippi River to 197^th Ave. to a freeway system through Elk River. The project will convert four at-grade intersections into interchanges and will modify the access of the Highway 169 and Highway 10 interchange. WSB is responsible for delivering the final design.

WSB named one of the Top 175 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune

WSB is honored to be named one of the Top 175 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune – ranking #28 on the top Midsize Employers list.  For eight years, we have received this prestigious honor, recognizing the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction.

We are extremely grateful to our WSB team who inspire each other to discover thoughtful and creative solutions for our clients.  Together, we look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow. From the beginning, we’ve been firm believers that culture drives results and we’re proud of our staff who continue to help us forge ahead. We want to take a moment to publicly thank our staff for strengthening our culture.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to creating an environment where our staff feel valued, have fulfilling work and feel like they belong.

Newsletter | Special Edition: Celebrating 25 Years

Bret Weiss, WSB president & CEO, 2020 recipient of ACEC MN’s President’s Award

Bret Weiss, WSB’s President and CEO, was presented the 2020 President’s Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies – Minnesota Chapter (ACEC MN). 

Weiss’ involvement in ACEC MN extends beyond their annual membership program. His extensive background in engineering and leadership in the Minnesota business community has created many opportunities for a strong partnership to be forged. Weiss is committed to the advancement of infrastructure to support our communities and it’s through a commitment to strong partnerships and collaboration that this work is possible. 

The President’s Award recognizes an individual annually who has made a significant contribution to ACEC MN’s organization.

WSB raises over $100,000 for local community charities

The consulting firm’s WSB Gives program has raised nearly $500,000 since 2012.

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that they have raised $104,895 for local charities as part of their annual WSB Gives program, surpassing last year’s donation by over $25,000.

The WSB Gives program supports local community organizations throughout the firm’s office locations in Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas and Colorado.  The donations benefit several organizations including Second Harvest Heartland, Channel One Food Bank, Friends in Need Food Shelf, 360 Communities, Catholic Charities, Houston Food Bank, Operation Sandwich, Food Bank of the Rockies, , Austin Food Bank, Every Meal and more.

“Supporting those in need throughout the communities we serve is more important now than ever,” said WSB’s president and CEO Bret Weiss. “Everyone has a little more against them right now and despite it all, we rallied and raised a record high. I am so proud of our staff’s commitment to charitable giving and am truly humbled by their generosity.”

WSB Gives is part of WSB’s overall charitable giving program called WSB Cares. This year, WSB staff contributed to WSB Gives through volunteering, cash donations, nonperishable food and clothing donations, a virtual auction and a raffle.

Since 2012, WSB has partnered with the Engineering CEOs of Minnesota to compete against one another in the annual food drive. This event is an opportunity for the industry to focus their competitive spirts on raising money for those in need. Collectively, the group has raised over $272,000 this year and nearly $2 million since 2012 for over 40 charities and food shelves.

Four WSB staff members pass Professional Engineer exam

WSB is pleased to congratulate four team members who recently passed their Professional Engineer exam in Minnesota. The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is an examination required to become a Professional Engineer in the United States. To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, have at least four years of relevant work experience and pass two intensive competency exams.

According to the Society of Women Engineers, only 13 percent of engineers in the workforce today are women. We are proud to announce that three of WSB’s newest Professional Engineers are women.

Congratulations!

Kendra Fallon, PE

Kendra Fallon is part of WSB’s water resources team where she assists in the design, implementation and review of stormwater systems. She joined WSB nearly three years ago and has a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering.

Mallori Fitzpatrick, PE

Mallori Fitzpatrick joined WSB’s transportation team nearly six year ago.  In her role, she focuses on traffic impact studies, analyzes crash data, forecasts traffic volumes, as well as signing, striping, and lighting design plans. She also writes Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) reports and model traffic simulations.

Laura Rescorla, PE

Laura Rescorla is part of WSB’s water resources team where she designs storm water systems and protects natural resources. In addition to her work as a civil engineer, Laura also leads WSB’s technical career pathway program called Opportunity+.

Philip Schanilec, PE

Philip has been part of WSB’s construction services team for four years.  He specializes in bridge construction, most recently assisting on the 35W River Bridge Replacement project in Burnsville, MN. He has assisted on several large-scale projects throughout the state including the TH 75 project in Moorhead and the Steele County Bridges Design Build project.