News

WSB Ranks #69 on Minnesota’s Largest Private Companies List

June 30, 2025

The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) has released its 2024 Minnesota’s Largest Private Companies list and WSB is proud to be ranked #69.

This annual list recognizes the top privately held companies in Minnesota, ranked by annual revenue. It highlights the strength, growth, and impact of businesses across the state.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our clients and partners; your trust and collaboration continue to drive our growth and success.

We also recognize our staff as this recognition is a direct result of the incredible work, dedication, and passion of our entire team.

View the full list: https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/subscriber-only/2025/06/12/minnesotas-largest-private-companies.html

Colorado Municipal Engineering Resource Guide

WSB is pleased to provide you with the Colorado Municipal Engineering Resource Guide. As a leader in civil engineering, planning, environmental and technology services for government agencies, we are committed to providing services that are transparent and understandable for staff and elected officials. Together, we can shape the world we live in.

Our industry frequently changes with new regulations and environmental concerns, and is full of acronyms. With this guide, we explain some of the issues that are most commonly addressed at the city council level. We hope it will be a resource for you and create opportunities for conversation that will produce a better understanding of the challenges you may face on a regular basis.
We invite you to explore this resource when you’re tasked with making engineering-related decisions.

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Bret Weiss Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Heartland Award Winner 

We are proud to announce that Bret Weiss, President and CEO of WSB, has been named a winner of the Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Heartland Award. This prestigious recognition honors leaders of high-growth companies who are redefining the future through innovation, purpose, and bold leadership. 

The Heartland region includes entrepreneurs from Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges composed of past award recipients, top CEOs, and regional business leaders. Candidates were evaluated based on long-term value creation, entrepreneurial spirit, purpose-driven leadership, and measurable impact on their industries and communities. 

For over four decades, EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year program has celebrated the visionaries who are transforming industries and creating lasting legacies. The 2025 Heartland Award recognizes Bret Weiss’s commitment to innovation, his people-first leadership philosophy, and his role in shaping WSB into a forward-thinking, technology-driven design and consulting firm. 

“These remarkable leaders exemplify what it means to grow a business while placing a strong emphasis on their employees, customers, and the communities they serve,” said Erin Donovan, EY Partner and Heartland Program Director. 

As a regional winner, Bret Weiss will now advance to the national stage, where he will be considered for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® National Awards at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November. The national winner will go on to represent the United States at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards in June 2026. 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bret on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his continued leadership and vision. 

WSB Ranks #61 on Engineering News-Record Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms 2025

June 16, 2025

We are proud to announce that WSB has been ranked #61 on the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms 2025 list.

This annual ranking by Engineering-News Record recognizes the largest U.S.-based design firms, both public and private, based on design-specific revenue. Earning a spot on this prestigious list reflects the strength of our work across the Texas and Southeast regions, and the continued growth of our presence in these markets.

This recognition reflects our continued growth, innovation, and commitment to delivering forward-thinking solutions that shape the communities we serve.

We thank our staff, partners, and clients for helping us achieve this milestone.

Texas & Southeast 2025 Top Design Firms | Engineering News-Record

Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms Saw Revenue Gains in 2024 | Engineering News-Record

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In addition to being ranked on ENR’s 2025 Texas and Southeast Top Design Firms lists, WSB is proud to be recognized nationally at #109 on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms list—highlighting our continued growth and impact across the country.

WSB Announces Key Human Resources Leadership Promotions to Strengthen Operational Efficiency and Talent Strategy

June 12, 2025

Minneapolis, Minn. – Design and consulting firm WSB is pleased to announce the promotion of two key leaders within its Human Resources division as part of a broader effort to align HR operations with the company’s continued growth and evolving workforce needs.

Sarah Rohne has been promoted to Senior Director, Talent Planning & Partnerships. She will lead both the Human Resources Business Partner team and Talent Acquisition. This newly integrated function is designed to streamline how WSB plans, attracts, and retains talent. Establishing internal mobility and strategic workforce alignment across the organization.

Caitlin Austin has been promoted to Director, Talent Performance & Development. Expanding her previous role and leadership to include both Learning & Development and Performance Management. This combined focus will help WSB drive a more cohesive approach to coaching, accountability, and career advancement.

“These promotions reflect our commitment to building a more connected and strategic HR function,” said Tara Dresen, Chief Human Resources Officer at WSB. “By aligning talent planning, performance, and development under experienced leadership, we’re creating operational efficiencies that will better support our leaders and staff at every stage of the employee journey.”

The promotions are part of a larger Human Resources team restructuring. This will introduce four key areas of focus: Talent Planning & Partnerships, Talent Performance & Development, Benefits & Wellbeing, and HRIS & Total Rewards. This structure is designed to deliver a more integrated, data-informed, and people-centered experience for all WSB employees.

WSB Promotes Monica Heil to Senior Vice President

June 10, 2024

Heil’s promotion is a testament to her strong leadership at WSB in the municipal divisions.

Minneapolis, Minn.— WSB is proud to announce the promotion of Monica Heil, PE, to the role of senior vice president of municipal services. In this expanded leadership position, Heil will oversee WSB’s municipal services across the country, extending her influence and strategic direction beyond the Midwest.  

Heil has been a driving force in WSB’s municipal growth, bringing deep technical expertise, a client-first mindset, and a passion for innovation. Her leadership has helped shape successful partnerships with cities and counties, and her vision has guided the delivery of infrastructure solutions that improve communities.  

“Monica’s promotion reflects both her outstanding talent and our confidence that she will grow municipal services nationally,” said Jon Chiglo, chief operating officer at WSB. “She has consistently demonstrated the ability to build strong teams, deliver results, and elevate the way we serve our clients.”  

In her new role, Monica Heil will lead WSB’s municipal strategy, operations, and client engagement efforts across all regions. She will focus on expanding WSB’s presence in new markets, strengthening relationships with municipal clients, and driving innovation in service delivery.  

“I’m honored to take on this new role and excited to work with our talented teams across the country,” said Heil. “Working with municipalities is where WSB began its journey 30-years ago, and I look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships that help communities thrive.”  Heil has been with WSB for 12 years and has held various leadership roles within the firm. She is a licensed professional engineer and a respected voice in the municipal engineering community.

Newsletter | Volume 7 | Issue 1

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WSB welcomes Ed Shappell as vice president of strategy-technology

Shappell’s hiring is part of the firm’s national expansion strategy while establishing itself as an industry innovator.

Denver, Colo.— WSB, a rapidly-growing design and consulting firm, today announced the addition of Ed Shappell as vice president of strategy-technology.

Shappell joins WSB with over two decades of experience in engineering, technology development and strategic innovation. His role will focus on identifying emerging technologies, driving innovative partnerships, and integrating cutting-edge solutions that enhance client services and position WSB as a leader in the industry.

In his previous position at Trimble, Ed served as Director overseeing owner and public sector workflows, where he championed construction technology-based systems for global projects. His extensive background includes a decade of experience in tech strategy and project management, coupled with remarkable success in cultivating client relationships and delivering transformative solutions.

“Ed’s visionary approach to technology and deep expertise in the industry make him the ideal leader to propel WSB’s technology strategy forward,” said Jon Chiglo, chief operating officer of WSB. “His dedication to leveraging innovation to benefit both our clients and our team aligns perfectly with our mission.”

“I am thrilled to join WSB and contribute to the firm’s outstanding legacy of client-focused innovation,” said Shappell. “Technology has the power to transform industries, and I’m excited to help WSB drive measurable growth and deliver even greater value to our clients.”

Ed’s leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring WSB’s technology investments remain ahead of industry trends, positioning the firm for future growth and success as it continues to establish a national brand. The firm now supports clients and communities from coast to coast with offices in various regions.

WSB elevates leadership in various regions

As the firm continues to expand, WSB promotes several staff to director positions.

Austin, Texas. – Fast-growing design and consulting firm WSB today announced the expansion of leadership in various regions. The architecture, engineering and construction firm is building a national brand that supports critical infrastructure across the United States.

WSB is focused on cultivating its staff’s growth to better address the unique needs of the communities it serves. By elevating current staff to director positions, the firm is strengthening leadership from within, resulting in a more collaborative environment.

Promotions in the Texas region:

Promotion in the Southeast:

“We are elevating the selected staff to director positions to harness their unique talents and expertise,” said Bret Weiss, president and CEO.

“This decision is crucial for our firm as it allows us to leverage their specialized knowledge and connections with their teams. It will enable WSB to better support our clients and communities, ensuring we deliver exceptional services and innovative solutions. By promoting these leaders, we are reinforcing our commitment to growth, collaboration, and excellence across our divisions.”

This strategy supports WSB’s growth during its national expansion. With offices in 10 states, WSB supports communities from coast to coast. Now offering more services, WSB is better equipped than ever before.

WSB ranks #6 on 2025 Hot Firm List

May 29, 2025

We are proud to announce that WSB has been named a 2025 Hot Firm by the Zweig Group – marking our twelfth consecutive year on the list and our highest ranking to date. This year we’ve climbed to #6, breaking into the top 10.

The Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List honors the fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms in the U.S. and Canada. Rankings are based on three-year growth in revenue, both in dollar and percentage terms. Firms recognized have outpaced the economy and their peers to become industry leaders. 

The Zweig Group is a leading provider of research, publishing, and advisory services for the AEC industry. The Zweig Group’s awards programs recognize and celebrate top AEC industry firms in several categories.  Award winners will be recognized at the 2025 Elevate AEC Conference in September. 

We are incredibly honored to share this milestone and grateful to our team for driving our continued growth and success.

View the complete list of Hot Firm winners. Zweig Group announces the 2025 Hot Firm List