News

Bret Weiss Named Inaugural Honoree of Finance & Commerce’s C‑Level Awards 

February 6, 2026

WSB is proud to announce that Bret Weiss, President & CEO, has been selected as an inaugural honoree of Finance & Commerce’s C‑Level Awards. This recognition celebrates Minnesota business leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, vision and a strong commitment to excellence and community engagement. 

Throughout his career, Bret has championed WSB’s mission to deliver innovative, future‑focused infrastructure solutions that support strong, resilient communities. His dedication to building what’s next through technology, collaboration and a people‑first culture aligns directly with the values recognized by the C‑Level Awards and reinforces the purposeful leadership that drives WSB forward. 

As part of this honor, Bret will be profiled in the C‑Level Awards publication and recognized during the awards and networking event on April 9, 2026, at Quincy Hall in Minneapolis. 

“I’m honored to be included among leaders who reflect values so closely aligned with WSB’s mission,” said Weiss. “This recognition reinforces the meaningful work we’re doing together to shape a stronger, more resilient future.” 

As a longstanding and respected source for regional business news, Finance & Commerce plays an important role in highlighting leaders who shape Minnesota’s economic and community landscape. Their C‑Level Awards honor individuals whose leadership and values reflect the qualities that strengthen organizations and the communities they serve. Being recognized by an organization so deeply connected to the region makes this distinction especially meaningful for WSB, underscoring the alignment between the award’s purpose and our mission‑driven approach. 

WSB congratulates Bret on this meaningful achievement and celebrates the impact his mission‑driven leadership continues to have across our company and the industry. 

WSB Promotes Cody Hans to Director, Contract Administration 

WSB elevates Hans to support growing contract administration operations and strengthen leadership in North Texas 

Melissa, Texas— WSB, a fast-growing design and consulting firm, today announced the promotion of Cody Hans to director, contract administration. His leadership and deep industry expertise will advance the firm’s contract administration operations in Texas.  

Hans previously served as a senior project manager, leading personnel on the $600 million I-35 project and contributing to strategic pursuits across the region. As director, he will oversee multiple project pursuits, lead contract review and negotiation efforts, and expand his responsibilities in staff management and project oversight.  

“Moving into a people-manager role is an exciting step,” Hans said. “I’m looking forward to cultivating a strong team mentality, supporting our staff and helping pursue new projects that continue the culture of excellence I’ve experienced at WSB.”  

Hans was selected for the promotion based on his industry experience, leadership style and ability to strengthen the division. His experience managing large-scale transportation projects combined with his collaborative approach will help WSB better support its clients.  

“Cody brings exceptional value to our team,” said Mykol Woodruff, vice president, contract administration. “His management style, industry knowledge and ability to build strong partnerships make him a natural fit for this leadership role. He understands how other firms operate, and his expertise positions us exceptionally well for continued growth in North Texas.” 

WSB continues to strengthen leadership across the country as the firm expands its national presence. The firm now hosts offices in over 10 states and supports projects and communities from coast-to-coast.  

WSB Expands Expertise in Water, Construction, and Power Delivery and Design Through Strategic Acquisitions  

The firm welcomes seasoned leaders to advance infrastructure solutions nationwide. 

Minneapolis, Minn. – WSB, a fast-growing design and consulting firm, announced the addition of key leaders following the recent acquisitions of CAS Consulting & Services (CAS), Agbara Engineering (Agbara) and NEO Virtus Engineering (NEO Virtus). The expansion of the leadership team enhances WSB’s expertise in water, wastewater, resources, construction management, power delivery and power design, supporting its commitment to comprehensive infrastructure solutions nationwide. 

CAS Leadership Joining WSB: 

• Channy Soeur, Senior Vice President, Water/Wastewater  

• Gail Hamrick-Pigg, Director, Water/Wastewater 

• Henry Leighton, Vice President, Construction Management 

• Jesse Penn, Senior Director, Water/Wastewater & Water Resources 

• Stephanie Blew, Director, Water Resources 

Agbara Leadership Joining WSB: 

• Jamil Newell, Vice President, Power Delivery 

• Craig Cameron, Director, Transmission & Distribution 

• Jon Hauser, Director, Business Development 

• Syed Rizvi, Director, Project Management 

NEO Virtus Leadership Joining WSB: 

• James Bing, Vice President, Distributed Energy Resources 

• Michael Hendrickson, Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources 

• Griffin Anderson, Director, Distributed Energy Resources 

By combining CAS’s expertise in water and construction, Agbara’s specialized knowledge in power delivery and transmission, and NEO Virtus’s background in photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system design— WSB is positioned to better serve communities and clients across multiple markets. These acquisitions align with WSB’s long-term strategy to expand into new markets and provide innovative solutions for critical infrastructure projects. 

“Our acquisitions of CAS, Agbara, and Neo Virtus reflect WSB’s commitment to investing in exceptional talent and expanding our service offerings,” said Bret Weiss, WSB president and CEO. “These leaders bring deep knowledge and experience that will strengthen our practices and help us deliver even greater value to our clients.” 

Founded in 1995, WSB has grown from a single office in Minnesota to a national firm offering services in more than 50 complementary areas. With the addition of CAS, Agbara and NEO Virtus, WSB continues to expand its footprint and capabilities to support infrastructure projects across the U.S.  These companies will form a single go-to-market approach as WSB in early 2026. 

Paul Kyle Promoted to Director, Contract Administration at WSB

The firm is elevating internal leadership to strengthen its contract administration group. 

Minneapolis, MN— WSB, a fast-growing design and consulting firm, today announced the promotion of Paul Kyle to director, contract administration.   

In his new role, Kyle will oversee metro-area contract administration staff, support business development efforts, and strengthen the firm’s construction offerings across the region.   

“As our construction services division continues to grow, Paul is the right leader to help drive expansion across the metro and surrounding regions,” said Craig Alberg, vice president, construction. “His experience, steady leadership and commitment to our staff and clients will help create new opportunities for our teams and strengthen our organization.”  

Kyle was selected for the role due to his strong leadership within WSB and the broader industry, as well as his deep expertise in construction services. With 16 years at the firm, Kyle has grown professionally within WSB and continues to champion the company’s longstanding approach to quality, service and client relationships.  

“I’m excited for the opportunity to take on additional leadership and support the continued growth of our division,” Kyle said. “There is so much momentum across the metro and beyond. I’m looking forward to working with new staff, helping people grow in their careers, and supporting infrastructure projects in our communities.”  

This promotion reflects WSB’s focus on developing strong internal leaders who can support its growing national presence. The firm now operates from offices in 10 states, delivering work for clients across the U.S. 

WSB Announces Acquisition of NEO Virtus Engineering

NEO Virtus strengthens WSB’s power division with new services and expertise. 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — WSB LLC (“WSB”), one of the nation’s fastest-growing infrastructure engineering and consulting firms, today announced the acquisition of NEO Virtus Engineering (“NEO Virtus” or the “Firm”), a specialized engineering consulting firm with deep expertise in photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system design. This strategic addition strengthens WSB’s ability to support the full lifecycle of power/energy infrastructure for clients across the country. 

“The acquisition of NEO Virtus Engineering marks a pivotal moment in WSB’s journey to build a national power/energy practice,” said Bret Weiss, WSB’s president and chief executive officer. “NEO Virtus’s technical excellence in PV, energy storage, and power system engineering perfectly complements our existing capabilities and allows us to deliver more comprehensive, future-focused solutions to our clients. Together, we’re expanding our services, empowering our teams, and positioning WSB as a leader in the power and energy space. I’m incredibly excited about what we’ll build together.” 

NEO Virtus Engineering, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts, brings a highly skilled team with a reputation for collaboration, efficiency, and reliability—especially in navigating complex interconnection challenges in emerging solar markets. The Firm’s core services include PV and energy storage system design, owner’s engineering, power system studies, protection and control engineering, witness testing, and solar analytics. 

“Joining WSB is an exciting step forward for NEO Virtus Engineering,” said Jim Bing, president of NEO Virtus. “We’ve always believed in engineering with purpose, and now we have the opportunity to scale that impact alongside a firm that shares our values and vision. This partnership gives our clients access to expanded services and deeper resources, while our staff gain new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we’re building something bigger—an energy practice that’s positioned to lead and evolve with the future.” 

With the addition of NEO Virtus, WSB expands its technical bench and geographic reach, offering clients enhanced expertise in solar and energy storage, as well as robust operational support in human resources, marketing, project management, and IT. The integration will create new pathways for professional development and upward mobility for staff, while reinforcing WSB’s commitment to delivering elevated service and innovative solutions. 

WSB and NEO Virtus will unify their market strategy as WSB in early 2026. This marks WSB’s sixth acquisition in two years and further expands WSB’s expertise across transportation, engineering, power, water resources, and construction management.

Matias Mendez Larrain Appointed to TRB Geomaterials Committee

Congratulations to Matias Mendez Larrain, Ph.D., P.E., our Director of Geotechnical and Pavement Services, on his appointment to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Geomaterials Behavior and Properties (AKH19).

The TRB—part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—is internationally recognized for shaping transportation research, innovation, and policy. In his three-year term with the AKH19 Committee, Matias will contribute to advancing the understanding of geomaterials’ mechanical, physical, and chemical properties to support improved infrastructure design, construction, and long-term performance.

WSB names Jeremy Sumner director, enterprise application and services

His hiring will support the firm as it continues to build a national brand. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — WSB, fast-growing design and consulting firm, today announced that Jeremy Sumner has joined the firm as director, enterprise applications and services.   

In this role, Sumner will lead efforts to strengthen WSB’s enterprise technology systems, improve operational efficiency, and build strategic partnerships across business units to ensure technology empowers the work that matters most.  

Sumner is an accomplished senior IT executive with more than 15 years of global experience leading IT operations, enterprise cloud migrations, cybersecurity, and M&A integrations. His expertise spans business continuity planning, digital transformation, and stakeholder communication. Before joining WSB, Sumner held leadership roles in information technology and application management at other organizations.  

“I’m excited to join WSB and help build a strong technology foundation that supports growth and innovation,” Sumner said. “The culture here aligns with my values, and I’m energized by WSB’s vision to leverage technology as a strategic partner for the business.”  

John Mackiewicz, vice president, technology, shared, “Jeremy’s inspiring leadership, depth of technical experience, and alignment with our culture make him an outstanding addition to our team. His work will strengthen our division and lay the groundwork for advanced capabilities.”  

WSB promotes Shannon Gwost to director, contract administration

Additional leadership in the contract administration group will support the firm and strengthen the region. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.— Fast-growing design and consulting firm WSB today announced that Shannon Gwost has been promoted to director, contract administration.  

Having been with the firm for 10 years, Gwost has grown with WSB while establishing a national brand. As director, Gwost will now oversee three offices throughout the region including Baxter, Fargo and St. Cloud.  

Craig Alberg, vice president, construction, said, “Shannon has been a leader in Minnesota’s central region for several years. His extensive expertise in both design and construction has been key in delivering outstanding service to our clients. We appreciate Shannon’s dedication and contributions, which have strengthened our team and enhanced our reputation for technical excellence.” 

Gwost’s expertise will be critical as WSB continues to expand its contract administration services. His mentorship will support the firm’s staff as it continues to deliver infrastructure projects that serve its communities.  

“I am honored to take on this leadership role and continue supporting our team and clients in new ways,” said Gwost. “WSB’s growth and commitment to excellence have inspired me throughout my career here, and I look forward to helping drive our contract administration group forward, fostering collaboration, and building on our strong foundation for the future.” 

WSB Hires Kevin G. Anderson, PE, DBIA as Vice President, Structures

Anderson joining WSB strengthens the firm’s focus on structural engineering as it continues to expand nationally.  

MINNEAPOLIS — Dec. 4, 2025 — WSB, forward-thinking design and consulting firm, announced today that Kevin G. Anderson. PE, DBIA has joined as vice president, structures. Anderson brings more than 30 years of structural engineering experience and a track record of delivering complex transportation projects across the Upper Midwest.  

In his new role, Anderson will manage WSB’s structures practice and partner with colleagues nationwide to advance the firm’s structural engineering capabilities. He will collaborate closely with WSB teams in Oklahoma and Texas to support growth initiatives while anchoring leadership in Minnesota.  

“WSB is investing in structural excellence to drive safer, more resilient transportation systems,” said Travis Wieber, vice president, transportation. “Kevin’s experience and leadership will help us deliver innovation and quality for our clients across the country.”  

“I’m excited to join WSB and build on the firm’s momentum,” Anderson said. “We’ll strengthen our structures practice, support project teams regionally and nationally, and keep our focus on outcomes that matter for communities.” 

Anderson led the design of major projects in Minnesota including the rehabilitation of the Smith Avenue High Bridge in St. Paul and the I-494 Airport to TH 169 Design-Build Project. Additionally, Anderson has partnered with WSB on several high-profile efforts prior to his hiring, including major corridor improvements and bridge work for the TH 169 Redefine Project in Elk River and the TH 10/75 11^th Street Underpass Project in Moorhead.

Newsletter | Volume 7 | Issue 2