News

WSB places #42 on Zweig’s Hot Firm List

WSB was recently named a 2022 Hot Firm by the Zweig Group for the ninth 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 growth. WSB ranks #42 on this year’s list, climbing 16 spots from 2021.

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.

WSB named one of the Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune

WSB is honored to be named one of the Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune – ranking #52 on the top Midsize Employers list. For nine years, we have received this prestigious honor, recognizing the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction.

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. Together, we look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities tomorrow.

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Join our Top Workplace! Learn about our career opportunities here.

Zweig Group honors WSB with Marketing Excellence Awards

The Zweig Group, the leading research, publishing and advisory services resource for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, has honored WSB with three awards in marketing.

Every year, the organization offers an awards program that specifically recognizes outstanding work within the AEC industry throughout North America.

Marketing Excellence Awards

Zweig recently announced winners for the 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards for outstanding, results-driven marketing. Zweig awards the top three firms in each possible category. WSB ranked first place in two categories and second in another.

Award entries are judged by a team of marketing professionals and evaluated based upon overall creativity, messaging, results achieved by the campaign, and level of design.

New Hire Box | Recruitment / Retention Communication | First Place and People’s Choice Award

At WSB, we have six main divisions that our services fall into.  Rather than get into the weeds of the 30+ different services we offer and overwhelm our audience, we focused on our divisions to help guide the content.  Within the new hire box, there are six items that each represent a division at WSB.  To help tell the story, we created a new hire booklet that is included in each Welcome Box. The book also includes a welcome message from our CEO with tips on how to be successful at WSB, our mission and our values.  Not only do the items help us communicate our divisions, but they also help the new hire already feel part of the WSB community when they walk through the door on their first day for onboarding. 

2021 Year In Review | Internal Newsletter | First Place

Since 2009, WSB has published our annual Year in Review The goal is simple – to tell the story of WSB to our staff. In recent years, we have grown significantly both in staff size and geography.  The stories of how we’re building what’s next in infrastructure across the country are important for our staff to hear.

Every year, we explore a different way to tell WSB’s story of the last year.  We’ve told our story through our geographies, divisions, service areas, etc.  We rebranded in 2018 and since then, our five values have become a strong communications tool.  This year, we wanted to tell the WSB story through these five values to reinforce that we bring our values into our work. We are Bold, Visionary, Optimistic, Authentic and Passionate. The content was guided by these values.

Special Edition DigitalPlus | External Newsletter | Second Place

Twice a year, WSB publishes an external newsletter. For over 10 years, WSB has mailed a newsletter highlighting projects, innovations, techniques and news. We feel there is still value in a well-done printed piece.  Our WSB External newsletter typically follow a standard content format. With the introduction of DigitalPlus, we created a special edition because we’re introducing a new brand, while also straying from our typical standard format. The special edition newsletter allows us to plant a flag in the ground and tell the story of our commitment to advanced project delivery.

People’s Choice Award

WSB was awarded the People’s Choice Marketing Excellence Award at the Zweig ElevateAEC Conference in Las Vegas for the firm’s New Hire Box. The People’s Choice Marketing Excellence Award is chosen by conference attendees and is based on votes received for all first place Marketing Excellence Award winners in every category.

The complete list of Marketing Excellence Winners can be accessed here: Marketing Excellence Award (zweiggroup.com)

Newsletter | Volume 4 | Issue 1 | 2022

WSB Announces Expansion of Forestry Management Services, Hires Emily Ball as Forestry Program Manager

Today WSB, a leading engineering and consulting firm, announced the expansion of their Forestry Management services along with the hiring of Emily Ball as forestry program manager.

The expanded service area of Forestry Management will support clients to maximize their forestry efforts by leveraging all available resources from technology and grants to industry standard best-management practices. Clients will benefit from proactive, long-term planning related to available forestry resources including forest and urban forest management planning, emerald ash borer prevention and planning, and wildfire and community forest storm mitigation. 

“There is so much potential that comes with the expansion of this service area for our firm, and most importantly, for our clients,” said Ball. “The future of our industry is about sustainability, community well-being, and being proactive in management and planning of our green infrastructure. WSB is leading the way within the industry, and I look forward to creating a significant, positive impact in my new role for clients and communities.” 

As Manager, Ball will help lead the expansion efforts. Ball has nearly 20 years of experience working as a city forester, and previously worked for the city of Lakeville to spearhead the creation of a forestry division for the city. In this role, she will support WSB clients to provide a more sustainable forestry resource plan and help them achieve their long-term goals. 

“Emily is a perfect fit for this position,” said Andi Moffatt, vice president of environmental services at WSB. “She is passionate about helping to make a difference for communities. She has great experience working within and managing various forestry projects. Beyond that, Emily has the heart and the drive to create a huge difference within the industry, and we are thrilled to have her on our team here at WSB.”

WSB supports clients in the government, commercial and energy markets with their infrastructure needs. Ball joins the firm’s environmental division. The division provides environmental compliance, natural resources, water resources, investigation and remediation, water reuse and sustainability services throughout the country.

WSB ranks #164 on the Engineering News Record’s (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms list

WSB is proud to land on ENR’s nationally ranked list for the tenth consecutive year, moving up 21 spots from last year’s position. Through ENR’s annual survey, companies throughout the United States are ranked according to revenue for design services performed. ENR’s mission is to connect diverse sectors of the industry with coverage of issues that include business management, design, construction methods, technology, safety, law, legislation, environment and labor.

Since WSB was formed 25+ years ago, we have been committed to growth.  For many years we’ve worked with our communities to build what’s next in infrastructure. Through strong partnerships we’ve been able to collaborate and solve some of our communities’ biggest challenges. Our growth would not be possible without our dedicated clients. Thank you for trusting us with your infrastructure needs.

It an honor to be recognized amongst our peers. Thank you to our staff who also play a significant role in driving our growth and shaping our company. At WSB, we drive innovation through every level and service area, and we look forward to advancing project delivery with our clients in the future.

WSB CEO Bret Weiss named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Heartland Award

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced Bret Weiss as a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Heartland Award earlier this week. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program recognizes the most accomplished business leaders who are building and sustaining successful enterprises worldwide.

The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Applicants must be a CEO or president of a competitive company that has demonstrated long-term value and strong growth rates. Finalists are selected by a panel of independent judges and evaluated based on a variety of criteria including their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and impact.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 9, 2022, at The Fillmore Minneapolis. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business awards program. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth.

For over 35 years, EY US has celebrated the unstoppable entrepreneurs who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 10,000 US executives since its inception in 1986.

WSB Announces Two Key Director Promotions in Energy Utilities

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today two key director promotions within their Oil & Gas services. Jayson Honer was promoted to director of field services and Nate Osterberg was promoted to director of strategic growth – oil & gas. WSB’s Oil & Gas team provides comprehensive, in-house services for clients that ensure compliance to design standards, procedures, and regulations for safe construction, rehabilitation, and replacement of pipelines. 

“We are very excited to promote two talented employees within WSB’s Oil & Gas service area to director. Both Jayson Honer and Nate Osterberg are outstanding leaders and team members who will help provide instrumental leadership, direction, and growth for WSB while ensuring unmatched service for our clients,” said John Gerlach, vice president of oil & gas. 

As director of field services, Honer will plan, direct, and oversee the operations of oil and gas field services across all regions of WSB. He will coordinate the ongoing management of operation, direction, and coordination of services while driving strategic field service initiatives, process improvement, and client relationship management. 

“Ensuring top client service – from pipeline engineering and design to environmental compliance – is important for our clients, and that means efficient, thorough processes and management of our teams,” said Honer. “I look forward to serving in my new role at WSB, continuing to grow our world-class oil and gas services.”

As director of strategic growth – oil & gas, Osterberg will help launch new partnership opportunities that will drive expansion and engagement and grow partner-driven revenue. This role requires a deep understanding of the industry landscape, sound business judgment, and leadership to develop and grow in start-up regions.

“WSB’s oil and gas business is growing and expanding, and I look forward to working collaboratively to further expand opportunities for our business and industry as a whole,” said Osterberg. “Our industry is constantly evolving and changing, so thinking strategically about future trends, partnership opportunities, and how to support WSB’s staff in start-up regions is vital to the success of our industry and ensuring we are continuing to provide top service to our clients.” Learn more about WSB’s oil & gas services here.

WSB hires Behnaz Beladi to direct the firm’s renewable energy team

As director, Beladi will lead, manage and grow WSB’s renewable energy market and team

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that Behnaz Beladi has joined the organization as their director of renewable energy. Beladi joins the firm’s Minneapolis office where she will lead WSB’s renewable energy efforts and solutions.

As director of renewable energy, Beladi will manage the multi-disciplinary renewable energy team in project and program operations. Beladi will also guide market strategy and oversight to ensure compliance and preparedness in growth regions. The addition of this new role will strengthen the firm’s renewable energy services and cultivate a team that is proactive with client management, client retention and opportunity development. Beladi brings vast industry knowledge and technical expertise to the fast-growing firm.  

“As companies and communities around the world strive toward reducing cost and risk, meeting evolving customer and other stakeholder demand, advancing NetZero goals, renewable energy and the infrastructure that supports it will become vital in preparing for the future,” said Amy Fredregill, senior director of sustainability at WSB. “The expertise that Behnaz brings to WSB will only enhance our growth in the renewable energy market. Her comprehensive experience with solar and wind energy and knowledge of local, state and federal environmental policies and the market overall will be an asset for both our staff and clients.”

Beladi was most recently the vice president of engineering at Apadana, a Minneapolis-based a full-service solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm for commercial, residential, agricultural, non-profit, and utility-scale solar energy customers. Beladi is an accomplished academic, with a PhD of Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Vienna, and an associate of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Previously, she served on the board of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, advocating for policy and regulatory initiative’s that strengthen the industry.

“WSB’s commitment to cutting-edge technology, combined with their deep understanding of our community’s infrastructure needs has allowed them to deliver many large-scale solar and wind projects in recent years,” said Beladi. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this important work and to shape the future of energy with such a talented team and next-generation tools.”

As director for the firm’s renewable energy team, Beladi joins a dynamic team with collective expertise delivering innovative energy solutions for the firm’s clients.

WSB Promotes Kyle Klasen to Vice President of Survey & Digital Delivery

As Vice President, Klasen will help WSB elevate digital delivery workflows and revolutionize industry practices

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that Kyle Klasen has been promoted to vice president of survey & digital delivery. This is a new position at WSB, and Klasen will help oversee the firm’s strategic vision to expand survey work nationally and develop digital delivery solutions for clients. Klasen has been with WSB for more than 15 years, and in that time has led the firm’s growth in surveys along with advancing constructable 3D models to field applications.

“WSB has been designing constructable 3D models for contractors long before it has been part of an engineering function and deliverable.  Looking back 15 years when we initiated our 3D modeling efforts, to where we are today incorporating 4D, 5D and visualization is truly amazing,” said Klasen. “WSB’s digital delivery advancements transfers usable data from design to construction that results in mitigated risk, accelerated schedules, and ultimately saves stakeholders money. I am excited to continue to bring value to our clients and partners, innovate with data workflows from design to construction, and grow WSB’s strategic vision for the future.”

In his new role, Klasen will focus on growing survey offerings through client development and strategy. He will also oversee strategic hires, partner pursuits, and help facilitate and infuse digital delivery and trailblazing technology into every division at WSB.

“Digital delivery is the future at WSB, and we are excited to further advance that offering with this new role. Kyle has an amazing ability to understand and bridge the needs of designers and contractors, delivering value to clients and partners. I know he will do an excellent job managing and growing his team and helping WSB stay at the cutting-edge of our industry,” said Jon Chiglo, WSB’s chief operating officer.

WSB delivered the first set of fully digital, 100% model plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation last year for its Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River Project. The 3D Design Model provided greater flexibility and detail in the design and helped save taxpayer money through efficiency and digital delivery.