News

WSB Announces New Colorado Regional Leadership as Firm Grows National Footprint

March 12, 2024

New leadership promotions announced to support regional expansions.

Minneapolis, Minn. –WSB, an industry-leading design and consulting firm, today announced the expansion of leadership in its Colorado region. The firm is one of the fastest growing architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms in the nation and is establishing itself as a national firm that supports infrastructure— the places, spaces and systems that support our lives.

This year, WSB added one new vice president role in Colorado, with others across the operating regions of Minnesota/North Dakota, Texas Oklahoma and the southeastern U.S. WSB currently operates 4 offices in Colorado in Denver, Westminster Colorado Springs and the Centennial Lab. The new vice president promotion in Colorado is:

• Paul Jesaitis, vice president of transportation
  • Oversees construction engineering & inspection in Colorado

Through an aggressive growth strategy, WSB is expanding into new markets and geographies while continuing to make strategic investments in cutting-edge tools and technology.  In fall of 2023, WSB acquired EST, a respected civil structural and construction engineering consulting firm with offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. In addition, WSB announced in February 2024 the acquisition of AE Engineering, Inc. (“AE”), a high-growth transportation infrastructure firm based in Jacksonville, Florida. This acquisition brings 11 offices and more than 170 employees into WSB across the Southeast. With the addition of these two firms, WSB now operates with more than 1,250 employees across the U.S.

“I am excited to promote leaders across the firm, and I am certain elevating leadership in Colorado will have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the services we provide,” said Bret Weiss, president and CEO. “There is a lot of potential in the Colorado region, and this promotion only enhances our commitment to growth and our dedication to our clients. With increased leadership across the nation, we will continue to forge ahead.”

Originally founded 1995, WSB was based in Minnesota. The firm continued to expand its markets to several regions across the U.S. and first entered Colorado in 2017.  After acquiring EST in the fall of 2023, the Colorado region was strengthened even more. Today, the firm offers services in more than 50 areas, employs more than 1,250 people and has expanded its markets across the U.S.

WSB Announces New Oklahoma Regional Leadership as Firm Grows National Footprint

March 12, 2024

New leadership promotions announced to support regional expansions.

Minneapolis, Minn. –Design and consulting firm WSB today announced the expansion of its Oklahoma leadership team. The fast-growing firm is building a national brand that supports critical infrastructure across the United States.

WSB recently added three new vice president roles in the Oklahoma region, with others across the operating regions of Minnesota/North Dakota, Texas Colorado and the southeastern U.S. The firm operates 10 offices throughout Oklahoma including Antlers, Tulsa Lab, Ardmore, Lawton, Moore, Norman, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Durant. The three new vice president promotions in Oklahoma are:

• Mike Vahabzadegan – executive vice president
  • Oversees strategy across the nation and Oklahoma region
• Caleb Austin, vice president of transportation
  • Operational focus for transportation in the Oklahoma region
• Gary Evans, vice president of construction
  • Operational focus for construction engineering & inspection in the Oklahoma region

WSB is expanding into new markets and geographies while continuing to make strategic investments in cutting-edge tools and technology.  In fall of 2023, WSB acquired EST, a respected civil structural and construction engineering consulting firm with offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. In addition, WSB announced in February 2024 the acquisition of AE Engineering, Inc. (“AE”), a high-growth transportation infrastructure firm based in Jacksonville, Florida. This acquisition brings 11 offices and more than 170 employees into WSB across the Southeast. With the addition of these two firms, WSB now operates with more than 1,250 employees across the U.S.

 “We are establishing WSB as a national brand to better support communities across the U.S.,” said Bret Weiss, president and CEO. “As we elevate and strengthen our leadership team in Oklahoma, WSB is better equipped to provide high-quality services to our clients, and our staff has improved guidance and mentorship to fulfill these responsibilities.”

 Founded in 1995, WSB was originally based out of one office in Minnesota. Over 28 years, the firm has continued to grow and expanded its footprint into the Oklahoma region last fall after the acquisition of EST. Today, the firm offers services in more than 50 complementary areas and has expanded its markets to support communities nationwide.

WSB Hires Chief Financial Officer to Support National Growth

March 12, 2024

Newly hired, James Bainbridge brings financial expertise to the firm as it expands its markets across the country.

Minneapolis, Minn – WSB, a forward-thinking design and consulting firm, announced today the hiring of James Bainbridge as chief financial officer (CFO). This strategic decision supports the fast-growing firm as it nationally expands its services to new markets.

With 15 years of finance and accounting experience and previous work as a CFO, Bainbridge is well poised to assume the responsibilities of this position. His knowledge and background supporting fast-growing companies will benefit WSB as the firm continues to be one of the most rapidly growing in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

“We take pride in providing high-quality services to our clients and supporting them with technical excellence,” said Bret Weiss, president and chief executive officer (CEO). “We are establishing WSB as a national brand, and to do so successfully, we need business excellence as well. James’s financial expertise, history and adaptability allow us to better serve our clients and staff. He fits well with the culture of our firm which will allow WSB to continue to successfully expand into new and exciting markets.” 

In this role, Bainbridge oversees all financial functions of the firm nationwide as the firm continues to grow both organically and through acquisitions.

“WSB is a leader in the industry, and the fast growth creates opportunities and excitement for staff and clients,” said Bainbridge. “I am fascinated by the services WSB provides and the positive impact they have on the communities in which we live and do business. I look forward to lending my knowledge and being part of the build out as we forge ahead.”

WSB recently acquired two firms in the past six months. As CFO, Bainbridge will support the firm’s growth plans as it continues to grow across the U.S.

WSB Welcomes Jupe Hale to Leadership in Municipal Services

March 14, 2024

Joining as senior director of municipal services, Hale strengthens the municipal division in the Minnesota/North Dakota region.

Minneapolis, Minn- Design and consulting firm WSB today announced the hiring of Jupe Hale. Hale has joined WSB as senior director of municipal services and will support the Minnesota and North Dakota region of the firm.

Based out of the Minneapolis office, Hale will lead complex projects and delivery of the municipal program.

“I am excited to be at WSB, and I am most looking forward to bringing impactful and positive change to the communities we serve,” said Hale. “I bring a unique perspective with a career in both the private and public sectors. I look forward to leveraging my experience to find the best solutions for our clients.”

With over 30 years of industry experience and having worked in both public and private sectors across the U.S., Hale has strong connections in the area and provides valuable insight into an owners’ perspective. Jupe is the 2024 President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA-MN) and has also served as an instructor at the University of Minnesota for over ten years in the Construction Management Program. 

“Jupe’s knowledge of the municipal market and our city clients will greatly benefit the WSB team and allow us to better support our clients,” said Monical Heil, vice president of municipal services. “His expertise strengthens our municipal program, and his leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand. Adding Jupe to our leadership team allows us to take what we are doing well in this region and bring that to other parts of the country.” 

WSB continues to grow a national presence through recent acquisitions. The firm has expanded into the south and southeastern regions, now with offices in ten states across the U.S.

WSB Announces Partnership with 4M Analytics to Advance Infrastructure Programs & Projects

March 26, 2024

Combining digital construction management services with utility AI mapping and analytics will revolutionize the industry.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — WSB LLC (“WSB”), one of the nation’s fastest growing infrastructure engineering and consulting firms, today announced a partnership with 4M Analytics, the nation’s leading subsurface Utility AI Mapping and Analytics Solution. This partnership will immediately support infrastructure projects across the U.S. with a focus on data integrity and real-time digital delivery.

“This partnership is going to address one of the most significant risks in our industry – utility conflict and coordination,” said Andy Kaiyala, WSB’s Vice President of Digital Construction Management and Controls. “4M Analytics brings much-needed nationwide improvement to utility conflict resolution, and they are doing it with cutting-edge AI and machine learning technology.  When combined with WSB’s capabilities and commitment to innovation, the partnership will have an immediate impact on the projects and communities we serve.”

WSB’s Digital Construction Management (DCM) service is advancing civil construction projects through model-based digital delivery using a full suite of services from construction modeling, to 4D scheduling to automated machine control.  With a firm understanding of the complexity surrounding today’s infrastructure projects, WSB is dedicated to creating efficiencies, streamlining processes and mitigating risk to drive improvements in the industry. This partnership adds data that completes WSB’s comprehensive DCM service and offers a solution that is unmatched in the industry.

Leveraging artificial intelligence, computer vision and change detection techniques, 4M Analytics synthesizes, digitizes and geo-locates millions of utility data sources into a single platform and visually validates each line using vertical and horizontal imagery dating back to the 1940’s. This enables ‘real-time’ access to the utility landscape for infrastructure projects through an intuitive user interface. The mapping resources will decrease the amount of time it takes to locate underground utilities for owners, civil engineering firms, general contractors, subsurface utility engineering firms, and many other utility stakeholders.

“WSB is an industry leader in using tools and technologies to improve the way we deliver infrastructure projects across the U.S.,” said Itzik Malka, 4M Analytics CEO. “With our commitment to best-in-class real-time utility data, this partnership will have a positive impact on so many projects by mitigating risk, reducing cost, and streamlining processes and scheduling.  We’re excited about what this will do for the industry and, most importantly, the improvements to projects that impact so many people.”

Under the partnership terms, WSB and 4M Analytics will work together to immediately bring subsurface utility data into the 3D digital twin models for the benefit of clients and their projects. 

WSB Celebrates Graduation of Fifth Opportunity+ Cohort

April 10, 2024

Participants of the 2024 cohort of Opportunity+ have successfully completed the training program and celebrated with a graduation in early April.

Minneapolis, Minn. – Design and consulting firm WSB today announced the graduation of the 2024 Opportunity+ cohort. Opportunity+ is a free workforce training and development program focused on preparing participants for successful careers as civil engineering technicians.

This free and fast-paced training program was founded with the intent to reduce and remove some of the barriers to a successful career as a civil engineering technician. As Opportunity+ celebrates its fifth year, it has grown into a robust program— reaching new audiences and diversifying the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

“What makes Opportunity+ so unique is that it is driven solely to prepare the participants for a long-lasting career,” said Laura Rescorla, program manager. “We try our best to make this program accessible to anyone that is interested. This year, we transitioned to a faster-paced program to better accommodate those enrolled. We want each participant to be successful, and I am incredibly proud of this year’s graduates.”

The 2024 Opportunity+ cohort celebrated 11 graduates on April 4. The cohort underwent an efficient six-week training in various aspects required for civil engineering technicians. With both classroom learning and hands-on experiences, graduates are now well-equipped for a future in this industry with skills necessary to launch careers in surveying, construction materials testing and site inspection.

“Our goal is to constantly improve. We are always looking for new ways to lead the AEC industry, and we are especially invested in supporting members of our community,” said Bret Weiss, president and CEO. “Opportunity+ is one way we can help those around us. We are building the program to better support the needs of our participants, and I am thrilled to see 11 successful graduates prepare for long-term careers. Civil engineering technicians are critical to our infrastructure. I am confident that each graduate now has the skills to make a positive impact on infrastructure— the places, spaces and systems that support our lives.”

WSB is committed to the growth of this program. The firm values increasing diversity and finding ways to be more inclusive. Opportunity+ continues to play an active role in expanding the reach of the AEC industry while preparing participants with knowledge to dive into positions as civil engineering technicians.

WSB Ranks #134 on Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms List

May 2, 2024

Engineering News-Record (ENR) has recognized WSB in the Top 500 Design Firms List of 2024. WSB is honored to have ranked #134 on the list moving up 44 places from last year. This is the 12^th consecutive year WSB has been included on the list.

Each year, ENR completes an annual survey that ranks companies throughout the United States according to the revenue for design services performed. Covering topics such as business management, design, construction methods, technology, safety, law, legislation, environment and labor, ENR provides industry professionals with information to do their jobs more effectively.

Since WSB was founded 25+ years ago, we have committed to continuous growth not only in the communities we serve but across the nation. Our strong values, collaboration, dedication to our relationships and forward-thinking ideas have positioned us to grow each year. We aim to discover innovative solutions that look beyond the needs of today’s infrastructure and prepare us and our clients for the future.

WSB staff and their bold ideas and resilient work ethic are what allow this firm to thrive. We would like to thank our staff for their diligent efforts and for advancing WSB and the industry. We look forward to continued partnerships with clients and building what’s next in infrastructure.

Newsletter | Volume 5 | Issue 2 | 2023

2023 Economic Developer of the Year

January 29, 2024

We are proud to announce that Jim Gromberg, Economic Development Coordinator, was recently awarded the 2023 Economic Developer of the Year. The Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) honored Jim with this award at the 2024 Winter Conference in Bloomington, MN. This Association recognizes projects and professionals in the economic industry who have gone above and beyond or overcame significant challenges in the last year. This is a career achievement for Jim, and we are honored to have him receive this award through his work at WSB.

EDAM champions economic development through education, collaboration, and advocacy. This is a professional association of individuals and organizations throughout the state of Minnesota that provides economic development professionals a forum for exchanging information and staying abreast of current economic development strategies and practices as well as valuable networking and educational opportunities. EDAM members are leading economic developers in the state of Minnesota. EDAM consults with the state on public policy issues related to economic development and helps continually define and improve the profession.

WSB Strengthens Leadership Team by Adding Two Directors to Growing Transportation Team

Robert Doty and Brittney Davis expand the firm’s leadership team and capabilities.

February 15, 2024

Minneapolis, Minn –Design and consulting firm WSB announced the expansion of leadership within their firm. Robert Doty has been hired as director of transportation design, and Brittney Davis has joined as director of transportation planning. The addition of these roles place WSB in a strong position as they continue to support infrastructure needs across the state of Texas. 

“Robert is key to our growth as we strive to expand our national presence,” said David Balmos, vice president of strategy. “He is well-rounded with backgrounds in planning, design, business development and community relations. His leadership will help our transportation division excel. We know we have to have the right people to succeed, and we have found that in Robert.”

Doty joins WSB with over 24 years of experience and an extensive history in the Houston market. He supports WSB with design within Houston and the surrounding areas and business in the Government market. His technical background and leadership are valuable to the firm.

“I was drawn to WSB because of the possibilities and the people,” said Doty. “Every interaction I have had with the staff proves they are excited to make a difference. I look forward to the future of this firm, and I am excited to be part of it.”

WSB also welcomes Brittney Davis to the Texas transportation leadership team. She has taken the role of director of transportation planning, specializing on federal projects requiring the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). With over 15 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry and a primary focus in NEPA, she brings immense value to WSB.

“The stars aligned when hiring Brittney,” said Steve Lindsey, director of transportation design. “Her expertise provides a tremendous opportunity to better support our clients and complements our existing staff and services well. Her hiring falls in line with our goal of expanding nationally, and we are excited to see the bright future of WSB with the addition of her experience and guidance.”

Davis assists with increasing environmental transportation projects in Texas and provides mentorship for emerging leaders and young professionals.

“I am excited to be here,” said Davis. “I have only heard great things about WSB from friends and clients, and after meeting current staff— I knew this was a position I wanted to take. I look forward to pursuing work and continuing to build the impressive legacy of WSB.”

WSB recently acquired engineering firm EST, a design firm headquartered in Oklahoma City with a strong presence in north Texas. Adding staff, offices, regions and a handful of services, WSB continues to expand on a national level. The firm’s presence across the United States includes increased collaboration and services to better support communities and advance infrastructure.