EST’S STRONG FOOTPRINT SOLIDIFIES THE FIRM’S GROWING PRESENCE IN THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN U.S.
September 20, 2023
WSB, one of the nation’s fastest growing Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) firms, with 17 offices across five states, today announced an acquisition of EST, a comprehensive engineering firm based in Oklahoma City, Okla. The partnership represents progress towards WSB’s strategic growth goals and will strengthen the firm’s presence in the southern and western United States.
EST’s depth and knowledge in transportation, construction engineering and inspection (CE&I) and municipal infrastructure expertise complements WSB’s service offerings and expertise. EST also brings years of experience working closely with state departments of transportation and across the government market.
“WSB is growing from a position of strength,” said Bret Weiss, WSB’s president and chief executive officer. “We are strategically adding new capabilities that complement our existing service offerings and expertise. EST is an outstanding firm with a strong culture and entrepreneurial spirit. Together, we’re now able to offer our clients new services and even deeper expertise through shared learnings and best practices, reinforcing the value of a partnership with WSB.”
WSB has significantly expanded its geographic footprint, acquiring 19 offices across four southern and western states, and has grown its talent base, adding more than 350 employees. The combined strength now gives WSB 36 offices nationwide and more than 1,100 employees to better serve its clients in the government, commercial and energy markets.
“WSB and EST are an excellent match in many ways,” said Michael Vahabzadegan, EST’s president and chief operating officer. “Our cultures align significantly, and so do our business goals. Our operations will integrate well and will provide us with more access to talent, technology and approaches to better serve our clients and partners.”
WSB and EST will work together to develop a single go-to market approach as WSB in the coming months. This is WSB’s third acquisition in the southwest. In September 2019, the firm acquired Houston-based Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates, Inc., and Rogers Design Services in 2018.
GHK Capital Partners LP (“GHK”) completed a majority recapitalization of WSB in August 2023. This acquisition of EST is WSB’s first in partnership with GHK and establishes a scalable, national platform to expand across the US critical infrastructure consulting space.
