Family of four

Jan 09, 2018

Joining three other firms, ATI Architects + Engineers merges with the Planning Architecture Engineering Alliance. Working on the seller side of the deal, Zweig Group, a full-service AE consultancy based in Fayetteville, AR., represented California-based ATI Architects + Engineers in its merger with the Planning Architecture Engineering Alliance, Inc., a Los Angeles firm that now has four main independently operated companies under its umbrella. ATI – leaders in K-12 education, industrial, and government sectors – looks forward to a seamless transition as the firm’s managing and operating principals, senior associate team, technical principals, and President Paul DiDonato will remain in their current leadership positions. The merger is also expected to increase ATI’s regional coverage and practice leadership, as the firm is now part of a much larger team. “I'm really glad for ATI,” said Jamie Claire Kiser, Zweig Group’s director of consulting. “They've been wonderful to work with. This merger puts them on a bigger platform to keep doing great work with great clients.” As part of the PAEA, ATI joins LA-based AC Martin, LA-based Togawa Smith Martin, and Atlanta-based PFVS. The combined firms have over 270 people with expertise in K-12, government, higher education, corporate and commercial, multi-family and mixed-use, and hospitality design. “We are excited to start 2018 with ATI as the new addition to our family of firms,” said Donna Clandening, PAEA’s Chief Strategy Officer. "Their expertise and dedication to client satisfaction and innovation first impressed us and we feel the family of firms are a perfect match to continue our legacy of transforming cities and neighborhoods throughout California and the U.S.” DiDonato is equally as pleased with the merger and the opportunities it will bring. “The merger of ATI with the PAEA’s family of firms is an exciting step forward for us and our clients,” DiDonato said. “We firmly believe that this new era of ATI will bring more capabilities and opportunities to our clients, as well as growth, and career advancement for our team.” Other 2017 deals include: BIG RED DOG Engineering and Consulting’s acquisition of MSP Engineering Group; Otak Inc.’s acquisition of Colorado-based Loris & Associates; WGI’s acquisition of Carl Walker, Inc.; NV5 Global, Inc.’s acquisition of Orlando-based Lochrane Engineering, Inc.; Eppstein Uhen Architects’ acquisition of Burkettdesign; and Wold Architects and Engineers’ acquisition of Ruck Pate Architecture. Zweig Group’s M&A team is led by Kiser and includes consultants Phil Keil, Brenden Sherrer, and Jordan Barrett. For more information, please contact Kiser at jkiser@zweiggroup.com, or at 479 435 6521.

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the industry leader and premiere authority in AEC firm management and marketing, the go-to source for data and research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a complicated and challenging marketplace through services that include: Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Valuation, Executive Search, Board of Director Services, Ownership Transition, Marketing & Branding, and Business Development Training. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.