Skip to content
  • About Zweig
    • About Us
    • Letter from the CEO
    • Team
    • Careers
    • News
  • Partners & Sponsors
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • ElevateHER
    • ElevateHER

2025 ElevateAEC Conference Registration Now Open

Calendar |
Log In
| Cart (0) Cart
Zweig Group
  • Consulting
    Consulting
    • Talent
      Talent
      • Executive Search
      • Board of Directors
      • Scalable Recruiting Services
      • Employee Experience
      • Compensation Strategies
      • Retention Solutions
    • Performance
      Performance
      • Financial Management
      • Operations Optimization
      • Project Management Training
      • Client Experience
      • Team Structure & Performance
    • Growth
      Growth
      • Market Research
      • Marketing
      • Business Development
      • Strategic Planning
      • Artificial Intelligence
    • Transition
      Transition
      • Valuation
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Ownership Planning & Transition
  • Research
    Research
    • Reports
      Reports
      • Salary + Compensation
      • Valuation
      • Principals, Partners + Owners
      • Fee + Billing
      • Policies, Procedures + Benefits
      • Financial Performance
      • Marketing + Business Development
      • Recruitment + Retention
      • Business Operations
      • A Guide For Success
    • Surveys
      Surveys
      • M&A Survey
      • Marketing & BD Survey
      • Compensation Survey
      • Participate & Save
    • Zweig Insights
      Zweig Insights
      • About Insights
      • Login to Insights
      • Register for an Account
  • Events
    Events
    • EVENTS
      EVENTS
      • Webinars
      • On-Demand Learning
      • Executive Roundtable
      • The Principals Academy
    • ElevateAEC Conference
      ElevateAEC Conference
      • Register
      • Book Hotel
      • Speakers
      • Schedule
      • Become a Sponsor
    • M&A Next Symposium
      M&A Next Symposium
      • Register
      • Book Hotel
      • Speakers
      • Schedule
  • Awards
    Awards
    • Best Firms To Work For
      Best Firms To Work For
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
      • Login to See Results
    • Hot Firm
      Hot Firm
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • Marketing Excellence
      Marketing Excellence
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • Rising Stars
      Rising Stars
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • AEC Innovator Award
      AEC Innovator Award
      • Apply Here
  • The Zweig Letter
    The Zweig Letter
    • Trending Topics
      Trending Topics
      • M&A Activity Reports
      • Strategy
      • Talent
      • Leadership
      • Culture
    • Featured Articles
      Featured Articles
        An environmental M&A boom The power of showing up From efficiency to impact Inside the latest compensation trends Who will lead your firm next?
      • All Articles
    • Podcast Episodes
      Podcast Episodes
        Elevate 2025: Growth, innovation, and connection in San Antonio How data and research are elevating AEC Supporting emerging leaders in AEC Career evolution in AEC with Cherise Lakeside Bridging design and construction with Dan Crist
  • About Zweig
    About Zweig
    • About Us
    • Letter from the CEO
    • Team
    • Careers
    • News
  • Partners & Sponsors
    Partners & Sponsors
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • ElevateHER
    ElevateHER
    • ElevateHER
Contact Us
Log in
Cart (0) Cart
Zweig Group Logo Zweig Group is the number one advocate and trusted partner for top AEC firm leaders.
  • Consulting
    • Talent
      • Executive Search
      • Board of Directors
      • Scalable Recruiting Services
      • Employee Experience
      • Compensation Strategies
      • Retention Solutions
    • Performance
      • Financial Management
      • Operations Optimization
      • Project Management Training
      • Client Experience
      • Team Structure & Performance
    • Growth
      • Market Research
      • Marketing
      • Business Development
      • Strategic Planning
      • Artificial Intelligence
    • Transition
      • Valuation
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Ownership Planning & Transition
    • Contact Us
      The Zweig Letter
      m&a next
  • Research
    • Reports
      • Salary + Compensation
      • Valuation
      • Principals, Partners + Owners
      • Fee + Billing
      • Policies, Procedures + Benefits
      • Financial Performance
      • Marketing + Business Development
      • Recruitment + Retention
      • Business Operations
      • A Guide For Success
    • Surveys
      • M&A Survey
      • Marketing & BD Survey
      • Compensation Survey
      • Participate & Save
    • Zweig Insights
      • About Insights
      • Login to Insights
      • Register for an Account
    • Updated Compensation Data
      Updated Compensation Data
      M&A Survey
      M&A Survey
      Zweig Insights
  • Events
    • EVENTS
      • Webinars
      • On-Demand Learning
      • Executive Roundtable
      • The Principals Academy
    • ElevateAEC Conference
      • Register
      • Book Hotel
      • Speakers
      • Schedule
      • Become a Sponsor
    • M&A Next Symposium
      • Register
      • Book Hotel
      • Speakers
      • Schedule
    • Executive Roundtable Fall
      The Principals Academy
      Become a Sponsor
      Become a Sponsor
  • Awards
    • Best Firms To Work For
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
      • Login to See Results
    • Hot Firm
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • Marketing Excellence
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • Rising Stars
      • Learn More
      • See Winners
    • AEC Innovator Award
      • Apply Here
    • Award Winners
      Awards Gala
      Award FAQs
  • The Zweig Letter
    • Trending Topics
      • M&A Activity Reports
      • Strategy
      • Talent
      • Leadership
      • Culture
    • Featured Articles
        An environmental M&A boom The power of showing up From efficiency to impact Inside the latest compensation trends Who will lead your firm next?
      • All Articles
    • Podcast Episodes
        Elevate 2025: Growth, innovation, and connection in San Antonio How data and research are elevating AEC Supporting emerging leaders in AEC Career evolution in AEC with Cherise Lakeside Bridging design and construction with Dan Crist
    • Podcast
      Subscribe
      Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine
      Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine
Contact Us

Item added to your cart

Search results

162 results found for “Great Recession”

Surveys & Reports
Learning & Events
Posts

Surveys & Reports

  • On-Demand
    The High-Performance Blueprint: Achieving Clarity, Control and Chemistry
    The High-Performance Blueprint: Achieving Clarity, Control and Chemistry
    $0.00
    Buy
  • Books
    A/E Board of Directors Manual
    A/E Board of Directors Manual
    $250.00
    Buy

Learning & Events

Posts

  • Building a winning team: Kevin Johnson

    Building a winning team: Kevin Johnson

    August 24, 2025

    President of TPD, Inc. (Pottstown, PA), a consulting engineering firm specializing in transportation engineering and related environmental and construction services.

    Read
  • Power project managers with tech

    Power project managers with tech

    August 17, 2025

    By Matt Cooper | AEC firms face a middle management gap, but technology can empower PMs, boost efficiency, and accelerate talent development.

    Read
  • Shaping the future

    Shaping the future

    November 10, 2024 | Sara Parkman

    By Sara Parkman | The 2024 Rising Stars shed light on how the next generation of AEC professionals is driving innovation and strengthening firm culture in a rapidly changing environment.

    Read
  • Uncharted territory: Rod Zubella

    Uncharted territory: Rod Zubella

    August 18, 2024

    By Liisa Andreassen | President and CEO of Vierbicher (Reedsburg, WI), a community planning and engineering firm that is a proven partner for thriving Wisconsin communities.

    Read
  • Hit the ground running: Petro Megits

    Hit the ground running: Petro Megits

    March 10, 2024

    By Liisa Andreassen | CEO of Kaas Wilson Architects (Bloomington, MN), an architecture and interior design firm specializing in all types of multi-family housing.

    Read
  • Developing leaders: Jim Canfield

    Developing leaders: Jim Canfield

    February 11, 2024

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of WithersRavenel (Cary, NC), a multidisciplinary consulting firm serving both the private and public sectors.

    Read
  • TZL Podcast: ElevateAEC 2023

    TZL Podcast: ElevateAEC 2023

    October 12, 2023

    Elevate AEC Keynote - Empowering AEC Professionals: Trends and Strategies for Success with Chad Clinehens and Bill McConnell "People want to work for firms that have a great vision and a mission. How are we...

    Read
  • Hide and seek

    Hide and seek

    August 13, 2023

    By Mitch Fortner | As demand for our industry’s services continues to increase, the firms that listen to their employees and evolve to meet their needs will continue to grow.

    Read
  • Creating growth: Al Baysek

    Creating growth: Al Baysek

    May 28, 2023

    By Liisa Andreassen | Executive principal and chief strategy officer at AG&E (Dallas, TX), a full service firm that provides sustainable structural engineering design for all types of projects.

    Read
  • Propensity to consume

    Propensity to consume

    April 16, 2023

    By Todd Perry | Be wary of spreading yourself and your services too thin; your team’s productivity and your firm's profits could begin to suffer.

    Read
  • Driven by community

    Driven by community

    April 09, 2023

    By Gregory Teague | Engaging with your community enriches company culture, employee development, and offers an inside advantage to local projects.

    Read
  • Responsibility: Neal McFarlane

    Responsibility: Neal McFarlane

    March 26, 2023

    By Liisa Andreassen | President and CEO of McFarlane Architects, a dynamic architectural, planning, and interior design firm that provides innovative design solutions to its clients.

    Read
  • Transformational: Sheri Tickner

    Transformational: Sheri Tickner

    January 01, 2023

    By Liisa Andreassen | Senior vice president of AFG Group, Inc., a woman-owned firm with 30 years of experience providing program, project, construction, and relocation management services.

    Read
  • Incentivizing: Sean Sullivan

    Incentivizing: Sean Sullivan

    December 18, 2022

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of Living Stone (Black Mountain, NC), a design-build firm that has been crafting luxury, award-winning custom homes for more than 25 years.

    Read
  • Taking care of people: Ken Hanifan

    Taking care of people: Ken Hanifan

    October 30, 2022

    By Liisa Andreassen | Vice president of strategy at Westwood (Minneapolis, MN), an awarding-winning firm that provides multi-disciplined surveying and engineering services.

    Read
  • Real connection: Heather Thompson

    Real connection: Heather Thompson

    September 18, 2022

    By Liisa Andreassen | Co-founder of Juniper Design+Build, where award-winning design and advanced construction ensures beautiful and environmentally responsible projects.

    Read
  • The mad dash to add overhead staff

    The mad dash to add overhead staff

    April 24, 2022 | Mark C Zweig

    By Mark Zweig | It’s time to take a good hard look at what everyone in your business is doing for you.

    Read
  • Balance: Lorie Westrick

    Balance: Lorie Westrick

    March 27, 2022

    By Liisa Andreassen | Managing principal of RDLR Architects (Houston, TX), a community-driven architectural firm that is recognized throughout Texas.

    Read
  • Inspire and lead: David Guetig

    Inspire and lead: David Guetig

    January 09, 2022

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of Galloway (Denver, CO), a firm with a streamlined process that addresses all its clients’ design needs – from architecture to civil engineering and survey.

    Read
  • The future of work

    The future of work

    January 09, 2022

    By Kevin Brown | Those companies that are resolute, agile, and creative will define the workplace rules of tomorrow, while the rest will be forced to follow or buckle beneath the pressure.

    Read
  • Know your business and you’ll always do well

    Know your business and you’ll always do well

    January 02, 2022 | Mark C. Zweig

    By Mark Zweig | If you really know your business, you can make money in any market – even one as crazy as this.

    Read
  • Are you built for growth?

    Are you built for growth?

    October 17, 2021

    By Eduardo Smith | With more work than we can handle and the current recruiting challenges we face, we need to be sure that our organizations have the foundations for sustained growth.

    Read
  • Team building: Marc Tolson

    Team building: Marc Tolson

    October 03, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | Owner and managing principal of Arrive Architecture Group (Bedford, TX), a firm that specializes in multi-housing residences for individuals, families, and seniors.

    Read
  • Who will win the talent standoff?

    Who will win the talent standoff?

    June 06, 2021

    By Peter Atherton | Playing to win requires a real investment in organizational redesign, and the creation of both a vision and a culture that’s worth the work.

    Read
  • Trusted advisor: Brian Darrow

    Trusted advisor: Brian Darrow

    May 23, 2021

    President and CEO of Blueline (Kirkland, WA), a firm that’s committed to building relationships, enhancing communities, and improving lives.

    Read
  • Connect across generations

    Connect across generations

    May 09, 2021

    By Allyson McDonald & Megan Chang | Matching your communication style to the needs of those you’re communicating with will ensure your message is received.

    Read
  • Think big: Stuart Lynn

    Think big: Stuart Lynn

    May 09, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of Lynn Engineering, a windstorm, structural, and civil engineering firm specializing in residential, commercial, and infrastructure development projects on the Texas Gulf Coast.

    Read
  • Tom Godin

    Zweig Group adds Tom Godin to Strategic Planning Team

    May 07, 2021

    Zweig Group, a global leader in products and services to the AEC industry, announces the addition of Tom Godin to the Strategic Planning team. Prior to joining Zweig Group, Tom enjoyed a 19-year career as...

    Read
  • Creating opportunities: Ricky Smith, Jr.

    Creating opportunities: Ricky Smith, Jr.

    April 11, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of raSmith (Brookfield, WI), a multi-disciplinary firm of civil engineers, structural engineers, land surveyors, development managers, landscape architects, and ecologists.

    Read
  • Northbound: Jim Croy

    Northbound: Jim Croy

    March 21, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | Managing partner and CEO of Croy Engineering (Marietta, GA), a multidiscipline consulting engineering firm that believes in engineering the extra mile.

    Read
  • Jerry Allen – true courage in leadership

    Jerry Allen – true courage in leadership

    March 07, 2021

    By Mark Zweig | There are many ways to show courage, and Jerry Allen showed real courage in his willingness to confront every single obstacle in his life.

    Read
  • Serving others: Mike Schnaare

    Serving others: Mike Schnaare

    February 21, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | President of Lawrence Group (St. Louis, MO), an integrated design, development, and construction firm using the power of people with great ideas to bring clients’ dreams to life.

    Read
  • Audacious: Tom Motsinger

    Audacious: Tom Motsinger

    February 07, 2021

    By Liisa Andreassen | President and founder of PaleoWest, a heritage consulting firm that guides clients’ projects through regulatory challenges posed by prehistoric, historic, and paleontological resources.

    Read
  • Quantum evolution

    Quantum evolution

    September 27, 2020

    By Chad Clinehens | Embrace this period of rapid evolution and push yourself even further out of your comfort zone.

    Read
  • Dependable: Doug Jaeger

    Dependable: Doug Jaeger

    August 03, 2020

    President and CEO Ulteig (Fargo, ND), an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Montana, and Iowa.

    Read
  • Duct tape and baling twine

    Duct tape and baling twine

    July 06, 2020

    By Christina Zweig Niehues | With some ingenuity and proper planning, the AEC industry can adapt and thrive in any climate.

    Read
  • Seeking excellence: Jason Pereira

    Seeking excellence: Jason Pereira

    June 15, 2020

    Co-founder and principal at CWE (Fullerton, CA), a  civil engineering, water resources, and environmental engineering firm whose experts pledge to create a better tomorrow, today.

    Read
  • 2019 Jerry Allen Courage In Leadership Award Winner

    2019 Jerry Allen Courage In Leadership Award Winner

    June 09, 2020

    The 2019 winner of the Jerry Allen Courage In Leadership Award is Paul Greenhagen! Paul joined Westwood Professional Services in 1987 on a field survey crew. He is a “man of the people” who worked...

    Read
  • Perseverance: Karen Purcell

    Perseverance: Karen Purcell

    June 08, 2020

    Founding principal of PK Electrical (Reno, NV), a women-owned, small business electrical engineering and design firm founded in 1996.

    Read
  • Look ahead by looking back

    Look ahead by looking back

    May 11, 2020

    By Jamie Claire Kiser | Addressing questions about the impact of COVID-19 through the lens of the Great Recession.

    Read
  • Vision: Thad Kudela

    Vision: Thad Kudela

    May 04, 2020

    Founding principal of Kudela & Weinheimer (Houston, TX), a landscape architecture firm that has produced beautiful, exceptionally built environments for more than 25 years.

    Read
  • Talk it out

    Talk it out

    April 27, 2020

    By Jamie Claire Kiser | Lessons learned from conversations with industry leaders about separation anxiety, empowerment, and calm confidence.

    Read
  • Motivation Monday

    Motivation Monday

    April 20, 2020

    “Satisfaction with the status quo leads to complacency. Complacency is the enemy of motivation.”

    Read
  • Don’t forget the forest for the trees

    Don’t forget the forest for the trees

    April 13, 2020

    In these uncharted times, we run the risk of only thinking about the immediate and not about where we are going to be three months, six months, or a year from now.

    Read
  • Ownership: Montell Irvin

    Ownership: Montell Irvin

    April 13, 2020

    President and CEO of Ramey Kemp & Assoc. (Raleigh, NC), a transportation engineering, planning, and design firm founded in 1992.

    Read
  • Empowering people: Dusty Eaton

    Empowering people: Dusty Eaton

    April 06, 2020

    CEO of A&E Architects (Billings, MT), a firm that believes all disciplines can live together within any given project.

    Read
  • Working together: Michael Hall

    Working together: Michael Hall

    March 30, 2020

    Principal at GH2 Architects (Tulsa, OK), an international architecture and design firm founded in 1973 that’s flexible, engaging, and fun.

    Read
  • We can all make it through this

    We can all make it through this

    March 17, 2020

    “Whether or not our businesses survive is going to be up to our response to the problem as leaders. It won’t be easy, but this, too, shall eventually pass.”

    Read
  • Exceed expectations: Diane Bicknese

    Exceed expectations: Diane Bicknese

    March 16, 2020

    President of Schaefer Engineering, Inc. (Wentzville, MO), a firm founded on integrity with a commitment to provide quality professional forensic consulting services nationwide.

    Read
  • Balance: Arthur Mabbett

    Balance: Arthur Mabbett

    March 09, 2020

    Chairman and CEO of Mabbett & Associates, Inc. (Bedford, MA), a verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

    Read
  • Support: Paul Greenhagen

    Support: Paul Greenhagen

    March 02, 2020

    President and CEO of Westwood (Minneapolis, MN), a firm that’s been focused on enhancing communities with smart engineering for almost 50 years.

    Read
  • Change leader: Sirish Samba

    Change leader: Sirish Samba

    February 24, 2020

    CEO of Sambatek (Minneapolis, MN), a professional services firm with an authentic culture that promotes openness, transparency, and trust.

    Read
  • Value and respect: Carlos Penin

    Value and respect: Carlos Penin

    February 10, 2020

    President and founder of C.A.P. Government, Inc. (Coral Gables, FL), a privately held, minority-owned consulting firm.

    Read
  • Forgotten fundamentals of marketing

    Forgotten fundamentals of marketing

    February 03, 2020

    “The companies that really make an effort to understand and embrace basic marketing knowledge will continue to grow and prosper regardless of the markets they serve.”

    Read
  • Family legacy: Brian DiSabatino

    Family legacy: Brian DiSabatino

    February 03, 2020

    CEO of EDiS (Wilmington, DE), a fifth generation family-owned firm that has been thriving in the same region for more than a century.

    Read
  • Putting your best foot forward

    Putting your best foot forward

    January 27, 2020

    As market conditions for professional liability insurance evolve, there’s a great deal you can do to position your firm for a more favorable renewal.

    Read
  • Doing what’s right for the client

    Doing what’s right for the client

    January 13, 2020

    When she’s not enjoying the great outdoors, Tracey Eaves is finding share value for firms that are either preparing to be acquired or are planning an internal transition.

    Read
  • Energize: Randy Curry

    Energize: Randy Curry

    December 16, 2019

    President and CEO of DBR (Houston, TX), a 150-person Texas firm that values communication and superior service above all.

    Read
  • Bright future: Theodore Beltavski

    Bright future: Theodore Beltavski

    December 09, 2019

    President of R.E. Warner & Associates (Cleveland, OH), a 68-year-old full service, multi-discipline consulting firm that’s in growth mode.

    Read
  • Stewardship: Bryan Wehler

    Stewardship: Bryan Wehler

    December 02, 2019

    President and CEO of ARM Group (Hershey, PA), a science and engineering consulting firm where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.

    Read
  • Partnership: Ron Hilgart & Darrell Wilson

    Partnership: Ron Hilgart & Darrell Wilson

    November 18, 2019

    Founders of HILGARTWILSON (Phoenix, AZ), an exemplary multidisciplinary firm that was formed in the middle of the Great Recession.

    Read
  • Culture setter: Ernesto Aguilar

    Culture setter: Ernesto Aguilar

    November 11, 2019

    CEO of Ardurra Group (Tampa, FL), an engineering consulting firm with a focus on the positive.

    Read
  • Family business: H. Miller Caldwell, III

    Family business: H. Miller Caldwell, III

    October 28, 2019

    CEO of Caldwell Associates, a firm that’s not afraid to fail, and that’s strong enough to pick up and keep going.

    Read
  • Benefits for all: Jeff Peacock

    Benefits for all: Jeff Peacock

    October 21, 2019

    President and CEO of Parametrix, a 100 percent employee-owned engineering, planning, and environmental sciences firm based in Seattle, Washington.

    Read
  • Set the tempo: John Brusa

    Set the tempo: John Brusa

    October 14, 2019

    President and CEO of Barton & Loguidice, a full-service consulting firm headquartered in Syracuse, New York.

    Read
  • Role model: Randy Regier

    Role model: Randy Regier

    October 07, 2019

    President and principal-in-charge at Taylor Design, an architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Irvine, California.

    Read
  • Slow, but steady change

    Slow, but steady change

    October 07, 2019

    Marketing spending has climbed to an all time high, according to Zweig Group’s 2019 Marketing Survey.

    Read
  • Improve and grow: Jeff Gilliland

    Improve and grow: Jeff Gilliland

    September 30, 2019

    Founding principal of J2 Engineers, a multi-discipline firm looking to double its 2018 net service revenue by 2023.

    Read
  • Driven to do good: Steve Baldridge

    Driven to do good: Steve Baldridge

    September 16, 2019

    President of Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering, a full-service structural engineering and forensic consulting firm based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Read
  • Crystallize the vision: Christine Franklin

    Crystallize the vision: Christine Franklin

    August 12, 2019

    President of CEI, a 20-year-old minority-owned engineering and contracting firm based in Miami Lakes, Florida.

    Read
  • Family man: Mark Dillon

    Family man: Mark Dillon

    August 05, 2019

    President and co-founder of ADC Engineering, Inc., a multidisciplinary firm based in Hanaham, South Carolina.

    Read
  • Building your people (Part 2)

    Building your people (Part 2)

    July 15, 2019

    Do you want to survive the next year, the next recession, and the ongoing reset of the workplace, the marketplace, and the recruiting space?

    Read
  • Transparent intentions: Allen Roth

    Transparent intentions: Allen Roth

    July 15, 2019

    President of JBCI, a small, but venerable, repair and restoration firm based in Philadelphia.

    Read
  • Scale your business, not your people (Part 1)

    Scale your business, not your people (Part 1)

    July 08, 2019

    Do you want to survive the next year, the next recession, and the ongoing reset of the workplace, the marketplace, and the recruiting space?

    Read
  • Built for generations: Matt Emerson

    Built for generations: Matt Emerson

    June 24, 2019

    President of PDC Engineers (Best Firm Multidiscipline #45 for 2018), a 100-person firm headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Read
  • Leading with integrity: Paul DiDonato

    Leading with integrity: Paul DiDonato

    May 13, 2019

    CEO of ATI (Hot Firm #43 for 2018), a California firm rooted in philanthropy, and with a bright future on the horizon.

    Read
  • Identifying opportunities: Bill Inman

    Identifying opportunities: Bill Inman

    April 22, 2019

    President and CEO of Hitchcock Design Group (Best Firm Architecture #7 for 2018), a 35-person landscape architecture firm headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.

    Read
  • Look before you leap

    Look before you leap

    April 01, 2019

    In today’s competitive market conditions, being able to spot red flags may prove helpful in knowing when to pull out of a discussion or for negotiating a more equitable transaction.

    Read
  • Long tenure: Kerry Haber

    Long tenure: Kerry Haber

    March 25, 2019

    President of Bernardon (Hot Firm #39 for 2018), an 80-person architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

    Read
  • Decision-making: Joe Derhake

    Decision-making: Joe Derhake

    February 18, 2019

    CEO and founder of Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. (Hot Firm #9 for 2018), a 700-plus person engineering and environmental due diligence consulting firm. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “There’s no boundary between entry-level and senior-level...

    Read
  • Conference call: Scott Murphy

    Conference call: Scott Murphy

    October 22, 2018

    President and CEO of Morrison-Maierle (Best Firm #27 Multi-discipline for 2017), a 280-person firm based in Helena, Montana. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “It’s vital to our success,” Murphy says, referring to entrepreneurship in the firm....

    Read
  • Authentic values

    Authentic values

    July 30, 2018

    In the AEC industry, both individuals and firms need to brand and present themselves as ‘core brands for core viewers.’ Christina Zweig Niehues and I are conducting a Building your Personal Brand workshop at the...

    Read
  • Heightened growth, heightened risk

    Heightened growth, heightened risk

    July 23, 2018

    As the outlook for AEC firms remains bright and professional liability insurance rates stay competitive, the time is right to make sure your firm has adequate protection. Things are looking up for design firms. They...

    Read
  • Conference call: Ellen Long

    Conference call: Ellen Long

    June 11, 2018

    President of Long Engineering, Inc. (Hot Firm # 24 for 2017), a 90-person land surveying and civil engineering firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Begin to identify internally if you have potential...

    Read
  • Conference call: Kevin Honomichl

    Conference call: Kevin Honomichl

    May 28, 2018

    Co-founder and president of BHC Rhodes (Hot Firm # 15 for 2017), a 130-person civil engineering firm based in Overland Park, Kansas. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Profit centers go against the dynamic of a team...

    Read
  • Conference call: Mark Smolinski

    Conference call: Mark Smolinski

    May 14, 2018

    Principal at G2 Consulting (Hot Firm #67 for 2016), a 75-person geotechnical, geo-environmental, and construction engineering firm based in Troy, Michigan. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “As long as the clients are pleased and the revenues...

    Read
  • Conference call: Gary Dahms

    May 07, 2018

    President, CEO, and chairman of the board for T&M Associates (Hot Firm #73 for 2016), a 350-person engineering firm based in Middletown, New Jersey. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Gary Dahms, PE, PP, CME, has been...

    Read
  • Conference call: Ramesh Gunda

    April 30, 2018

    Founder and president of Gunda Corporation (#32 Hot Firm for 2017), a 60-person engineering consulting firm based in Houston. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “I’m not a big fan of utilization rates,” Gunda says. “I believe...

    Read
  • Conference call: John Hiltz

    April 23, 2018

    President of OHM Advisors (Hot Firm #25 for 2017), a 440-person engineering and architecture firm based in Michigan. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Many firms tried to cut their way to success,” says Hiltz, looking back...

    Read
  • Conference call: Mike Cooper

    April 09, 2018

    Managing principal and president of HED, Inc. (Hot Firm #34 for 2017), a 350-person design firm with offices in Illinois, Michigan, and California. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Small changes often lead to significant results,” says...

    Read
  • How to find a job

    April 02, 2018

    Be honest. Don’t puff up yourself or your credentials. Explore the nature of the job and, more importantly, the idea behind the company. You can read many stories about how to get a job and...

    Read
  • Conference call: Al Barkouli, part 2

    April 02, 2018

    Chairman and CEO of David Evans and Associates, Inc. (Hot Firm #93 for 2016), a 1,000-person engineering firm based in Portland, Oregon. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Barkouli joined DEA in 1988 as an engineer-in-training. He...

    Read
  • Conference call: Al Barkouli, part 1

    March 26, 2018

    Chairman and CEO of David Evans and Associates, Inc. (Hot Firm #93 for 2016), a 1,000-person engineering firm based in Portland, Oregon. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Barkouli joined DEA in 1988 as an engineer-in-training. He...

    Read
  • Conference call: Christine Franklin

    March 12, 2018

    Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. (Best Firm #1 Geotechnical, #3 Environmental, and #13 Civil for 2017), a Miami Lakes, FL, based 80-person engineering and contracting firm. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “I’ve never termed any event in my...

    Read
  • Conference call: L. Andrew White

    March 05, 2018

    President and CEO of HRP Associates, Inc. (Hot Firm #76 for 2016), a 120-person engineering consulting firm based in Farmington, Connecticut. “Big, bold, rapid changes are exciting and sometimes needed, but well planned, steady change...

    Read
  • Conference call: Chad Riley

    February 26, 2018

    CEO of The Thrasher Group (Hot Firm #77 for 2016), a 350-person architecture, engineering, and survey consulting firm based in Bridgeport, West Virginia. “By definition, a good project manager is someone who delivers. Period,” says...

    Read
  • Conference call: Roger Heeringa

    February 19, 2018

    President and COO of DCI Engineers (Hot Firm #62 for 2017), a 320-person Seattle firm with offices in seven states. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Start early,” Heeringa says of ownership transition. “Make it a standard...

    Read
  • Conference call: Brian Sullivan

    February 12, 2018

    CEO of Sullivan Engineering (Hot Firm #89 for 2017), a 20-person building envelope consulting firm based in New York, New York. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “We strongly reward autonomy and encourage each other to make...

    Read
  • Down the road

    February 05, 2018

    If you don’t want scope creep and unforeseen expenses to ruin your profit margins, try improving your estimating process. You planned for your project to make 14 percent, but you end up with 8 percent....

    Read
  • Conference call: Dan Williams

    January 29, 2018

    President and chairman of Garver (Best Firm Multi-discipline #2 and Hot Firm #43 for 2017), a 500-person consulting and professional services firm in North Little Rock, Arkansas. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “We give our employees...

    Read
  • Conference call: Dan Swift

    January 22, 2018

    President and CEO of BSB Design (#87 Hot Firm for 2017), a 180-person architectural design and development firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “My advice is to get on it!” says...

    Read
  • Recession proof?

    January 01, 2018

    The next big downturn may or may not be just around the corner, but when it comes, and it will, will your firm be ready? Many would argue that the next Great Recession, or worse,...

    Read
  • The work martyr

    December 04, 2017

    No generation owns the work ethic, but when it comes to motivation and anxiety, there’s a big difference between millennials and boomers. I recently read a report from Project: Time Off called, “The Work Martyr’s...

    Read
  • Conference call: Paul Galdes

    December 04, 2017

    President of Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc. (Hot Firm #30 for 2017), a 200-person civil engineering firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Marketing is very important,” Galdes says. “We actually increased...

    Read
  • Perseverance in Puerto Rico

    November 09, 2017

    Architect Richard Cuebas is the co-founder and vice president of Integra Design Group, which has offices in San Juan, Santo Domingo, and Charlotte, NC. A native of Puerto Rico, Cuebas visited the island in the...

    Read
  • A-list clients

    October 16, 2017

    We all have them and need them, but do we treat them right, and are we getting as much work out of them as we should? Trying to get work in the door can be...

    Read
  • Conference call: John Beasley

    October 02, 2017

    President of Wakefield Beasley & Associates (Hot Firm #14 for 2016), a 165-person architectural design firm based in Alpharetta, Georgia. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “We are a fast-paced, high-performance company, and underperformers are detrimental to...

    Read
  • Conference call: Aaron Roseth

    August 28, 2017

    President of ESG (Hot Firm #36 for 2017), a 120-person architecture and design firm based in Minneapolis. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “We have a small SWAT team that focuses on networking and about 75 percent...

    Read
  • In-house assets

    July 24, 2017

    Employees can help attract, recruit, and retain great talent in a tight labor market, so look to them as an augment for HR. A steady stream of job postings for engineers, architects, and construction workers...

    Read
  • Conference call: Doug McKeown

    June 12, 2017

    CEO of Woodard & Curran (Hot Firm #80 for 2016), a 1,000-person integrated engineering, science, and operations firm based in Portland, Maine. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “Live by the contract; never lose sight of it,”...

    Read
  • Why the conformity?

    May 29, 2017

    We are a bunch of conformists. It’s a big problem in the AEC business. Everyone is sitting around waiting to do what the other guy is doing. And this is precisely the WRONG course of...

    Read
  • Keep learning

    May 08, 2017

    If you rely solely on what you thought you once knew to be true, you run the risk of being an obsolete relic of yesteryear. Not too long ago, when my son was a senior...

    Read
  • due diligence, key personnel, leadership skills, owner transition, mergers, acquisitions, M&A, zweig group, zweig group seminars, events, continuing education,

    Get ready

    April 11, 2017 | Phil Keil

    So you’re thinking about acquiring an A/E firm? You’ve got a lot of questions to ask yourself, and you need to have honest answers. In a recent article, I wrote about how important it was...

    Read
  • Conference call: Edward Fitzemeyer

    April 10, 2017

    President of Fitzemeyer & Tocci (#2 Best Firm Multidiscipline), a 50-person engineering consulting firm based in Wolburn, Massachusetts. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent “The expectation is growth through 2018 followed by a mild recession in 2019,”...

    Read
  • Risks aplenty

    February 20, 2017

    Growth is all but assured in a healthy market, but if a firm doesn’t watch out, it can grow helter-skelter to the point of extinction. Many firms are experiencing growth during this post-recession period and...

    Read
  • Atlantic shores

    February 20, 2017

    If at first you don’t succeed, don’t give up. Cast your net again and chances are you’ll catch another fish. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Rob Matthews, president of Matthews Design Group, Inc. (#10 Best Firm...

    Read
  • Promote risk-taking

    February 13, 2017

    For the next generation of leaders to be successful, they’ll need a mindset sculpted by strategy, new ideas, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. I routinely hear AEC firm leaders express frustration about finding...

    Read
  • A worthwhile self-appraisal

    February 06, 2017

    HELIX CEO Michael Schwerin headed into the New Year with double-digit profits and a strong book-to-bill ratio. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent In 2001, Michael Schwerin started as an assistant environmental planning group manager with HELIX...

    Read
  • Conference call: Chad Suprenant

    February 06, 2017

    President and CEO of ISG (Hot Firm #58 for 2016) a 200-person architecture, engineering, and environmental planning firm based in Mankato, Minnesota. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent With the recent acquisition of Green Bay-based Raasch Associates,...

    Read
  • Tabbouleh or a baked potato

    January 30, 2017

    President and CEO of Ghafari, a big Michigan firm, has broadened its services, allowing it to weather tough times and maintain an era of growth. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent As president and CEO of Ghafari...

    Read
  • What I have learned about M&As in the past year

    What I have learned about M&As in the past year

    January 25, 2017

    2016 was quite a year for the AEC industry and for Zweig Group as well. Merger and acquisition activity, and interest in the subject, has never been higher than it is right now. Our firm...

    Read
  • Strategies to survive the next recession

    January 23, 2017

    If firms employ these operational and financial strategies, their chances of weathering a downturn, regardless of how bad it is, will increase. Last week, June Jewell outlined five ways to insulate your firm from the...

    Read
  • Burnout. Can you avoid it?

    January 09, 2017

    We work a lot of hours and handle a lot of stress, so it’s important to take charge of life, both in and out of the office. How many hours do you work each week?...

    Read
  • Friends or adversaries

    November 07, 2016

    If you want to achieve great things and have fun in the process, it’s best to foster a collaborative attitude. Review and approval processes vary greatly around our country, and two extremes are California and...

    Read
  • Not a bottom line guy

    October 24, 2016

    Leader of Kansas-based civil engineering firm learned a lot during the recession, and has found a nice niche inspecting levies and dams. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent It’s about the client experience, not just the project....

    Read
  • Golden handshake – deferred

    October 24, 2016

    A trio of profound shifts in the A/E/P industry has made it much more difficult for firm owners to retire. As I enter my mid-50s (never thought it would happen) I have become privy to...

    Read
  • Piano and trombone

    October 17, 2016

    A visionary rather than a command-and-control type of leader, Mike Sanderson has a musical side to him that some might find surprising. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent He doesn’t like the word “client.” He prefers “customer.”...

    Read
  • London skyline kerfuffle

    October 17, 2016

    An influx of foreign capital and an acute housing crisis have created a surge in tall buildings, and in an ancient, low-slung city, that’s controversial. By Richard Massey Managing Editor Once dominated by landmarks like...

    Read
  • Billionaire’s Row

    October 03, 2016

    The towers just south of Central Park are supertall and eye popping, but as sales taper off, and as opposition to them grows, a hush envelopes the design community. By Richard Massey Managing Editor At...

    Read
  • A tribute to an industry pro

    September 09, 2016

    A passionate and prolific engineer, a skilled expert in disputes, and beloved by those he worked with and for, Michael Burgess will be missed. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent San Diego-based Xpera Group (#77 Hot Firm...

    Read
  • Water quality

    September 09, 2016

    Independent environmental firms are increasingly rare, but out on the East Coast, CEO Eileen Pannetier has succeeded by sticking to her small-firm roots. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Prior to founding Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (Best Firm...

    Read
  • Thinking About an Acquisition? Make Sure You Are Ready First.

    August 09, 2016

    In a recent article, I wrote about how important it was to prepare your firm for sale even if you are not thinking about an external ownership transition. You can read that article here. This...

    Read
  • Fostering new ideas

    December 03, 2015

    Having fun and encouraging creativity can lead to the generation of fresh, new business ideas. I have long felt one of the problems with the A/E/P and environmental consulting business is that we have so...

    Read
  • More on being profitable

    August 10, 2015

    There are a few basic traits that differentiate firms that make money from those that scrape by. Chad Clinehens and I were talking in the office yesterday about why some firms we work with make...

    Read
  • The moving sidewalk

    June 10, 2015

    The current momentum of the A/E market is like a moving sidewalk: Are you in a hurry to pass your competitors or just standing still? What do you do when you are on one of...

    Read
  • A leading strategy

    May 20, 2015

    RTM’s CEO Tony Mirchandani has built his career pragmatically and encourages sustainable growth within his firm. By Liisa Andreassen Correspondent Tony Mirchandani, CEO, RTM (South Barrington, IL), a 100-person engineering consulting firm, has expertise in...

    Read
  • From the Chairman: Keeping morale high

    April 09, 2015

    Glassdoor comments provide opportunity for reflection on leaders’ role in fostering positive employee attitudes. One of my clients was both frustrated and concerned about citations on his firm that he found on the glassdoor website...

    Read
  • Dare to be bold and thrive

    February 25, 2014

    Smart investments and ability to effectively manage debt are key to success at these firms. By Christina Zweig What are fast-growth firms doing differently than their competitors in the A/E/P and environmental consulting industry? We...

    Read
  • Editorial: Low on vitamin Y?

    January 31, 2014

    There may be something missing in your firm after the recession, Mark Zweig writes. The recession of the last six- to 8 years has been hard on the A/E/P and environmental consulting business. Many companies...

    Read
  • Editorial: Get your ship in order --Now

    September 09, 2011

    By Mark Zweig CEO, ZweigWhite We’ve had a rough three years. And although there have been some bright spots and encouraging moments, it could get a whole lot worse. I read one gloom and doom...

    Read
  • Don't Let Things Slip

    February 02, 2011

    By Mark C. Zweig It’s funny how firms in our business— many of which have been around for 20, 30, 40 or more years— can get to a certain level and then start to let...

    Read
  • Awards Celebrate A/E/P, Environmental and Multidisciplinary Firm Growth

    January 27, 2011

    Press Release: January 27, 2011 ZweigWhite is now accepting entries for The Zweig Letter 2011 Hot Firm List, the industry’s search for the fastest-growing architecture, engineering, planning, environmental and multidisciplinary consulting firms in the U.S....

    Read
  • Clark’s Corner: It’s a buyer’s market— but buyer beware

    December 21, 2010

    A “gloom and doom” economic outlook is still seen by many in the A/E and environmental business, even after the recent pronouncement that the recession officially ended in June 2009. This offers opportunities— as well...

    Read
  • Hot Firms in a not-so-hot market

    November 16, 2009

    As I begin to write this article I am sitting at “The Tournament of Kings” show at The Excalibur in Las Vegas with my two oldest daughters. Earlier today we finished off the 10th annual...

    Read
  • One world— or is it?

    September 28, 2009

    It’s popular to say these days that “the world is flat” or we live in “one world.” While there is some truth to these statements (thanks largely to high-speed and high-bandwidth electronic communications), this kind...

    Read
  • Let’s not be losers

    August 31, 2009

    In these hard times we live in, many companies in our business are not performing like they once did. No question about it— there’s been plenty of suffering to go around. Fewer projects, lower profits,...

    Read
  • Pulling out of a nosedive

    May 11, 2009

    Bud Tomlinson was finally starting to feel pretty good about things again. Business was turning around. But the last eight months or so had been a real wake-up call... Back in July his firm, Tomlinson...

    Read
  • To sell or not to sell

    March 30, 2009

    Right now, a record number of senior owners of architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental firms are facing a serious question. Should they sell their firm— or not? It’s a question every entrepreneurial small business owner...

    Read
  • Go fast now

    March 09, 2009

    We’re in the middle of some tough, turbulent times. It seems like every market served by A/E/P and environmental firms is full of uncertainty. No one knows whether or not tomorrow will be harder than...

    Read
  • It’s Time for a Little Spring Cleanup (of Your Staff)

    March 31, 2008

    Now that we are fully working ourselves into a recession frenzy (whether we needed one or not), many A/E firms will be facing some tough choices IF they want to remain as profitable as they...

    Read
  • Lessons Learned On My Own Project

    June 13, 2005

    Those who knew me way back when could tell you that, in my younger days, I was more rigid in my beliefs, more certain of my direction, and generally a lot less flexible than I...

    Read
  • Flying with eagles

    October 29, 2001

    As I write this, I have just returned from The Zweig Letter Hot Firm 2001 Conference and Celebration in San Francisco. Some things never change. The airports and planes seemed just as crowded as ever,...

    Read
  • Get your firm focused on winning

    January 22, 2001

    We’re talking to a lot of company CEOs who aren’t the least bit concerned about the effects a recession would have on their firms because they serve government clients. But my experience is, if the...

    Read
  • Raise Prices Now!

    April 03, 2000

    If there was ever a time when the moon lined up with the stars and the timing was right for A/E/P and environmental firms to raise prices, this is it! Never before has the unique...

    Read
  • Turnarounds

    October 26, 1998

    Believe it or not, as good as things are in the A/E/P and environmental industry, there are still some firms out there that need to be turned around. These firms just can’t make a profit....

    Read
  • When Things Slow Down

    August 17, 1998

    I would be surprised if more than one of our readers hasn’t said to themselves recently, “We really ought to be thinking about what we’ll do if things slow down.” Well get ready folks, it’s...

    Read
  • Gauges

    February 16, 1998

    As an old car guy, I’ve learned that gauges are vastly superior to “idiot lights.” Idiot lights tell you when something has gone wrong, such as “engine hot” (it is now overheated). Gauges tell you...

    Read
  • Seeds of Destruction

    October 07, 1996

    There’s truth to the old adage that “the seeds of destruction are sown along with the spoils of success.” We see it all the time, but that doesn’t make it any more palatable. I’m talking...

    Read
  • Gain Strength From Adversity

    December 01, 1992

    Many of our readers are already reflecting back on a year that was not so great, financially speaking. But in 1993, some firms will find this cloud really does have a silver lining. Many firms...

    Read
  • TQM— a Fad?

    September 15, 1992

    TQM (Total Quality Management) for A/E/P firms is nothing more than a fad. I’d be willing to bet right here and now that in two or three years, you won’t hear anything about it. TQM...

    Read
Zweig Group
  • Consulting Services
    • All Consulting Services
    • Talent
    • Performance
    • Growth
    • Transition
  • Insights
    • Survey Participation
    • Research Reports
    • The Zweig Letter
    • Podcast
    • Civil + Structural Engineer Media
    • Zweig Insights
  • Learning + Events
    • All Learning Opportunities
    • ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala
    • M&A Next Symposium
    • AEC Small Firm and Entrepreneurship Forum
    • In-Person Learning
    • Online Learning
    • On-Demand
    • M&A Activity Report
    • Project Management Training
  • Awards
    • 2024 Award Winners
    • Award Registration
    • Award FAQ
    • Rising Stars
    • Best Firms to Work For
    • Hot Firm
    • Marketing Excellence
  • About
    • Letter from the CEO
    • Team
    • News
    • Careers
    • Partner with Us
  • Zweig Blog
    Zweig Blog
  • Zweig Blog
    Zweig Podcast
  • Zweig Blog
    The Zweig Letter

Stay Connected

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram

Listen

Spotify TuneIn Apple Podcast Audible

Offices

Dallas

Fayetteville

Mailing Address

PO Box 1528
Fayetteville, AR 72702

Contact Us

info@zweiggroup.com 800.466.6275 Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Zweig Group. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Service Accessibility Statement
  • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.