WSB welcomes Tara Dresen as Chief Human Resource Officer

April 7, 2025

Dresen will enhance organizational culture and talent acquisition as the firm expands nationally.

Minneapolis, Minn.— WSB, a fast-growing design and consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Tara Dresen as its new Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO). Dresen brings a wealth of experience and expertise in human resources and recruitment, and she will play a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s growth and enhancing its organizational culture.

In her new role, Dresen will oversee all aspects of WSB’s human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, employee development, performance management and organizational culture. She will collaborate closely with the leadership team to align human resources practices with business objectives and support WSB’s mission to build what’s next in infrastructure. Dresen will focus on attracting and retaining top talent in the industry, enhancing team member engagement, and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

“We are excited to welcome Tara to WSB,” stated Bret Weiss, president and chief executive officer (CEO). “Her extensive experience in human resources is invaluable and makes her an excellent addition to our firm. We are confident that Tara will significantly contribute to supporting WSB’s growth and enhancing our organizational culture.”

A seasoned human resources professional, Dresen’s expertise includes accelerating growth through strategy and people alignment, transparent cultures and talent analytics. She has held significant roles in various organizations, including Global Vice President of Talent Planning & Attraction at Trimble, Global Head of People at CBRE and CHRO at TwentyEighty.

“I am thrilled to join WSB and contribute to the firm’s continued success,” said Dresen. “I look forward to working with the talented team at WSB to enhance our HR practices, support our employees’ growth and development, and foster a culture of inclusivity and innovation.”

This strategic move aligns with WSB’s commitment to excellence and the goal of driving growth amidst its national expansion. The firm now operates from offices in 10 states, with projects across the U.S.

WSB Welcomes New Vice President of Traffic Modeling and Planning

March 18, 2025
Josh Maus joins WSB, prioritizing collaboration across various divisions and regions.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Fast-growing design and consulting firm WSB today announced the hiring of Josh Maus as vice president of traffic modeling and planning.

With nearly 25 years of experience in the AEC industry, Maus brings a wealth of expertise in traffic operations and analysis. Throughout his career, he has made notable contributions to several significant projects in Minnesota, and his vast background with the private sector makes him an asset to the firm.

“We are excited to welcome Josh to WSB,” said Travis Wieber, vice president of transportation. “His extensive experience and industry reputation will be invaluable as we continue to grow and elevate our traffic modeling and planning divisions. Josh is a great cultural fit for our team, and we are confident that his leadership will drive us to new heights.”

In this role, Maus will oversee traffic modeling for all regions as part of the firm’s nationwide initiative. He will also lead transportation planning efforts in the Midwest region. There are many overlapping elements between these divisions, and having a leader integrate them allows WSB to deliver cohesive and superior results for clients. Maus will encourage collaboration among the groups—enhancing the capabilities and performance of WSB.

“I am thrilled to be part of such an innovative and forward-thinking firm,” said Maus. “WSB’s commitment to investing in technology and looking ahead to future opportunities is truly inspiring. I look forward to working with this talented group of professionals and contributing to WSB’s growth.”

WSB has doubled in size over the last two years through acquisitions and organic growth. The firm provides services throughout the nation, with offices in various regions including Minnesota/North Dakota, Oklahoma/Texas, Colorado/California and the Southeast.

Brian Glaser Promoted to Director of Design Technology at WSB

March 13, 2025
The firm is elevating internal leadership to enhance its design technology group.

Houston, Texas — WSB, a fast-growing design and consulting firm, today announced the promotion of Brian Glaser to director of design technology.

In his new role, Glaser will oversee company-wide design technology initiatives, driving innovation, collaboration and revenue generation. His leadership will be instrumental in enhancing internal collaboration between design technology and operation teams, ensuring continued delivery of cutting-edge solutions to clients.

John Mackiewicz, vice president of technology, states, “Brian’s promotion is a testament to his dedication and innovative mindset. His ability to foster strong relationships and drive technological advancements makes him the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, WSB will continue to be at the forefront of design technology, scaling up our capabilities.”

With almost two years of service at WSB and nearly 15 years of industry experience, Glaser has shown outstanding technical excellence and remarkable relationship-building skills that have significantly contributed to the firm’s success.

“I am eager to take my knowledge and success from my previous role and bring it to the director position,” stated Glaser. “Taking the successes from various areas throughout our division and implementing them in other aspects is critical as our group continues to expand. I look forward to fostering internal growth at WSB while supporting the needs of our clients and software partners.”

With Glaser’s leadership, WSB will continue to lead the industry in innovation, rapidly expanding design technology capabilities and greater collaboration within its teams and with clients.

City of North St. Paul Honored with Concrete Paving Award for 7th Avenue East Project

February 10, 2025

The 7th Avenue East Project in North St. Paul recently received a Concrete Paving Award in Category 7 for City New/Reconstruction. This prestigious award underscores the complexity and significance of the project, which involved extensive preliminary work, design, construction, surveying, materials testing and construction observation. WSB was proud to support the project, and the firm’s comprehensive involvement spanned from inception to completion, showcasing its expertise and dedication.

This project was part of a larger effort to revitalize downtown North St. Paul, aligning with a long-term vision aiming to rejuvenate the area. The project included the construction of a new water main, storm sewer, and brand-new concrete pavement roadway with sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. Notably, there were several complex challenges, including utilities crossing an 88-inch storm sewer and the need for vibration monitoring due to a medical manufacturing facility immediately adjacent to the project.

This award is a significant honor as it highlights a major urban project for the City of North St. Paul to revitalize the community and accommodate future growth. The 7th Avenue East Project not only improved infrastructure but also enhanced the character of downtown North St. Paul, attracting residents and businesses and supporting the city’s vision for the future.

Close collaboration between the City, Eureka Construction, Inc., Curb Masters, Inc., and WSB was integral to the project’s success and the achievement of this award. WSB is honored to be a part of the collaborative team, together with all project stakeholders, where the combined talents and expertise from all culminated in the successful delivery of this award-winning project for the City of North St. Paul.

Wright County CSAH 35 Project Receives Prestigious Concrete Paving Award

February 6, 2025

WSB is proud to announce that a recent project we supported has received a prestigious Concrete Paving Award from the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota (CPAM) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). This recognition highlights the high-quality concrete pavement construction and rehabilitation for the Wright County CSAH 35 project. The award ceremony is set to take place on March 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Park Event Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The CSAH 35 project was a significant undertaking involving the reconstruction of a three-mile rural road into a four-lane urban concrete paved road with three roundabouts. Now a safer corridor for the new three-mile multi-use trail with ADA crossings and neighborhood access. This major thoroughfare better serves the growing communities of St. Michael and surrounding areas, enhancing safety and supporting residential development. WSB played a crucial role in this project, providing design services, environmental compliance, construction administration, inspection, materials testing and survey work.

The firm is fortunate and proud to be part of the team for this project and to be recognized for everyone’s efforts. This honor is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Wright County, WSB’s team, the contractors at S.M. Hentges & Sons Inc. and Shafer Contracting Co., Inc. and The City of St. Michael. WSB extends its gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to this successful and impactful project.

Brandon Claborn appointed vice president of environmental services

February 4, 2025
Claborn will fill a vital leadership role for the firm while fostering collaboration and embracing national growth.

Tulsa, Okla. — WSB, forward-thinking design and consulting firm, today announced that Brandon Claborn has been appointed as the vice president of environmental services. With extensive experience and a proven track record in environmental sciences, Claborn is poised to play a pivotal role in expanding WSB’s environmental services nationwide.

Claborn, former CEO of Meshek & Associates, Inc, will be instrumental in driving the expansion of the firm’s environmental services portfolio across the country, including water resources. His expertise in multidisciplinary teams and his strategic vision will help WSB leverage resources and optimize projects.

“Our environmental division is integral to our success, and we are excited to see Brandon lead this critical area,” said Jon Chiglo, chief operating officer of WSB. “His background will elevate our environmental services and strengthen our position as a leader in the industry. Coupling his industry experience with his leadership, we will better support clients as we grow our presence nationally.”

Claborn is known for his leadership and innovative approaches to flood mitigation and stormwater quality. This background will allow him to elevate WSB’s environmental footprint throughout the U.S., while working across service lines to support client’s infrastructure needs. He led the Meshek team’s contributions to the first every State Flood Plan in Oklahoma and provided leadership to the team working with the city of Tulsa to help them achieve a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 1 which resulted in a 45 percent discount in national flood insurance premiums for residents.

“I am honored to join WSB as the vice president of environmental services,” said Claborn. “I look forward to working with our talented staff to expand our services, embrace new technologies and enhance our support for clients across the nation.”

WSB recently acquired Meshek & Associates, LLC in the fall of 2024. Through this acquisition, WSB has welcomed over 50 staff and many new services to better support its coast-to-coast client base.

Newsletter | Volume 6 | Issue 2 | 2024

Grant Opportunities for Minnesota Cities

December 4, 2024
By Amy Fredregill, Sr Director of Sustainability, WSB

We would like share news about three upcoming resiliency grant opportunities that can help cities in Minnesota advance their strategic plans, reduce costs and risks, and provide new services to stakeholders.

MN Pollution Control Agency Local Climate Action Grant

The MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has opened applications for the Local Climate Action (LCA) grants. There are two types of grants available: a climate action planning grant and a climate action implementation grant. These grants are available to local governments, Tribes, community-based nonprofits, and schools working on projects to reduce climate pollution and prepare communities for climate change impacts.

The planning grant focuses on developing local action plans to combat and adapt to climate change, including community-wide greenhouse gas emissions data collection through the Regional Indicators Initiative at no cost. The implementation grants fund projects that execute existing climate or sustainability plans, aiming to increase community resilience to climate change and reduce contributions to it.

The maximum grant award for both programs is $50,000, with a match requirement based on community population size. Communities with populations under 20,000 need to match 5% of the grant amount, while those with populations of 20,000 or more need to match 50%. Applications are due by January 9, 2025.

MPCA Community Resilience Implementation Grant

The MPCA is also offering $5 million in grants for non-stormwater and non-wastewater projects to enhance community resilience to climate change. Eligible projects include extreme heat mitigation, hardening public assets against extreme weather, upgrading resilience hubs, improving transportation alternatives, wildfire resilience, public water supply projects, and climate resiliency upgrades to publicly owned housing or community storm shelters. Applications are due by December 19, 2024.

Geothermal Planning Grants

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is launching a new grant program to provide financial assistance for examining the feasibility of geothermal energy systems. Grants of up to $150,000 are available for planning geothermal systems that heat and cool buildings. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, townships, and the Metropolitan Council. The program will launch by the end of 2024, with a public webinar scheduled for December 16, 2024.

Next Steps

At WSB, we specialize in helping communities secure funding and grant opportunities through competitive applications, innovative partnerships, and cost-effective approaches. Recently, we assisted a tribe in securing $5 million from the EPA for a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant and helped a city obtain a Solar on Public Buildings grant. Let us know how we can assist you in securing funding to advance your goals.

Amy has nearly 25 years of experience across many industries, particularly energy and agriculture, in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. This experience has provided Amy with a broad background that enables her to meet community and business needs based on the business case for sustainability. By working across interesting systems to simultaneously advance environmental, economic and social goals, she is able to uncover creative solutions. Through her relationship-based approach, Amy meets the unique needs of communities and businesses by working with all areas of the firm to provide comprehensive solutions.

[email protected] | 612.965.1489

WSB strengthens leadership amidst national expansion with strategic hire Corey Johnson

November 19, 2024
Johnson’s role at WSB is valuable as the firm supports clients across the country.

Orlando, Fla. — Design and consulting firm WSB today announced the strategic hiring of Corey Johnson. Johnson supports the firm as director of strategy for digital construction management (DCM).

With 25 years of industry experience, Johnson’s background and expertise make him an asset to WSB. From time as a consultant and solution engineer in civil, to managing design and construction teams, to establishing strong relationships with most Departments of Transportation (DOTs)— Johnson is well equipped to lead WSB to success.

“Corey has a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to provide practical-minded digital delivery,” said Andy Kaiyala, vice president of DCM. “His diverse technical skills coupled with his ability to collaborate with staff and clients is incredibly valuable. The strategic vision, mentorship and guidance Corey provides strengthens the group as we continue to grow.”

In this position, Johnson leads the national effort to expand the firm’s DCM service, prioritizing client engagement to accelerate the adoption of a model-centric future. Additionally, his background and strong relationships support the firm and increase brand awareness.

“I had worked with WSB in the past and always admired how they approached projects,” said Johnson. “WSB is progressive and is targeting the right things to solve real problems. From assembling a strong team to finding solutions for the communities we serve; I knew this would be a good fit.”

The firm first launched DCM in spring of 2023. Since then, the service area and team of experts continue to grow as the firm partners with national brands, raising awareness about the model-centric future for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

WSB, Minneapolis-Based Design and Consulting Firm, Announces Acquisition of Meshek & Associates, LLC

November 12, 2024
Meshek’s footprint strengthens WSB’S presence in the southern U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — WSB LLC (“WSB”), one of the nation’s fastest growing infrastructure engineering and consulting firms, today announced the acquisition of Meshek & Associates, LLC. (“Meshek”), a specialized civil engineering firm based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The strategic addition of Meshek will strengthen WSB’s service offerings and presence in Oklahoma.

“WSB is evolving into a national brand,” announced Bret Weiss, WSB’s president and CEO. “Oklahoma is making significant investments in its infrastructure, boasts a growing economy, and ranks among the top states for job creation, which gives us access to a robust talent pool. Meshek enjoys an excellent reputation and is an ideal fit with our culture and entrepreneurial spirit. We are excited to expand on their success by providing additional services.”

The acquisition of Meshek brings three offices and more than 50 employees into WSB. Combined, WSB now operates over 50 offices with more than 1,500 employees nationwide to serve its clients across the government, commercial and energy markets.

“WSB is a robust and expanding company that aligns perfectly with Meshek and our clients,” stated Brandon Claborn, CEO of Meshek. “For many years, we have been dedicated to providing top-tier service to our clients. By joining WSB, which shares this unwavering dedication, we are excited to gain additional expertise and resources to serve our clients and enhance their strengths and achievements by offering additional services.”

WSB and Meshek will work together to develop a single go-to market approach as WSB in early 2025. This represents WSB’s third acquisition in the last 13 months. In September 2023, the firm acquired Oklahoma-based EST, a 350-person transportation infrastructure engineering firm and in February 2024, WSB acquired Florida-based AE Engineering, a 180-person construction, engineering and inspection (CE&I) firm.

Morrissey Goodale advised Meshek & Associates in connection with the transaction.