WSB hires Christie Saenz to growing right-of-way team

Saenz will lead the firm’s right-of-way efforts in Texas

Austin, Texas – Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that Christie Saenz is joining the organization as a senior right-of-way specialist. Saenz joins the firm’s Austin office where she will lead WSB’s right-of-way efforts throughout Texas.

“I am thrilled to welcome Christie to WSB,” said Jay Kennedy, WSB’s vice president of Texas operations. “In the last year, we’ve been working to expand our expertise in the Texas market and the addition of Christie will continue to drive momentum.”

Saenz joins WSB with over 25 years of experience in the right-of-way industry. Throughout her career, she’s managed the acquisition of over 1,000 parcels for the Texas Department of Transportation and central counties and cities. Most notably, Saenz worked on the SH 99 Grand Parkway, Segments F-2, G-1 & G-2 for Texas Department of Transportation in Harris and Montgomery Counties, SH 36 for Texas Department of Transportation in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties, the Bell Boulevard Realignment for the city of Cedar Park and Dacy Lane Phase II for Hays County in Kyle, Texas.

“I am really looking forward to joining WSB’s fast-growing Texas team and expanding the firm’s right-of-way services,” said Saenz. “Investment in infrastructure and development is strong throughout the state and I see many opportunities to support our client’s right-of-way needs.”

As part of WSB’s right-of-way team, Saenz will support clients with their right-of-way projects by providing project management, acquisition and relocation services. As a consulting engineering firm, WSB provides transportation planning and design, water/wastewater utility work and community planning services throughout the state of Texas.

Bret Weiss, WSB president & CEO, appointed to Governor’s Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles

Bret Weiss, WSB president & CEO, was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles. Formed in 2019, the Council studies, prepares and assesses the opportunities and challenges associated with the widespread adoption of connected and automated vehicles and other intelligent and emerging transportation technologies.

Weiss joins 13 appointed members, twenty ex-officio members and co-chairs Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) commissioner and VSI Labs President, Phil Magney. Each appointed member must have relevant experience in the automotive industry, technology, cybersecurity and data privacy, business and finance, transit, higher education, workforce training, insurance, mobility, freight, labor, public safety, bicycle and pedestrian advocacy, elder care, or tort liability.

“I am thrilled to join such an esteemed group of innovators and trailblazers that will help advance Minnesota’s connected and autonomous vehicle efforts,” said Weiss. “The future of intelligent transportation systems is much closer than we think. As a state, we’re at the forefront of developing strategic solutions that will only help strengthen Minnesota’s infrastructure.”

Weiss’ experience with infrastructure-related engineering and transit systems will assist the Council as they work together to review connected and automated vehicle development and trends, explore partnership opportunities, propose policies to safely test and deploy connected and automated vehicles and consult with communities experiencing transportation barriers.

As a firm, WSB has partnered with MnDOT on several initiatives related to connected and automated vehicles including the current CAV Strategic Communications, Engagement, and Relationship Building Framework Plan, the Minnesota CAV Strategic Plan and the 2017/2018 testing of connected and automated vehicles in winter conditions.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the appointments in a press release earlier this month. The full announcement is available at https://mn.gov/governor/news/?id=1055-442968.

Tips for Managing Back-To-School Traffic this Fall

By Alyson Fauske, Sr. Project Manager, WSB

COVID-19 has changed the way we do so many things in life and our children returning to school will be no exception. The school districts have designed five different scenarios to chose from for teaching our children in the 2020-2021 school year, based on the number of reported local COVID cases. Proposed options include full-time, in-person learning and hybrid learning, which have students attending in-person class two days a week. There will be challenges around getting students to school safely and efficiently. Here are five ways to help you facilitate the return of students.

Vehicle traffic to schools will likely increase due to physical distancing requirements limiting bus capacities and parents may elect to drive their student to minimize the student’s physical interaction with others. Estimate how many additional vehicles will be dropping-off/picking-up and what streets they will likely travel. Communicate with your municipality if you believe any of the nearby streets may experience increased congestion. 

Shuttle busses can be used to reduce the vehicle traffic to the school by providing shorter, more frequent trips, between the school and a nearby facility. Large commercial sites, office buildings, or parks may be good candidates for a shuttle site; be sure to check with the property owner first.  Many counties have property information mapping available on their website that can be used to determine who owns the property.

Encourage alternative modes of transportation to the school such as walking, biking, or other non-motorized methods. An added benefit is a little exercise and fresh air. 

Multi-modal transportation is an option for students that live too far from the school to walk or bike the entire way.  Parents can drive to a nearby park or place of business and the remainder of the trip to school can be on foot, bike, scooter, or other non-motorized method. 

Site circulation through the parking lot should be evaluated to determine if there is enough space for vehicles to line up for the student drop-off/pick-up location. If the need for on-site parking is reduced, consider using traffic cones and signage to mark space for additional lanes during vehicle queuing. Identify locations where students who walk or bike may encounter vehicle traffic once they are on campus and develop a plan to get them through the area as safely as possible. Ideas include using traffic cones to designate a pedestrian lane or having a staff member in a safety vest assist students into the school.

Alyson is a Senior Project Manager in WSB’s Municipal Group and the City Engineer for the City of Minnetrista. With 20 years of engineering experience in the municipal industry, Alyson Fauske has built her career providing municipal engineering services throughout the Twin Cities.

[email protected] | 763.512.5244

25 stories for 25 years | Chuck Kochmann

On October 5, 2020, WSB will celebrate our 25th year in business. Since 1995, we’ve added new service areas, expanded our reach and served our communities.  Throughout our tenure, our dedicated staff has been a constant.

In honor of our 25th year, we’ll be highlighting 25 stories of the people behind the projects.

Story 4 of 25

Chuck Kochmann, Transportation Engineering Specialist | Joined WSB in 1995

What do you think is special about celebrating 25 years as a company?

I’ve been lucky to have worked at WSB since the very beginning. I’ve seen many people come and go over the years and maybe it’s just a job to them, but to me it’s more as a commitment to this company. It doesn’t seem like people stay at a company for 25 years anymore.  We started small and we’ve evolved into something much bigger. I really like what I do and the people I work with. I’ve had great opportunities to build my skills and relationships and I think that’s something special you can gain when you’ve worked somewhere for 25 years.

What has been the most memorable moment in your career at WSB?

One of my most memorable moments to-date happened recently. I was able to attend the ribbon cutting for the Rockford Road Bridge in Plymouth, Minn. This was an important and fast-paced project for a longstanding client. Going to the event and listening to people talk about how much this project meant to their community was gratifying. I am proud to have been part of that project.

What about your work gives you energy?

I really enjoy solving challenging problems. When there’s a complicated situation or a tight timeline it makes you dig a bit deeper and be more focused. I feel accomplished when we work together through a challenging project and doesn’t appear to work the way it should. It’s rewarding to find a design solution that fits seamlessly into the community.

How has WSB supported your career goals?

I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to mentor and teach new staff.  It’s fun to watch our staff evolve and grow. We try to erase the mistakes of the past before they happen. We all learn from the past while incorporating new ideas and our newest staff members get to take full advantage of the lessons we’ve learned while helping to shape the future.

Why do our clients continue to work with us?

I think our ability to consistently deliver solid designs and projects sets us apart. I think our clients depend on us to get the job done well. We are professionals in our project delivery, materials and how we manage things. Our projects reflect that.

25 stories for 25 years | Dan Rogers

On October 5, 2020, WSB will celebrate our 25th year in business. Since 1995, we’ve added new service areas, expanded our reach and served our communities.  Throughout our tenure, our dedicated staff has been a constant.

In honor of our 25th year, we’ll be highlighting 25 stories of the people behind the projects.

Story 3 of 25

Dan Rogers, Director of Transportation Design – Texas | Joined WSB in 2018

What do you think is special about celebrating 25 years as a company?

I think it’s very special to work for a company that has survived and prospered for 25 years. Throughout WSB’s entire tenure, it has maintained a high level of passion for providing exceptional services while staying true to the firm’s values. Although services have been added, we’ve remained committed to serving our clients with our expertise. I think this type of approach bodes well for the future of WSB.

What has been the most memorable moment in your career at WSB?

One of the most memorable moments was hearing Bret Weiss, our CEO, speak at the most recent annual dinner in Minneapolis. I felt inspired and energized after the event. Bret brings great passion to his work and I find it infectious.

We believe in building what’s next in infrastructure – how do you live that value in your work?

We’re really on the cutting-edge of embracing what’s next in infrastructure. In Texas, we are very focused on learning, implementing and ultimately excelling at BIM-based design.  Over the next few years, these platforms will help automate construction.  It’s exciting to not only be thinking of future innovations but leaning into the change in our industry.

What WSB value to you connect most with? (Bold, Visionary, Authentic, Passionate, Optimistic)

I connect most with our passionate value. I’m pretty passionate about what I do because at the end of the day, we’re making people’s lives better. We’re facilitating improvements to infrastructure that make the roads and water safer. I appreciate the opportunity to have an impact on the community and the people who live in them.

What is one thing you want to tell the future leaders of WSB?

Maintain leadership’s commitment to our core values.  Keep the ship running and continue to move forward. It’s easy for companies to shift priorities and direction with changes in leadership. WSB has come a long way in 25 years and maintaining those core values will help drive us successfully through the next 25.

Zweig Group honors WSB with Marketing Excellence Awards and Hot Firm listing

The Zweig Group, the leading research, publishing and advisory services resource for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, has honored WSB with four awards in marketing and overall firm growth.

Every year, the organization offers an awards program that specifically recognizes outstanding work within the AEC industry throughout North America.

Marketing Excellence Awards

Zweig recently announced the winners of the 2020 Marketing Excellence Awards for outstanding, results-driven marketing. Zweig awards the top five firms in each possible category. WSB ranked first place in two categories and second in another.

Award entries were judged by a team of marketing professionals and evaluated based upon overall creativity, messaging, results achieved by the campaign, and level of design.

External Newsletter | WSB Newsletter | 1st Place

The WSB Newsletter received a first-place award in the External Newsletter category and is our twice-yearly publication that we send to many of our clients. For nearly 10 years, WSB has mailed a newsletter highlighting projects, innovations, techniques and news. After our rebrand in 2018, we decided it was time to re-evaluate our newsletter strategy. We dedicate many of our resources to digital marketing and communications initiatives, but we still believe in the power of a well-done direct mail piece.

Internal Newsletter | Year In Review | 1st Place

The Year In Review received a first-place award in the Internal Newsletter category. The annual internal publication’s goal is simple – to tell the story of WSB to our staff. This year, we decided to take a unique approach to the assembly of our publication. We organized our content based on our firm values and wrote about our regional operations based on these values.

Internal Marketing | Intersection (WSB Internal Portal) | 2nd Place

WSB’s internal portal received a second-place award in the Internal Marketing category. WSB has always believed in creating a company culture that brings people together. As our firm expanded to 500 staff and 14 office locations across four states, we re-evaluated our internal communications to focus more heavily on sharing information and staying connected. The redesigned portal site offers an improved user experience featuring a mobile-friendly design, company directory, easy-to-access resources and enhanced search and navigation.

Hot Firm Award | #72

The Zweig Group announced the 2020 Hot Firm List in early July, honoring the fastest growing firms in the AEC industry. Firms are ranked based on three-year growth revenue, by both percentage and dollar growth. WSB ranked #72 on this year’s list marking our seventh consecutive year on the list.

Winners of the Marketing Excellence Awards and Hot Firm Award will be honored at the 2020 Elevate AEC Conference in Denver, CO, September 30-October 2 and at Zweig Group’s Virtual Elevate AEC Conference on October 16. Winners will also be featured in Zweig Group’s weekly management newsletter, The Zweig Letter, and Zweig Group’s other marketing channels.

The Complete list of Marketing Excellence Award Winners can be accessed here:  https://bit.ly/2W16Nxd. The complete list of Hot Firm winners can be accessed here: https://www.zweiggroup.com/2020-hot-firm-list/.

25 stories for 25 years | Kian Sabeti

On October 5, 2020, WSB will celebrate our 25th year in business. Since 1995, we’ve added new service areas, expanded our reach and served our communities.  Throughout our tenure, our dedicated staff has been a constant.

In honor of our 25th year, we’ll be highlighting 25 stories of the people behind the projects.

Story 2 of 25

Kian Sabeti, Vice President of Strategy | Joined WSB in 2015

What do you think is special about celebrating 25 years as a company? 

Twenty-five years is a milestone that defines success.  It’s a testament to the founders staying true to their vision through a commitment to their clients, partners, and employees. Over this period of time, WSB has grown from a small, five-person firm to today’s 500-employee strong company. 

Time is often measured through events and WSB has weathered Y2K, the Great Recession, and now COVID-19, among others.  Each time coming out stronger, which speaks to the perseverance and agility of our staff and leadership to navigate headwinds. 

During my own five-year tenure, I have seen firsthand the fortitude and true leadership of how we responded to the COVID-19 crisis.

What is one thing you want to tell the future leaders of WSB? 

Challenge yourself, be authentic, be passionate, trust your instincts and stay humble. The hallmark of a true leader is to lift and recognize the talented people around you. Know that there is an army of people here to help you build our next great success story.

What about your work gives you energy?

Winning work and satisfying clients, while mentoring the next generation of leaders, gives me energy.

Winning projects is the fuel behind the WSB engine. Strategizing our course of action, assembling the right team and writing winning proposals positions WSB for success and allows our staff and company to grow and prosper.

Mentoring is more than the transfer of advice and knowledge. The satisfaction of sharing skills and experience and developing a relationship with a mentee provides pure joy and stokes the passion to work each day.

25 stories for 25 years | Chris Petree

On October 5, 2020, WSB will celebrate our 25th year in business. Since 1995, we’ve added new service areas, expanded our reach and served our communities.  Throughout our tenure, our dedicated staff has been a constant.

In honor of our 25th year, we’ll be highlighting 25 stories of the people behind the projects.

Story 1 of 25

Chris Petree, Director of Rochester Operations | Joined WSB in 2019

What do you think is special about celebrating 25 years as a company? 

I remember when WSB was a small company and today we’ve grown into an industry leader without sacrificing our founding principles and core values. Throughout the firm’s 25 years, the team has led with integrity and integrity has remained a constant.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career at WSB? 

It wasn’t when I was employed with WSB, but rather when I was one of WSB’s clients. While I was in Lakeville as the Director of Public Works, I partnered with WSB to create a comprehensive pavement management program that resulted in one of the most aggressive street reconstruction programs in the state.  I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished together for the Lakeville community.

What WSB value do you connect most with? (Bold, Visionary, Authentic, Passionate, Optimistic) 

I connect with all of them, but honestly my top value is being authentic. I witnessed WSB’s authenticity as a client and I find it to be true as a staff member. I came to WSB after over 24 years in the public sector and I wasn’t asked to change my style, approach or beliefs. Instead, I have been encouraged to bring my authentic self to the clients we serve.

What about your work gives you energy? 

Making an impact for our clients and their communities.  It’s energizing to form partnerships and collaborate to find creative solutions not just for this generation, but for the generations of the future.

Why do our clients continue to work with us?   

I think clients work with us because of our core values.  We bring these values into every project, idea and client interaction.  I also think that WSB has hired and retained some of the top professionals in the industry and our clients benefit from that expertise.

WSB Selected to Design TH 169, Rebuilding Gateway to Greater Minnesota

WSB is thrilled to partner with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to provide final roadway and bridge design services for the Highway 169 (TH 169) Reconstruction Project.

TH 169 is a significant north-south highway in Minnesota. It serves rapidly developing communities and is a gateway to exploring recreational areas in Greater Minnesota. The highway is heavily traveled by both vehicles and pedestrians. Expanding the highway is intended to improve safety and reduce the average rate of collisions in the area.

Jody Martinson, vice president of transportation at WSB, anticipates this project will have a lasting impact and looks forward to delivering a safer commute for surrounding communities.

“This project is incredibly important to users of the TH 169 corridor,” said Martinson. “Being able to work side-by-side with MnDOT to improve the safety and mobility for motorists and pedestrians is extremely gratifying. WSB is excited to utilize technology and innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of design and construction.”

The reconstruction will address operational, infrastructure and mobility issues, all important elements considered when the project was selected for the Corridors of Commerce (CoC) program. The project will replace four signalized intersections with interchanges and consolidate access points, drastically improving safety and mobility. Local roadways will be reconstructed to create ADA accessible routes at the interchanges. The TH 169 project is expected to reduce roadway delay by more than 1,000 hours per day, eliminate $1.7 million in annual crash costs, and provide more reliable travel times for the public.

The project is also a CMGC project. As a CMGC (Construction Manager/General Contractor), the process will involve several stakeholders and team members throughout the design and construction process. The project will also require strong coordination and communication with MnDOT. Project manager, Peter Muehlbach formed an expert team to ensure the CMGC process is efficient, effective and economical for reconstruction.

“When fully utilized, the CMGC design process allows for a more collaborative work environment between designer and contractor,” said Muehlbach. “I am excited for the opportunity to make design decisions together with our MnDOT, Sherburne County, city of Elk River and Ames Construction partners.”

Additionally, the project team will leverage state-of-the-art and emerging technologies to provide sustainable solutions during the design phase. By utilizing modeling tools, WSB will streamline construction management, drainage and utility relocation processes.

Planning for the TH 169 Reconstruction Project is underway with final design set to begin this summer. Phased construction will begin in fall 2022 with project completion set for 2024.

WSB promotes Meghan Litsey to lead firm’s environmental compliance efforts

Local engineering firm WSB today announced the promotion of Meghan Litsey to director of environmental compliance. Litsey will oversee the firm’s environmental compliance services and will focus on advancing projects for the firm’s construction, municipal and environmental divisions.

“Meghan is a natural leader who has grown through the ranks at WSB,” said Mike Rief, WSB’s senior vice president of construction services. “She has earned the trust of both field and office staff and shows immense strength and leadership in challenging situations.”

Litsey has worked in the erosion and stormwater industry for nearly ten years and joined WSB in 2014. Throughout her tenure at the firm, she’s held many positions within the environmental compliance service area and is a Certified professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. She recently worked on several high-profile projects throughout the state including supporting the contract environmental compliance officer on the Highway 371 Four-Lane Expansion and prepared and completed the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the I-35 Minnesota River Bridge.

“I’m looking forward to stepping into this leadership role,” said Litsey. “I’m most excited to elevate the team to support and grow WSB’s compliance services in Minnesota and other markets. There is a big opportunity in front of us and we have a talented team ready to drive us forward.”

WSB is the fourth-largest engineering firm in the Twin Cities and has 14 offices in four states.

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