Best nine of 2019

As we forge ahead into the new year, we also acknowledge and reflect on our past accomplishments.

Here are our best nine moments and industry wins of 2019.

9.Diversifying our industry through Opportunity+. Opportunity+ is part of a larger diversity and inclusion initiative centered around recruiting, welcoming, supporting, retaining and building a diverse workforce.

8.WSB Career Cards.
WSB recently launched a series of collectible career cards to introduce young boys and girls to the extraordinary world of engineering and STEM career possibilities.

7.WSB welcomes Chris Petree, Jody Martinson, Shelley Hanson, Klay Eckles to the team.
We made several strategic hires to help bolster our operations and better serve our clients in 2019.

6.Project award wins from APWA, CEAM, ACEC-MN.
WSB was honored to received project awards from the American Public Works Association, City Engineers Association of Minnesota and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota.

5.Celebrating 24 years.
Our President and CEO, Bret Weiss, reflected on the past 24 years at WSB.

4.Denver office expansion.
WSB opened a new Denver office to our expand region-wide services.

3.The launch of FisH2O.
Finding an eco-friendly solution to the disposal of invasive species.

2.Austin office expansion.
WSB opened a new Austin office to expand engineering, design and consulting services.

1.Industry recognition from the Star Tribune, Zweig Group and Engineering News Record.
WSB was honored to be named a Top 150 Workplace, Hot Firm and Top 500 Design Firm.

WSB receives ACEC-MN Honor Awards

Engineering Excellence Awards

On Friday, January 24, the American Council of Engineering-Minnesota (ACEC-MN) awarded WSB two Honor Awards for the Fallon Avenue Overpass and Minnesota Highway 52: Victory Drive Memorial Corridor at the 53rd Annual Excellence in Engineering Awards Banquet in Brooklyn Park.

The Engineering Excellence Awards Program recognizes engineering achievements that exhibit the highest degree of merit and ingenuity. Entries are based on originality and innovation; future value to the engineering profession; social, economic and sustainable design considerations; complexity and client expectations. Minnesota engineering firms across the state enter their most innovative projects and studies hoping to be recognized for the work they’ve done to make the state stronger.

Fallon Avenue Overpass

The Fallon Avenue Overpass project is known as a bridge that connects the community. Situated along both sides of I-94, the Fallon Overpass serves as a major local connection in the city that improves transportation, economic development opportunities and public safety.

The project was conceived over two decades ago to provide a local gateway for growth and economic development for the community. Since 1994, the city of Monticello has experienced significant growth, and the Fallon Avenue Overpass provides a critical alternative crossing over I-94 to alleviate heavy traffic on Trunk Highway 25, which has approximately 40,000 vehicles per day, and CSAH 18. The over $9 million project included several project partners and required coordination of many stakeholders.

Minnesota Highway 52: Victory Drive Memorial Corridor

Along the shady stretches of Minnesota Highway 22, known locally as “Victory Drive,” 1,170 trees were planted to honor veterans from Beauford, Mankato and Mapleton. The trees represent the veterans who gave their lives in World Wars I and II.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation prioritized the total reconstruction of 11 miles of Victory Drive over two construction seasons, beginning in 2017. WSB was selected to complete preliminary and final design of the highway and the replacement of the bridge over the Cobb River, a popular canoeing route. During the project’s public outreach program, WSB’s Landscape Architectural Group was given the unique opportunity to work with the community to gather perspectives on how best to perpetuate the highway’s living veterans memorial for generations to come.

WSB hires new director of Rochester operations

Rochester, Minn. – Engineering and consulting firm WSB today announced that Chris Petree is joining the organization as the director of Rochester operations. As the former public works director for the City of Rochester, Petree joins the firm with more than two decades of experience working for municipalities.

“I am thrilled to welcome Chris to our firm. For several years, he has partnered with WSB on many projects and I am confident that he will help drive momentum for WSB,” said Bret Weiss, WSB’s President & CEO. “Chris is known for his leadership and commitment to the public works industry. I look forward to introducing him to our clients and the entire WSB team.”

In his previous role with the City of Rochester, Petree was responsible for the supervision, management, planning and coordination of all activities of the Rochester Public Works department, from transit and land development to wastewater and stormwater management, as well as the oversight of 160 employees and a multi-million-dollar annual operating budget. Petree also previously served as public works director for the cities of Lakeville and Hugo.

“We are so fortunate to have Chris join our municipal team here at WSB,” said Monica Heil, WSB’s senior director of Municipal Services. “His strong connection to the community and extensive experience working with cities across a variety of services make him an invaluable addition to our operations.”

As part of WSB’s municipal team, Petree will lead operations and projects in Rochester, oversee the firm’s work in southeast Minnesota, and support clients across all offices by sharing best practices around project management, quality control and client engagement. As a consulting engineering firm, WSB often works with municipal clients on projects ranging from public engagement plans to road improvements.

“I’ve worked alongside WSB for over 20 years and I am thrilled to be joining their team,” said Petree. “I look forward to delivering for our clients in the Rochester area and supporting our efforts across the country.” 

New Land Use Planning Review Process in Texas

As of September 1, Texas has made several changes to the land use planning review process. Specifically, the site plan and subdivision platting approval processes have been shortened to 30 days. The chart to the right demonstrates the revised work flow and timelines used in order to compile with the new planning review process. This new schedule is increasing pressure on local municipalities who are likely feeling pressure to comply with the new application process.

Our community planning team is experienced with navigating legislative and ordinance process changes that create tight deadlines. We have spent years leading clients through city internal reviews and staff capacity issues. By assisting with ordinance and procedural changes, tracking applications, handling communications, and ensuring that all statutory requirements are met, we help our clients meet the needs of their communities. Our team uses an interactive and quality control approach to account for every detail to ensure our clients’ success and the smooth operation of their Planning Department.

Client communities can relax and feel confident that their boards, councils and commissions have all the information they need to make educated decisions during the changing legislative landscape and the entire planning review process.

Learn more about how we can help, contact us.

A note from our CEO | Celebrating 24 years of WSB

October 4, 2019 marks WSB’s 24th year of business. Every year on our firm’s anniversary, I reflect on WSB’s journey. Recently, I was in New York City at a conference and was reminiscing on the past 24 years and thinking about the future. While in New York, I saw the musical Hamilton again and began to understand why I’m drawn to it. One of the early songs in Hamilton is called “My Shot.” Alexander Hamilton sings about his place in history and how he is not going to throw away the opportunity that he has been given. He says that he is like his country, “young, scrappy and hungry.” That description is a good way to describe WSB founders Ron Bray, Pete Willenbring, Don Sterna and myself 24 years ago. In terms of firm age and staff, that description remains true in 2019. We have grown from seven staff in one oversized office in 1995 to more than 500 staff in 12 offices throughout four states today. Our secret sauce has always been our attitude of hunger and scrappiness – now reflected in our WSB Way values that remind us to be bold, authentic, passionate, optimistic and visionary.

As four founders on the verge of something new, we didn’t throw away our shot and we continue to work every day to provide opportunities to our staff so they can take their shot in a supportive and collaborative environment. Now 24 years later, I am more inspired by our team and have more passion and fire to be the best that we can be. Our industry is changing at a pace that we haven’t seen before, and we must be at the forefront of that change. I’m amazed when successful companies choose to relax and rest on past successes. Nothing is promised to us and without continued improvement and change, those companies will not exist in the future. From technology, productivity, sustainability to diversity, there is much more to do, and I believe that we are well-positioned to continue to lead. In recent years, we’ve been improving quality, expanding our offerings to new markets and service areas, and focusing on hiring and developing an amazing team. I am so thankful for our staff and clients who have helped build WSB and I am excited for our future successes as we begin to celebrate our 25th year in 2020.

In the musical, Hamilton’s wife says that he writes like he is running out of time. I can appreciate that feeling as we race to be our best. WSB is still a young company and there is much more ahead of us. My advice to our staff is to keep their heads up and watch for opportunities. Don’t make assumptions or preplan your career. You might miss out on something wonderful that you couldn’t have imagined. We have lived by that philosophy over the past 24 years and I know that our 25th year will be no different.

Today, we take time to celebrate the success we have had for 24 years, and after we will look to the future and move forward with passion, optimism and a bold vision to be the most authentic firm we can be. As Alexander Hamilton says, “That would be enough!”

WSB opens Denver office to expand region-wide services

Denver, Colorado – Fast-growing Minneapolis-based consulting and design firm WSB opened a new Denver office this week at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village. The new office will allow WSB to recruit and retain additional talent to serve clients in the Denver area. WSB, which provides engineering, planning, environmental, traffic analysis, landscape architecture, survey, and construction services for the public and private sectors, has been rapidly growing in the Denver area over the last year.

“We’ve been expanding our capabilities in the Colorado market over the past year and this new office marks our commitment to growing our services and team,” said WSB President and CEO Bret Weiss. “Clients throughout Colorado have access to the same full-service experience, advanced technology and industry-leading expertise offered through WSB.”

The Denver office is WSB’s second location in Colorado. The firm has had a dedicated Utility and Pipeline team in Westminster since earlier this year. WSB began expanding in Colorado through the acquisition of Legacy Engineering, Inc., a Denver-based land development engineering services firm. The new 3,400-square-foot office includes room for the current 11-person Denver team to expand up to 17 people.

“WSB is growing a new family here in Colorado,” said Jim Mill, principal and Denver office lead. “The new office reflects WSB’s culture and we are excited to share this with more people in this market.  A brick-and-mortar location adds some permanence to our Colorado operations and is attractive both for our team members and clients.”

Headquartered in Minneapolis, WSB is the fourth-largest engineering firm in the Twin Cities. When it was founded in 1995, the company had five staff, one office and three different services areas. Today, the company offers services in more than 25 areas, employs more than 450 people and has expanded its markets beyond Minnesota with 12 offices across four different states.

Bringing back the bees

Andi Moffat, Vice President of Environmental Services, WSB

At first glance, reducing the number of bugs, moths, and bees may seem like a good idea to enable people to spend more quality time outdoors. In reality, it’s a major issue that affects everything from local habitat to the agriculture in the United States and around the world. These insects are pollinators and their travel from plant to plant helps to pollinate flowers. These flowers can be native prairie or woodland plants, apples, raspberries, cucumbers, and even hay crops for the livestock industry. So even if thriving wildlife habitat doesn’t peak your interest, being able to put food on the table should.

Between the loss of habitat, use of pesticides, insect disease, and crops designed to kill insects, pollinators are declining. While this may seem like a daunting national challenge to try and tackle, but steps are being taken to bring the message to communities and to take a very local approach– all the way down to individual yards.

At the local level, the State of Minnesota has provided the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) funding to develop the “Lawns to Legumes” program that focuses on planting residential lawns with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants. The goal of this pilot program is to offer cost-share, technical assistance, and planting guides to eligible Minnesota residents to install pollinator-friendly native plantings in their yard.

While individual homeowners can get involved with BWSR, there will also be a call for local partners to create demonstration neighborhoods. Eligible applicants will include cities, counties, and watershed districts. The idea is that by turning the urban lawn desert into small pockets of pollinator friendly gardens, it will have an overall positive impact for these important species.

Learn more about the program or, if you are interested in responding to the RFP that is expected to be released in December, please contact Andi Moffatt at [email protected] 763-287-7196.

Andi is a Vice President with more than 23 years of experience leading people and projects that include planning, environmental, energy, highway, natural resources, construction and development. She oversees our Environmental services and approaches her work with passion and positivity.

WSB adds fish logistics company to create FisH2O

August 28, 2019

FisH2O will coordinate the removal and sale of carp to sustainably close the loop on WSB’s water quality management service

Minneapolis, Minn. – Design and consulting firm WSB today announced that the company has acquired the commercial carp logistics arm of Blair Fish to enhance its innovative invasive species management services. WSB will rebrand this fully owned subsidiary under FisH2O. The acquisition will allow WSB to implement a sustainable approach to its growing fishery business, water quality management and carp management. By tagging, capturing, diverting, transporting and selling carp to markets that will utilize the fish, FisH2O closes a sustainability gap that doesn’t currently exist in the marketplace.

“We are excited to launch FisH2O and expand our aquatic invasive species management program to tackle water quality issues across the United States,” said Bret Weiss, CEO at WSB. “Our clients benefit from an integrated approach to the management of carp and other invasive species to improve the ecology of lakes and other bodies of water. Finding an eco-friendly solution to the disposal of this invasive species is something we’re proud of.”

An abundance of carp can result in poor water quality due to reduced aquatic vegetation and excessive biomass. WSB has offered aquatic invasive species and carp management services since 2014. The firm works with watershed districts, lake associations, cities and tribes to improve water quality through the development of an integrated management plan, based on rigorous data collection, and removal of invasive species.

At WSB, a carp integrated management plan begins by quantifying the scale of the carp population through the development of a population and biomass estimate. This data helps clients determine whether populations are having a detrimental impact. WSB utilizes proven approaches for the management and removal as well as innovative techniques to capture the invasive fish, such as electrofishing, box netting, acoustic herding and barrier technology.

 “Many communities are currently struggling with carp populations and invasive species are changing the way we enjoy lakes,” said Tony Havranek, WSB senior ecologist leading the program. “By combining FisH2O with our services at a larger scale, we are able to bring the cycle full-circle and find uses for these fish.”

Now with FisH2O, clients can expect that WSB offers a one-stop-shop for water quality management, removing the hassle of coordinating multiple vendors. WSB and FisH2O will scientifically manage, remove, transport and sell the fish. Some invasive species are edible and can be sold to restaurants and grocers. The fish is also used for bait, fertilizer and pet food. “I’m excited to hit the ground running to grow FisH2O throughout the U.S.,” said Tim Adams, FisH2O fisheries logistics manager. “We want to be known as a friendly fish company that is taking sustainability to the next level – a solution that was much needed in the management of invasive species.”

Q&A – Lee Gustafson

Lee Gustafson is our Vice President of Municipal Services. Lee oversees the growth and management of the municipal market. He is a respected municipal engineer and a great example of what it means to be committed to our clients. Recently, a member of our marketing team spoke with Lee to gain his insight on client relations and the future of our firm.

Q: You’ve been with WSB for four years now. What about WSB keeps you coming through the door every day?

What keeps me coming through the door is what got me here in the first place. I had options and chose to come to WSB because of the culture and the ability to be creative and innovative. I’ve been told by my peers that I’m not a typical engineer and I think that’s true. I like to push boundaries and be inspired. At WSB, I’m able to blend my passions and come up with cool solutions. I use the word ‘cool’ a lot because I’m not sure how else to describe it. I feel energized when I walk through the door and it’s one of the reasons I’m still here.

Q: You spent 20 years working as the City Engineer for Minnetonka. How is your role at WSB different?

It’s similar and different in many ways, but that’s what I like most about it.  It’s similar in the way that I get to work on some challenging and exciting projects, but it’s different because I get to work throughout the state of Minnesota. At this point later in my career, I need excitement and want to be kept on my toes. My role strikes a nice balance between all of it.

Q: Where do you see the engineering industry heading? What do you think will be different in 10 years?

Wherever it’s heading, I’ll be looking at it from a seat on my boat! But seriously, technology is going to, and is already, change everything.  Someday in the future, I envision that we will be able to drive a corridor with some type of device and by the time we return to the office, we’ll have everything digitally downloaded and ready to start designing. I don’t think we’ll depend on paper plans as much and I think that we’ll really rely on 3D technology. Access to information from anywhere is going to become increasingly important. I love change, but it can be scary to some. Change creates tremendous opportunities and I’m excited to see a younger generation of engineers embrace what’s next.

“We work together to understand our clients’ needs and mentor our new staff to set them up for success in the same way.”

Q: What has made the most impact on you throughout your career?

Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky to have been deeply involved in professional organizations. These organizations have provided benefits to both me and my employers. My employers have supported my involvement and I’ve been given the opportunity to participate at a high level both regionally and nationally. The relationships and knowledge I’ve gained from these experiences has been invaluable.

Q: We’ve made a lot of changes in the past year – how do you think that is setting us up for success?

The changes that are occurring within WSB sets us up for continued success and growth. This growth will extend to the services we provide for our clients, the tools we use, and the teams we can form. Growing our staff will give us access to new ideas and a diversity of thoughts and applications. As we grow, we can carry our brand of customer service with us wherever we go.

Q: Our culture is important at WSB. What gives it that special something?

Our ability to be creative and the encouragement our staff gets to be bold really drives our culture. WSB needs all types of people to be successful.  We need people who understand the ins and outs of traditional design and engineering, and we need people who understand how to take the traditional way and push us one step further. These people can understand and implement strategies and continue to push boundaries. One thing remains constant: we all rally around our clients. We work together to understand our clients’ needs and mentor our new staff to set them up for success in the same way.

Q: We really value our strong client relationships. How do you hope we can maintain these as we continue to grow?

This is easy! Our commitment to good customer service. Having been a client of WSB for 20 years and being a client of other firms for nearly 30 years, I have a unique perspective on what good customer service is and how to form solid client relationships. We’ve cornered the market on that.  Customer service is everything from how we invoice to how we partner to provide long-term strategies. It’s imperative that every staff member who comes through the door at all of our offices understand this. Every client is different, and no two clients are the same. We need to continue to inspire each other to discover creative and thoughtful solutions that look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow.

“We’ve dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships and I think it shows in every project and every connection. ”

Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?

Going to Hawaii! But-work-related, rolling out all our new IT applications both internally and externally. I think our clients will be amazed at some of the applications we’re developing and how it can assist them in their day-to-day operations. We’re taking technology to the next level with our IT, GIS and Visualization service offerings. It’s a really exciting time and I’m glad we’re at the forefront of this.

Q: What do you wish you could tell our clients about working with us?

I wish I could tell every client that we believe in partnerships. We’re not promising there won’t ever be a bump in a road and we’re not perfect, but as a firm, we’re committed to working with our clients to smooth out those bumps and work together to solve infrastructure challenges. We’ve dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships and I think it shows in every project and every connection.

Q: We talk a lot about the future here. It’s unknown and it’s exciting. What do you think that says about WSB?

Throughout my career, the next five years into the future has always brought something new.  New trends, tools, technologies and more importantly – ways to do our jobs better. The future that I’ve seen and the future that I believe is coming allows us to take our projects to the next level. Demonstrating our projects and why they are or will be successful in an easy to understand manner will become increasingly important to the public and decision makers. I think we’re well-prepared and I can’t wait for what’s next.

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