WSB to deliver first set of paperless design plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation

The multi-dimensional designs are for the Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that they will deliver the first set of fully digital paperless design plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).  The paperless plans will be delivered later this summer for the Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project.

“The 3D Design Model has allowed us to see the design in a whole new light. We are able see design changes on the fly that provides MnDOT with greater flexibility in the decision-making process,” said MnDOT’s Darren Nelson, Highway 169 Redefine – Elk River project manager.

Historically, the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) industry has been paper-heavy with many DOTs across the nation still requiring traditional plans. The transition to paperless is impacting the entire AEC industry, including DOTs, general contractors and civil engineers.

For the project, WSB advanced the methods and procedures used to implement a Building Information Modeling (BIM) design approach. The approach will result in improved project cost, better risk management and improved quality. The BIM model is built from available data and is highly accurate. The model creates a seamless workflow from design through construction and will import information to the field digitally resulting in efficiencies and better communication.  Once construction is complete, the project is left with an as-built, accurate model that can be used for asset management in the future.

“As engineers, we are motivated by the opportunities to design infrastructure projects that support our communities and this project is no exception,” said Jon Chiglo, WSB’s chief operating officer. “It’s very rewarding to partner with MnDOT to shape the way our entire industry will deliver projects. Based on the benefits, digital delivery is the future and it’s exciting that WSB is leading these efforts.”

To date, the combination of the 3D BIM Model, 4D Model and 5D Cost Structure within a digital design environment has led to many cost savings and benefits even before construction has begun. The true, virtual representation of what will be built has allowed stakeholders to easily review the project impacts.

MnDOT received special funding to convert Highway 169 from the Mississippi River to 197th Ave. to a freeway system through Elk River. The project will convert four at-grade intersections into interchanges and will modify the access of the Highway 169 and Highway 10 interchange. WSB is responsible for delivering the final design.

WSB places #58 on Zweig’s Hot Firm List

WSB was recently named a 2021 Hot Firm by the Zweig Group for the eighth consecutive year. The list honors the fastest growing firms in the AEC industry in the U.S. and Canada.  Firms are ranked based on three-year growth in revenue, by both percentage and dollar growth.  WSB ranks #58 on this year’s list, climbing 14 spots from 2020.

Hot Firm #58

The Zweig Group is the leading research, publishing, and advisory services resource for firms in the AEC industry.  The Zweig Group’s awards programs recognize and celebrate top AEC industry firms in several categories.  Winners will be recognized at the 2021 Elevate AEC Conference in November.

View the complete list of Hot Firm Winners.

WSB Announces 2021 Staff Promotions

WSB is excited to announce our newly promoted staff. As a growing company, we are dependent on the continual development of new talent and leadership. We are fortunate to have such strong and committed leaders that have chosen to invest their careers with us. We are proud to promote these staff to their new roles and are confident that their best years are ahead of them.

Principal

Justin Hansen – Director of GIS Services

Senior Associate

Ben Barker – Right of Way Specialist
Bill Alms – Project Manager
Bob Haseman – Chief Engineer of Houston
Bob Slipka – Sr Landscape Architect
Carl Osberg – Director of Structures
Dan Rogers – Director of Transportation Design – Texas
Diane Hankee – Project Manager
Eric Eckman – Project Manager
Karne Newburn – Corporate Counsel
Lisa Beckman – Sr Right of Way Specialist
Liz Weber – Director of Financial Planning
Mike Molitor – Sr Project Manager
Shibani Bisson – Sr Project Manager

Associates

Adam Jessen – Project Manager
Brandon Nguyen – Sr Project Engineer
Dallas Westerlund – Project Manager
Dan Pfeiffer – Director of Public Engagement
Dustin Tipp – Project Engineer
Eric Breitsprecher – Project Manager
Heather Jones – Project Analyst
Jason Kreger – Civil 3D CAD Manager
Jayson Honer – Project Manager
Jeremy Honga – Professional Land Surveyor
Laura Rescorla – Project Engineer
Marc Drouin – Project Engineer
Nate Osterberg – Pipeline Inspector
Nick Preisler – Project Engineer
Trevett Cullers – Executive Assistant
Val Brennan – Marketing Communications Manager

Graphic with line drawing of a town

WSB ranks #185 on the Engineering News Record’s (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms list.

WSB is proud to land on ENR’s nationally ranked list for the ninth year in a row, moving up 25 spots from last year’s position. The ENR’s top 500 design firms are chosen according to revenue for design services performed. ENR’s mission is to connect diverse sectors of the industry with coverage of issues that include business management, design, construction methods, technology, safety, law, legislation, environment and labor.

The past year has been a year of resilience and gratitude for all of us, and we are honored to be recognized amongst many notable organizations that have continued to serve our communities in these unprecedented times. 

WSB’s rapid growth and national expansion would not be possible without our talented staff and clients, who have been with us over the past 25 years, helping us to build what’s next in infrastructure.

Click to view this year’s full Top 500 Design Firm list.

Chris Petree named WSB’s Director of Operations

Petree will broaden and expand his role outside of the Minnesota market

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that Chris Petree has been named director of operations. Petree joined WSB in 2019 as the firm’s director of Rochester operations focusing his efforts in and around the southeast Minnesota market. Since then, his skills and expertise have extended beyond the Minnesota market. As director of operations, he will now support WSB’s firm-wide operations.

“Since joining WSB, Chris’s leadership and expertise have become true assets for our external clients and internal teams,” said Jon Chiglo, WSB’s chief operating officer. “We are growing quickly into new markets and service offerings and broadening Chris’s role will allow us to continue to drive momentum for WSB.”

Petree will remain at WSB’s Rochester office and will oversee and lead the firm’s work in southeast Minnesota in addition to supporting operations in Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, North Dakota and Arkansas.  He will continue to support municipal clients across all offices by sharing best practices around project management, quality control and client engagement.

“For nearly two years I’ve had a front row seat to supporting WSB’s growth efforts and I’m looking forward to supporting our teams, clients and partners across the nation,” said Petree. “Working in a strong community like Rochester while having the opportunity to support WSB’s big picture efforts is really the best of both worlds.”

WSB and Business Technical Services form alliance

This strategic alliance allows WSB and BTS to deliver solutions to new regions

Engineering and consulting firm WSB and Business Technical Services, LLC (BTS) announced today they have formed an alliance. The two companies will work together to provide comprehensive energy solutions to new clients in new regions.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, BTS is an energy services company specializing in maintaining our existing infrastructure and helping to deliver safe and reliable results. WSB and BTS have a shared vision for protecting our energy infrastructure and a passion for making our communities safe and sustainable.

“We understand the importance of our energy infrastructure and how it powers the communities we support, and call home,” said WSB’s president and CEO Bret Weiss. “The demand for alternative and traditional energy resources is increasing and we are ready to support the needs of the market. This alliance with BTS can help us explore new avenues to share our services, expertise and experience to new and existing clients alike.”     

The primary focus of this alliance will be the energy market. WSB and BTS bring unique expertise to the alliance and will position their collective skills and services to meet the growing needs across the industry. 

“We are impressed by WSB and what they do in the industry,” said Jim Vickers Jr., president of BTS.  “Over the last year, we’ve been working together on projects and have formed a strong relationship.  We are aligned on how to serve our markets and clients and have a passion for improving our infrastructure. It only made sense to move towards a more formal relationship.”

WSB and BTS have collaborated on projects over the past year. This new alliance strengthens that relationship and enables both companies to deliver a broader service offering.

“I admire how BTS approaches their work and how they support their clients,” said John Gerlach, director of pipeline at WSB. “They focus on safety and integrity and have a level of passion for delivering results. I look forward to working more closely with the BTS team and I’m excited for what we can do together.”

25 stories for 25 years | Adam Gadbois

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 10 of 25

Adam Gadbois, Project Engineer | Joined WSB in 2013

What do you think is special about celebrating 25 years as a company? 
25 years is an important milestone for a company.  It’s an entire quarter of a century, but at the same time, it’s only a quarter of a century.  It seems like a long time and it is in a sense, when you look at how WSB has grown from five employees to now over 500.  But I like to compare it to a person turning 25. At 25, you’ve accomplished a lot from graduating high school, moving out of your childhood home, training for your career, starting a family and buying a home. But you’re still only 25, and there’s so much more to be done. When you look at how young WSB is, it’s invigorating and motivating.  WSB will continue to advance and grow in services, personnel and culture. Our staff have an opportunity to shape that growth as the years continue to pass.

In what ways have you been able to grow professionally at WSB?
I’ve received every opportunity to grow professionally at WSB.  Since the day I was hired as a construction inspector to my role now as a project engineer in the Municipal group, I’ve played a variety of roles that have advanced my construction, engineering, and management skills.  I’ve inspected for CenterPoint Energy for municipalities on roadways and new developments, I’ve assisted our Structures group, I’ve worked in MnDOT’s estimation department, I’ve helped draft plans and specifications in the Municipal group, I’ve joined professional organizations and attended technical trainings, I’ve led neighborhood meetings and presented at council meetings, and now I’m managing municipal projects and collaborating with many WSB staff across multiple groups.  I know this varied experience is also not unique to me. I’ll talk to colleagues and be shocked at the cool and unique work they are doing.  You grow by having varied experiences and not just performing monotonous tasks. WSB provides that opportunity for growth. 

What is one thing you want to tell the future leaders of WSB?   
Future leaders should know that our people, our staff, are the most important asset at WSB.  When they are encouraged to work on interesting projects they excel at their jobs, impress our clients and generate more work for the firm.  I know our current leaders know this to be true, so as long as our future leaders are paying attention, I know WSB’s leadership and talent pool will be strong going forward.

Six WSB staff members pass Professional Engineer exam

WSB is pleased to congratulate six team members who recently passed their Professional Engineer exam in Minnesota. The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is an examination required to become a Professional Engineer in the United States. To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, have at least four years of relevant work experience and pass two intensive competency exams.

According to the Society of Women Engineers, only 13 percent of engineers in the workforce today are women. We are proud to announce that five of WSB’s newest Professional Engineers are women.

Congratulations!

Kendra Fallon, PE

Kendra Fallon is part of WSB’s water resources team where she assists in the design, implementation and review of stormwater systems. She joined WSB nearly three years ago and has a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering.

Mallori Fitzpatrick, PE

Mallori Fitzpatrick joined WSB’s transportation team nearly six year ago.  In her role, she focuses on traffic impact studies, analyzes crash data, forecasts traffic volumes, as well as signing, striping, and lighting design plans. She also writes Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) reports and model traffic simulations.

Sheue Torng Lee, PE

Sheue Torng Lee is part of WSB’s pavement management team where she focuses on pavement design, forensics and management and cost-estimating. She has been with WSB for nearly four years.

Kelsey Peterson, PE

Kelsey has been with WSB since 2015.  She works closely with MnDOT to deliver Alternative Delivery projects while also being actively involved in the design and construction of design-bid-build projects with various local clients.  She is most recently the 4D/5D project design lead at WSB.

Laura Rescorla, PE

Laura Rescorla is part of WSB’s water resources team where she designs storm water systems and protects natural resources. In addition to her work as a civil engineer, Laura also leads WSB’s technical career pathway program called Opportunity+.

Philip Schanilec, PE

Philip has been part of WSB’s construction services team for four years.  He specializes in bridge construction, most recently assisting on the 35W River Bridge Replacement project in Burnsville, MN. He has assisted on several large-scale projects throughout the state including the TH 75 project in Moorhead and the Steele County Bridges Design Build project.

WSB raises over $100,000 for local community charities

The consulting firm’s WSB Gives program has raised nearly $500,000 since 2012.

Engineering and consulting firm WSB announced today that they have raised $104,895 for local charities as part of their annual WSB Gives program, surpassing last year’s donation by over $25,000.

The WSB Gives program supports local community organizations throughout the firm’s office locations in Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas and Colorado.  The donations benefit several organizations including Second Harvest Heartland, Channel One Food Bank, Friends in Need Food Shelf, 360 Communities, Catholic Charities, Houston Food Bank, Operation Sandwich, Food Bank of the Rockies, , Austin Food Bank, Every Meal and more.

“Supporting those in need throughout the communities we serve is more important now than ever,” said WSB’s president and CEO Bret Weiss. “Everyone has a little more against them right now and despite it all, we rallied and raised a record high. I am so proud of our staff’s commitment to charitable giving and am truly humbled by their generosity.”

WSB Gives is part of WSB’s overall charitable giving program called WSB Cares. This year, WSB staff contributed to WSB Gives through volunteering, cash donations, nonperishable food and clothing donations, a virtual auction and a raffle.

Since 2012, WSB has partnered with the Engineering CEOs of Minnesota to compete against one another in the annual food drive. This event is an opportunity for the industry to focus their competitive spirts on raising money for those in need. Collectively, the group has raised over $272,000 this year and nearly $2 million since 2012 for over 40 charities and food shelves.