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 197^th 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 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.

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 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

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.

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.”

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.”

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!

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.