AE2S Ranks Sixth “Best Civil Engineering Firm To Work For” In Nation

(September 30, 2009, Grand Forks, N.D.)

Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) was ranked sixth overall “Best Civil Engineering Firm to Work For” in the nation by ZweigWhite, a management consulting and research firm, and engineering media specialists Stagnito Media. Additionally, AE2S ranked second “Best Civil Engineering Firms to Work For” in the small firm category (fewer than 100 people). 

This is the first time AE2S participated in the Best Civil Engineering Firm to Work For competition. The Grand Forks-based company has seven offices throughout the Midwest and employs 95 people. AE2S is the only Midwest firm represented in the Top Ten Civil Engineering category.

AE2S Chief Executive Officer Steve Burian said, “Being a ‘Best Firm to Work For’ is an honor and it wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiastic support of our employees. These accolades demonstrate we are succeeding in our efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest people for AE2S.” Burian is also a founding member of the firm.

Fifteen-year veteran, Roger Grimsley, is the Geometrics Manager in Grand Forks. He said the professional opportunities are phenomenal at AE2S. “If you’re interested in more training, or want to tackle new or larger projects, the company supports those ideals. It a great place to work,” he said. “My children will enter the workforce soon. They notice that I enjoy going to work and I’m happy in my career. They think it’s great and so do I.”

Meredith Quinn is a Project Engineer for AE2S.  She came to the firm two years ago after college graduation, seeking to have a positive impact on water treatment and wastewater management with her career. “AE2S has a reputation for being the best in the state in this field so this is the best place to be,” Quinn said. 

The company encourages Quinn to participate in professional organizations to further her career and education. She is very active in the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and can use company time to work on AWWA activities. “I experience a lot at AE2S beyond designing in a cubical,” Quinn said. “I meet with clients, potential employees, and other engineers who share their ideas. I learn from all of it. AWWA is another educational opportunity for me to become the best at what I do and I appreciate AE2S’ support.”

Employees receive comprehensive salary and benefits packages, but Chief Administrative Officer Sheryl Smith says the company operates with an eye on work-life balance. “Flex-time hours, company sponsored social activities, and plenty of open communication from the top down, make our firm feel like a family,” Smith said. “Our employees are well-trained and committed, but they have names, families, and lives outside these walls. We respect that and try to show it.”

The national competition asked employees and an independent third party to confidentially examine company culture and values, quality of leadership, compensation and benefits, recognition programs, social atmosphere, and professional growth opportunities. 

The results were announced on September 22, at the “2009 Best Firm to Work For” summit in Chicago. This award comes on the heels of AE2S’ 18th anniversary. The firm began as a two-person civil engineering firm in 1991. It attracts specialized engineers and technicians from regional universities and colleges who are looking for opportunities to work on large-scale, multi-million dollar infrastructure projects, utilizing unique technologies.  It has experienced steady growth by despite the weak national economy.

AE2S specializes in water, wastewater, stormwater, municipal, geomatics, instrumentation and controls, and financial services. It has offices in Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fargo, and Williston, N.D.; Minneapolis and Moorhead, Minn.; and Great Falls and Kalispell, Mont.

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Employee Stats:

• AE2S has added 31 employees over the past two years (almost 1/3 of our current staff)
• AE2S continually works with regional university for the best students and use them as interns – most of them come on as full-time employees.  16 of our current employees were once interns about (18 percent of our staff)
• Low turnover – average around 3 percent.

Read the article printed in the October 2009 issue of CE News about AE2S

See the Announcement on the CE News Web Site