Architecture, engineering, and design firm Wightman is preparing to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of growth from a small, local firm into a multidisciplinary consulting company serving communities across the Great Lakes region.
Founded in November 1946, Wightman began as a one-room office in downtown St. Joseph opened by engineer and surveyor G.L. Wightman. In the post-World War II era, his vision of professional integrity and quality service laid the foundation for what has become an award-winning firm specializing in architecture, civil engineering, and surveying, with expanded services including interior design, GIS, and reality capture.
According to the firm, beginning in January 2026, Wightman will launch a year-long anniversary celebration highlighting its history of partnership, innovation, and community impact. The firm plans to share notable project highlights from the past 80 years, recognize employees who have helped shape its legacy, and engage clients and partners through events and initiatives that reflect its long-standing commitment to service.
Over the decades, Wightman has expanded through leadership transitions, new office openings in Michigan and Indiana, and a series of acquisitions and consolidations that broadened its capabilities while maintaining its core mission of creating lasting, positive impact for the communities it serves.
“Our 80th anniversary is more than a milestone; it’s a celebration of the clients, partners, employees, and communities who have trusted us for generations,” said Steve Carlisle, president of Wightman. “As we reflect on our past, we’re also energized by the future and our continued commitment to enhancing the places where people live, learn, work, and play.”
Today, Wightman employs more than 200 professionals and serves commercial, education, energy, and government clients from offices across Michigan and Indiana. As the firm looks ahead to its next chapter, leaders say the anniversary is both a reflection on its roots and a statement of its forward-looking vision.
More information about Wightman and its services is available at gowightman.com.
