Big league sports enthusiasts often talk about "Big Mo," the ever present concept of momentum. When it's truly there it is many times a virtual game changer. In the world of business, strong momentum can keep a growing company surging forward, it can help a company that is truly on a roll to pick up speed to surpass other, larger, competitors and raise the bar for everyone.
If there's one thing you can say about Wightman & Associates, Inc. of Benton Harbor, it is that they certainly have "Big Mo" on their side and then some. The company has been hiring new associates at a record pace in recent months, and has found itself increasingly in the news feed of many people across the region. Today is no different.
Now comes word that Wightman & Associates has been named the 2016 Large Firm of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M). The engineering, surveying, architecture, and environmental services company based in Benton Harbor with offices in Allegan and Portage accepted the award during a ceremony in Battle Creek on Saturday, February 27, 2016.
Company President Matt Davis says, “Firm of the Year recognition is a tremendous honor for our company and our employees.” He tells us, “Everything we do is based on the belief that people flourish when they partner with a dynamic team of problem solvers. That philosophy fosters a culture of excellence.”
Selection for the award was based on three criteria:
- Contributions by the member firm to the success and growth of ACEC/M through service on boards, committees, participation in member development, and participation in legislative initiatives.
- Advancing the consulting design profession through published articles and industry presentations, achieving industry quality designations or governmental certification, and actions that have led to the improved management of the firm.
- Community involvement through promoting the engineering profession as a career path for young people, staff participation in community organizations and activities, and sponsorship of programs that benefit the community.
Three past and current members of the WAI leadership team have provided active support to ACEC/M through board and committee participation. WAI’s Past President Thomas Deneau served on the board of directors until his retirement at the end of 2015. Steve Carlisle, WAI chairman of the board and director of engineering is a member of the ACEC/M Transportation Committee. Alan Smaka, director of the Portage office, chairs the ACEC/M Membership Committee.
Tom Deneau says, “The Wightman team has been involved with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan for more than a decade because we believe this organization is important to the advancement of the engineering field.” He points out that, “Not only does it create growth and learning opportunities for current professionals, it encourages and mentors the next generation of engineers.”
The Firm of the Year award also recognizes the company’s strides in management, company growth, and excellence. In 2015, the firm named long-time employee Matt Davis as president, succeeding Deneau who retired after 40 years with the company and 15 years at the helm. WAI expanded its board of directors from three members to five and added to its services by merging Wightman Environmental into the organization after a 27-year affiliation between the two companies. Other areas of recent expansion include the addition of a human resources director and marketing director to the leadership team, and additional staff added to the GIS and field data collection teams.
Additionally, the strong culture of quality and community outreach at WAI is recognized by the award. In addition to mentoring 10 engineering and surveying interns in the past two years, staff members have coached teams of Western Michigan University engineering program seniors during their capstone design projects for the last five years.
Several Wightman professionals are founding members of the Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum, and others are active members on the Michigan’s Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council. The company has received multiple awards for excellence including the 2015 regional and state Quality of Life Awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Watervliet Water System Improvement Project.
According to Davis, what separates Wightman from the field is their commitment to their clients, their staff, and the communities they serve. The City of Dowagiac is one of those clients and communities.
Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons says of that partnership, “Wightman & Associates has transcended beyond a typical vendor. They are not just a member of our team, they’re our friends.”
WAI supports a variety of outreach activities including purchasing livestock at county youth fairs, supporting local food drives, participating in MDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program, and speaking at career days in area schools among many other acts of support.
Davis says, “We care about what makes a community vibrant and how we can contribute," noting additionally, “It’s about being engaged through the work we do to support schools and great places for people. It’s about getting our people involved.”
Wightman & Associates employs 85 people in three offices, and the firm celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com shows members of the Wightman & Associates team accepting the award.
