As we welcome the outstanding staff from Manhard Consulting to the Atwell team, we sat down with Don Manhard to learn more about his experiences and vision for the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in AEC industry?
Two things, really. First, my father was a civil engineer who started his own firm when I was 12 years old, and I grew up working alongside him. That experience gave me an early appreciation for what engineers do and the impact they have on communities.
Second, I discovered I had a natural aptitude for math, and let’s just say English wasn’t my strong suit! Engineering quickly became my calling, and it was a path that felt both natural and rewarding.
You’ve experienced significant success in this industry, and from your perspective, what skills are critical to being successful?
I’ve always considered myself very competitive whether in sports or in business. Talent helps, but hard work and consistency always win out in the long run. In our industry, success often comes down to going above and beyond for clients and being someone they can count on. Dependability builds trust.
Equally important is thinking ahead, which means finding the right people (people you enjoy working with), anticipating client needs, understanding where the market is headed, and continually improving how services are delivered.
What were the factors that made Atwell a logical fit in bringing the companies together?
It really started with the leadership at Atwell. From the beginning, I could see that these were individuals that my colleagues and I would genuinely enjoy working with. The Atwell team shares our values, work ethic, and commitment to doing things the right way.
Beyond that, the opportunity to join a larger network of professionals with access to new markets, bigger clients, and more complex projects made perfect sense. It wasn’t just about growth; it was about aligning with a company that could elevate what we already do well while offering greater opportunities for our team and clients alike.
What additional opportunities open up now with the Atwell/Manhard integration?
The integration has already opened exciting opportunities. In speaking with many of our clients about the merger, it’s been gratifying to see their enthusiasm, not just for us, but for what this means for them. We can now offer more services in-house, expand our geographic reach, and deliver a broader range of solutions across their markets.
The combination gives our clients a trusted name and familiar faces, now with the added benefit of a larger platform and greater resources. We’re strengthening relationships while creating new avenues for growth and collaboration.
What do you see on the horizon as important industry trends that will drive continued innovation and growth?
While I’ve always been focused on growth, I’ve also learned the importance of growing wisely and making sure we don’t move so fast that we stumble. In this industry, success comes from paying close attention to where market sectors and geographic markets are expanding and where they’re starting to cool.
As an example, a few years ago, distribution centers were booming, but rising interest rates, increased construction costs, and oversaturation caused that market to slow almost overnight. We made the decision to pivot to mission critical and data center work, which continues to show strong, sustained demand. Combined with the addition of Atwell’s land, power, and electrical groups, we are building a platform that’s positioned for long-term success.
To borrow a hockey analogy: don’t skate where the puck is, skate to where it’s going. That mindset is what will continue to drive innovation and opportunity for our firm.
What is a career goal that you’ve set for yourself and what are you most proud of thus far in your journey?
Having built one business, I am now focused on using that expertise and the lessons learned to help Atwell achieve industry dominance, not through reckless expansion, but by instilling the right processes for reasonable, sustained growth that positions us as a market leader. I enjoy the intellectual challenge of the deal-making process, and I hope to spend the final phase of my career guiding and executing the strategic transactions that are vital for Atwell’s future growth.
Working with extremely supportive and talented associates, I am enormously proud to have built a company from a local, 15-person operation into a robust, national firm employing almost 400 people across 14 U.S. locations. This decades-long expansion proved that significant professional success and achieving geographic scale and market presence, is possible without sacrificing personal priorities, as I successfully navigated this growth alongside the growth (and happiness) of my own family.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I’ve been fortunate to have close friends who’ve found success in a wide range of fields – finance, law, sports, medicine, and private equity to name a few. I often talk with them about what challenges they’re facing, what’s keeping them up at night, where their industries are headed, and what trends they see on the horizon. Those conversations give me fresh perspectives and often spark ideas that help me think differently about our own business and how we can adapt or innovate.
On a more personal level, my wife and two sons keep me inspired and grounded. They each have unique interests outside of AEC, and they’re constantly introducing me to new ideas, technologies, and ways of thinking. They remind me that creativity and curiosity don’t stop at the boundaries of our industry.
As you look forward to 2026, what excites you?
I’m excited about the opportunities that come with full integration. Together we will be able to seamlessly offer clients the complete range of our combined services and deliver even greater value to them. I’m looking forward to identifying and adding key talent, both within our existing markets and in new areas where we see strong potential for growth.
I’m also energized with the prospect of mentoring the next generation of leaders on my team by helping them step into new responsibilities which will drive our continued success into the future.
