News Release

April 26, 2023 – Atwell announced today that it has acquired Dexter Bender & Associates Environmental Consulting (DexBender), an environmental and marine consulting firm located in Fort Myers, Florida. DexBender works with private and public clients to provide services such as protected species assessment, wetland mitigation, preserve monitoring and compliance, state and federal wetland permitting, and other environmental services. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

DexBender has provided services to a wide range of clients including single-family homeowners, national and local developers, local governments, and state agencies. Combined with Atwell’s existing presence throughout Florida, this acquisition expands the company’s environmental and marine expertise.

“We’ve had the opportunity to get to know Atwell over the years, and we’re excited to join their team,” said Tyler King, President and Principal Biologist for DexBender. “Our cultures and values are aligned, and this acquisition provides new opportunities for both our clients and our team members.”

Founded in 1976, DexBender has worked with unique ecosystems for nearly 50 years. DexBender has worked closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, various Florida Water Management Districts, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help clients meet their project goals.

“We’re excited to add Tyler and the DexBender team to Atwell,” said Ron Waldrop, Senior Vice President at Atwell. “Their environmental expertise in Florida will allow us to better serve our clients as we continue to grow our capabilities to best serve their project needs. We have worked together for many years, so it was a natural fit for us to join together!”

Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. DexBender is Atwell’s fifth acquisition in the last six months. Last month, Atwell acquired Blueline, a 75-person civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture firm based in Kirkland, Washington.

 

March 21, 2023 – In its first acquisition of 2023, Atwell has acquired Blueline, a 75-person civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture firm based in Kirkland, Washington. Blueline has four offices throughout Washington and serves clients in commercial development, residential development, and public works. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Combined with Atwell’s existing office in Portland, Oregon, this acquisition significantly expands Atwell’s capabilities in the Pacific Northwest region and will strengthen Atwell’s ability to support its national residential, commercial, industrial, and energy clients in the region.

“Atwell and Blueline share a similar client-focused culture of providing outstanding services to our numerous clients,” said Brian Wenzel, Atwell’s Chief Executive Officer. “The acquisition of Blueline is our fourth transaction in the past four months. We’re excited to continue our geographic expansion throughout the United States, taking another major step in our long-term strategic growth plan.”

“Blueline is thrilled to join the Atwell family,” said Brian Darrow, Blueline’s Chief Executive Officer. “Atwell’s proven history of an employee-centered culture, similar emphasis on strong relationships with clients, and their exceptional growth will provide amazing opportunities for our employees and more services to better meet the needs of our clients. We are so excited to start this next chapter of Blueline’s story!”

Founded in 2003, Blueline is an innovative, energetic, and responsive group of professionals who are passionate about making their communities great places to live. The company’s mission is to build people, to build relationships, and to build communities.

AEC Advisors initiated this transaction and acted as a financial advisor to Blueline.

 

We’re pleased to welcome Jeff Cooner to Atwell as the senior director of surveying for the Southeast Real Estate & Land Development team. Located in our Bonita Springs office, Jeff will focus on managing the team’s growth, quality assurance, and client care in the southeastern US. Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge with more than four decades of experience including large, complex land acquisitions and land management projects such as the acquisition of US Sugar agricultural land holdings by the South Florida Water Management District and lands of the Babcock Ranch by the State of Florida.  Jeff has extensive experience with subdivision platting, condominium platting, construction surveying, and the establishment of road rights-of-way.

He is often called upon by the public and private sectors to consult on surveying and mapping projects with challenging deadlines or technical requirements. It is common for Jeff to include technologies utilizing sensors that perform terrestrial laser scanning, mobile mapping, aerial surveys, bathymetric surveys, and subsurface utility designation and location.  His expertise in water boundaries, riparian rights, and the historical limits of sovereignty submerged lands is sought out by both public and private clients. Jeff served on the  (BPSM) for almost ten years and provided input on the structure of the current Standard of Practice for Florida surveyors and mappers.

 

 

We are pleased to share that we’ve hired Kyle Wood as a Director. Located in our Birmingham, Alabama office, Kyle’s responsibilities will be centered on business development for all Atwell services in the Southeast, with a focus on the greater Birmingham area. In addition to Land Development, his responsibilities also include management and development support for the Power & Renewable Energy portfolio. With more than 20 years in the civil engineering industry, Kyle brings ample expertise on the geographic area, as well as the overall industry.

Throughout his career, Kyle has focused on technical design, project, and client management in various industries, such as energy, site development, transportation, and water resources. Kyle has also been an officer with the Alabama Section of ASCE, as well as a committee member for the 2015 and 2022 ASCE Report Card for Alabama’s Infrastructure publications.

Atwell – a leading consulting, engineering, planning, landscape architecture, survey, and construction services firm – has opened a new office in Jacksonville, Florida. With eight offices located throughout the state of Florida, the Jacksonville office will bring Atwell closer to clients in the region.

Atwell expects to initially add up to 20 team members to the new location. Employees in the Jacksonville office will focus on land development, especially in the retail, commercial, and residential markets. Services will include consulting, engineering, planning, landscape architecture, survey, and construction management.

“The new Jacksonville location will allow us to expand our local presence while continuing to provide regional and national expertise as a company,” said Brian Cassidy, senior project manager in Atwell’s Jacksonville office. “This office is a great opportunity to reinforce our strong commitment to Florida and supporting our clients in the Jacksonville community.”

Located within the Hampton Professional Park on the south side of Jacksonville, the Atwell office address is 7807 Baymeadows Road E, Suite 200. This new location adds to Atwell’s already strong presence in Florida.

 

Atwell has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dempsey Surveying Company, a land surveying firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. This acquisition, the third transaction announced by Atwell this quarter, will expand the company’s presence in Ohio and surveying capabilities in the Midwest. The deal is expected to close by Dec. 31, 2022.

Dempsey Surveying Company’s services include topographic surveys, construction staking, boundary services, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood elevation certificates, surface model TINs, Global Positioning System (GPS) services, aerial mapping, and drone services.

“We’re pleased to combine the knowledge, technical capabilities, and experience of these two successful companies,” said William W. Anderson, Senior Vice President of Atwell. “Our shared priorities of providing proactive solutions and excellent client service will strengthen our ability to deliver quality projects that achieve our clients’ goals.”

Dempsey Surveying Company has a wide range of clients across several markets including industrial, commercial, public utilities, and more. The company maintains more than 50 years of survey records.

“We’re excited to join the team at Atwell and look forward to being able to expand the services we offer to our existing and future clients,” said Christopher Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of Dempsey Surveying Company. “This acquisition provides new opportunities for both our clients and team members.”

Since 1985, Christopher Dempsey has been providing surveying services throughout Ohio as a second-generation surveyor. He started Dempsey Surveying Company in 2002 with the sole focus on surveying and providing exceptional service.

This is Atwell’s third acquisition this quarter. Last month, Atwell financed the acquisition of Cross Surveying, a 28-person land surveying firm based in Florida, and acquired Ben Dyer Associates, a 55-person engineering firm based in Maryland.

De. 1, 2022 – In its second transaction this quarter, Atwell has acquired Ben Dyer Associates, Inc., a 60-person engineering firm based in Maryland. Ben Dyer Associates specializes in civil engineering, land planning, and surveying services for land development and redevelopment projects throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This acquisition expands Atwell’s reach into the US Mid-Atlantic region and will strengthen Atwell’s ability to support a variety of land development projects, including single and multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial. Ben Dyer is also experienced in the power and energy market, enhancing Atwell’s ability to support solar projects on the east coast.

“Atwell and Ben Dyer share a similar business strategy – we guide and advise our clients through every stage of a project from concept to completion,” said Brian Wenzel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atwell. “This acquisition supports an expansion into a new region for Atwell and is another meaningful advancement of our long-term strategic growth.”

“Alignment of culture and values is incredibly important for us,” said Steve Mauersberg, President of Ben Dyer Associates. “Ben Dyer and Atwell share a joint vision of improving our communities, helping our clients achieve success, and providing opportunities for our employees.”

The company founder, Ben Dyer, entered private practice as a registered professional engineer and land surveyor in 1935. In 1952, the company was incorporated as Ben Dyer Associates, Inc. Mauersberg began his career with Ben Dyer Associates in 1986. Every president’s career has spanned more than three decades with the company.

“We’re excited to welcome the members of Ben Dyer to the team,” said Bill Anderson, Vice President of Land Development in the US East at Atwell. “We believe that Ben Dyer is the right firm for expanding our geographic footprint while continuing to provide expert service to our land development clients.”

Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Last month, Atwell financed the acquisition of Cross Surveying, a 28-person land surveying firm based in Florida.v

 

Nov. 17, 2022 – Atwell has provided the financing to a private investment group that has acquired Cross Surveying, LLC, a 28-person land surveying firm based in Florida.  As part of the transaction, Atwell will work with Cross Surveying on expansion opportunities and all Florida surveying operations.  Cross Surveying specializes in providing a comprehensive approach to surveying and mapping projects. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This acquisition will immediately enhance the depth and breadth of Atwell’s surveying capabilities within the Real Estate and Land Development and Power and Energy teams in the Southeast region, especially in Florida and Georgia.

“Atwell and Cross Surveying share the same client-focused model for service excellence,” said Ron Waldrop, Vice President of Real Estate and Land Development for the US Southeast at Atwell. “We’ve worked with Cross Surveying for several years and are collaborating on several projects currently. Cross Surveying complements our current suite of services and helps fill important geographic gaps.”

Cross Surveying originated in 1989 when owner and founder Robert Cross formed Bob Cross Professional Land Surveying. In 1995, Cross purchased Global Surveying and expanded into seven locations across Florida.

“Teaming with Atwell allows us to unlock added value for our clients by tapping into a broader range of services backed by regional and national expertise,” said Cross. “We look forward to supporting Atwell’s growth in Florida and the Southeast Region.”

Cross Surveying is comprised of professional surveyors and mappers, CAD technicians, and office personnel. The firm’s services include boundary surveys, construction stakeout, control surveys, design surveys, residential surveys, topographic surveys, and more.

“We continue to focus our growth in ways that best support our clients,” said Matt Bissett, Vice President of Power and Energy at Atwell. “We’re well positioned for organic growth by expanding Atwell’s relationships in the Southeast region.”

Crain’s Fast 50 ranks companies based on the dollar amount of revenue growth over the past three years and by percentage revenue growth during the same period. We are honored to be recognized by Crain’s Fast 50 and excited to continuously grow in the professionals we hire and the work we do.

For the full rank, click here.