Company News

Sept. 6, 2023 – Atwell has acquired the operations of Mead Gilman & Associates, a land surveying firm located in Woodinville, Washington. Mead Gilman & Associates has been serving the Pacific Northwest for more than 60 years and specializes in 3D mapping and modeling, subdivisions/platting, boundary surveys, mapping/topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, and more.

The acquisition of Mead Gilman & Associates continues to strengthen Atwell’s resources and capabilities in the Pacific Northwest, building upon the acquisition of Blueline earlier this year. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“For both companies, our people, culture, and clients are incredibly important,” said Matt Bissett, President of Atwell. “We look forward to our expanded services and new clients in the Pacific Northwest with the support of the land surveying experts at Mead Gilman & Associates.”

“This partnership is a natural fit for our team,” said Shane Barnes, Principal with Mead Gilman & Associates. “With cultural alignment and a shared passion for our client focus, we know our work will continue to produce great results and lasting relationships.”

Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of Mead Gilman & Associates is Atwell’s seventh acquisition in the past ten months. Most recently, Atwell acquired Bay Engineering, an engineering, surveying, and environmental firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland.

Aug. 2, 2023 – Atwell announced today that it has acquired Bay Engineering, Inc., an engineering, surveying, and environmental firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. The firm specializes in land development services for both public and private clients throughout Central and Southern Maryland. This acquisition continues to strengthen Atwell’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic, building upon the firm’s acquisition of Ben Dyer Associates, Inc. in 2022. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bay Engineering – together with its affiliate Bay Environmental, Inc. – provides technical consulting services for commercial, industrial, retail, and residential projects. Its services include engineering design, land surveying, land use and site planning, permit processing, stormwater management, environmental consulting, and more. The company has worked closely with local government agencies for years, supporting its clients’ real estate development needs.

“Alignment of mission and values is incredibly important to us,” said Tim Martin, President of Bay Engineering. “It’s clear to us that Atwell delivers high-quality results to their clients, with value placed on thorough communication and accuracy. We’re excited to expand our services to our clients and provide new opportunities for our employees.”

Established in 2000 by Tim Martin and Terry Schuman, Bay Engineering has grown to nearly 40 employees; many of whom are licensed professionals. The team members of Bay Engineering are passionate about giving back to their community, having provided pro-bono services on projects for Habitat for Humanity, Light House Shelter, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, local public and private schools, and others.

“A shared passion for our work and a client-centric approach made this acquisition a great fit,” said Bill Anderson, Atwell’s Senior Vice President of Land Development in the U.S. East. “As Atwell’s presence continues to grow, so does our ability to deliver top-quality services to the local community. We look forward to providing clients in the Mid-Atlantic with even more capabilities within the Atwell family.”

Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Bay Engineering is Atwell’s sixth acquisition in the past nine months. Earlier this year, Atwell acquired Blueline, a 75-person civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture firm based in Kirkland, Washington, and DexBender, a 10-person environmental science and marine consulting firm based in Fort Myers, Florida.

We’re pleased to welcome Christopher Duda to Atwell as a Director of Special Projects in our Lakewood, Colorado office. Christopher has more than 20 years of experience working in the surveying industry, specifically serving in a managerial role for the past 10 years. As Director, he will concentrate on client development, providing top-notch services, and fostering staff stability and growth across all of Atwell’s markets.

Christopher has a wealth of expertise supporting projects from conception to completion in the public and private sectors, particularly in the transportation, government, land development, renewable energy, public utilities, and oil and gas markets. Christopher participates in several professional network organizations and believes in giving back to the communities in which we work. Christopher is a licensed professional land surveyor in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming and working on other strategic states to help expand Atwell’s national footprint.

Atwell has recently hired Hunter Hyde as Director of Land Development in our Marietta, Georgia office. With more than 22 years of experience in civil engineering design, project and program management, and construction management, Hunter’s leadership and expertise will be an excellent addition to the land development team.

Hunter has gained extensive experience in land development design and has worked on a wide range of large and small-scale residential, commercial, municipal, and infrastructure projects. He is certified by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission to design and review erosion control best management practices and an accredited LEED Green Associate. He also has extensive experience in implementing many of the measures in the Georgia Storm Water Management Manual for managing storm water quantity while maintaining and improving water quality.

Hunter believes in challenging his team daily to expand their knowledge, grow in their careers, and invest in their professional development. We are thrilled to welcome Hunter to Atwell.

Atwell has been ranked #74 in ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms for 2023. Each year, design firms across the nation are ranked based on new initiatives, current projects, community and industry contributions, and several other factors.

Atwell takes pride in their client relationships and project initiatives. We are honored to receive this ranking and will continue to be committed to our clients and their business goals.

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.