Backsights and Foresights: 2024 Spring/Summer Newsletter

The County and HEI

Persistent Problem Solvers

For nearly two decades, Houston Engineering, Inc. (HEI) has collaborated with Otter Tail County in Minnesota on various environmental, water resource, GIS, and infrastructure projects.

As a full-service, multidisciplinary consulting firm, our team can pull from more than 250 experts across the region to integrate unique technology, engineering, and science practices into projects for the county’s residents.

Additionally, our team has the resources to pursue funding opportunities and prepare

Key:

HEI’s

grant applications (which we have done for the County in the past) to help with project funding.

This partnership extends into several other government agencies within the county, including:

• Otter Tail County Highway Department

• Townships

• Otter Tail County Department of Land and Resource Management

• East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)

Similar Values

Simply put, HEI and Otter Tail County share similar qualities when it comes to our organizations’ ideals.

Services in Otter Tail County

Environmental and Permitting

GIS

Hydraulic StudiesCulverts

Heart of the Lakes Trail

Several years ago, the Otter Tail County Highway Department began an ambitious trail project that would create a trail system between Pelican Rapids and Perham. Creating an off-road, multi-use, paved trail between these two cities will provide cyclists, joggers/hikers, and others more than 30 miles of new trails. Importantly, this new trail will run through Maplewood State Park, making the park’s existing and extensive trail system a natural extension of this new multi-use trail.

HEI was retained by the Highway Department to complete preliminary and final design, surveying, environmental permitting, aquatic resources (wetland) delineation, culvert sizing, construction observation, and public engagement. Additionally, HEI’s team designed the maps displayed along the trail.

Learn more here https://bit.ly/46q7Toa

HEI’s Mission: Making positive impacts to communities through collaborative partnerships and innovation.

County’s Mission: Enrich lives, innovate services, and enhance resources.

Developing cost-efficient, sustainable, and, most importantly, practical projects is a core piece of HEI’s values. We won’t over-design a project to benefit ourselves. Our team has successfully blended this value with the County’s organizational value of “serving people with integrity, fiscal responsibility, respect, and innovation for enduring success.”

We understand the importance of using taxpayer dollars in a way that will benefit them the most.

Utilized drone-based LiDAR due to rough terrain

miles of new trails

Construction of the final segment will be completed this summer!

Otter-ly Awesome Projects

Trails

HEI’s recreational experience ranges from master planning and boat ramp replacements to new community parks and large-scale trail projects, such as the Heart of the Lakes Trail referenced on the left.

Glacial Edge Trail

The County is looking to add to its already extensive trail network through a connection from Pelican Rapids to Fergus Falls. This trail system, known as the Glacial Edge Trail, will intersect the Heart of the Lakes Trail along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3, west of the Maplewood State Park. HEI is currently partnering with the County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to complete a 2.3-mile-long segment north of the intersection of CSAH 3 and CSAH 34 through Maplewood State Park.

Leading the Projects

Drainage

HEI has an unmatched breadth of experience with drainage both in Minnesota and surrounding states. This is one reason our team was selected to lead an update to the Minnesota Public Drainage Manual for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Our role included drafting a new chapter, “Drainage System Best Management Practices (BMPs).” Learn more below about how our team has utilized our drainage expertise in support of Otter Tail County’s role in local water management.

CSAH 6 Flood Mitigation

In recent years, CSAH 6 has experienced prolonged flooding due to rising water levels on Nelson Lake, which currently does not have a drainage outlet. This has made for unsafe road conditions for motorists.

HEI was engaged to assess the feasibility of mitigating the flooding by providing a drainage outlet for the lake or raising the road to a safe level. HEI is working through design options and permitting for the project, which will provide safe driving conditions while maintaining environmental goals for the lake.

Lake Olaf Drawdown

CSAH 30 has consistently suffered the effects of floodwaters due to increased Lake Olaf water levels since 1999. Otter Tail County proposed a lake drawdown project to open channels and discharge water into the Pelican River to avoid future flooding of CSAH 30 and meet the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) State Aid Minimum Standards for this classification of highway. This included drawing down floodwaters on East Lake Olaf and West Lake Olaf via Deadman Lake through culverts, piping, and a pumping system.

HEI was responsible for hydraulic analyses; preliminary and final design of the pump, pipe, and force main; landowner coordination; permitting (including an Environmental Assessment Worksheet); and more.

Repair of Otter Tail County Ditch 25 County Ditch (CD) 25 was originally established in 1906 and is located 7 miles west of Perham, extending from Wendt Lake to Star Lake. Portions of the system are in disrepair, resulting in unpredictable water levels. Downstream landowners have expressed concern regarding the effect of system management on water quality and habitat in the region. HEI was tasked with preparing a repair report that evaluated the likelihood and magnitude of environmental impacts resulting from proposed repairs.

HEI presented the findings of the repair report at a public information meeting, and these findings will help inform the County’s future management decisions for CD 25.

Leading the Projects

Alex Schmidt aschmidt@houstoneng.com

Chris Otterness cotterness@houstoneng.com

Article continues below and on next page

Meet Adam Ruud on page 12.

Construction (left) and finished (right) energy dissipating outlet structure.

CSAH 30 with raised temporary gravel surface (left) and back down to original pavement (right).

Additional Project Highlight: Otter Tail River One Watershed, One Plan for

the East Otter Tail SWCD.

HEI aggregated watershed information into a comprehensive list of issue statements and data gaps, then used this data to create a land water resources narrative telling the story of the watershed and its resources. From there, we worked with plan partners to establish measurable and obtainable goals. The plan was completed and approved by BWSR in June 2023.

Roadways and Structures

HEI has a long history of working with Minnesota county highway departments, including Otter Tail County, on roadway and structure projects. Having multiple former Minnesota county highway engineers on staff also gives our team an even deeper understanding of MnDOT State Aid Highway and Bridge Design practices and standards. Our experience in Otter Tail County includes resolving highway flooding issues, lake outlet facilities, traditional highway and trail design, and bridge replacements.

Leading the Projects

Jeff Langan jlangan@houstoneng.com

Wes Keller wkeller@houstoneng.com

New Trail Segment

The County enlisted HEI to perform planning, environmental review/processing, and legal survey and platting to facilitate the completion of final design and construction plans for the 5.5-mile reconstruction of CSAH 34 from CSAH 35 to Perham. This reconstruction project included the first trail section of the Heart of the Lakes Trail. The reconstructed highway project includes an off-road, multi-use, paved trail its entire length.

Proposed soft surface and hard surface trails as well as a boardwalk as part of the Phelps Mill Park project.

Phelps Mill Park Phase 1

HEI was tasked with studying the wetland resources for a recreation site to expand the county park. Phelps Mill County Park will be expanded over the course of four stages. Stage one consists of a field investigation of the survey area and delineation of aquatic resources for the project. This will also involve the creation of 50 acres of natural area with prairie seed installed in an area that was farmed for years. Within the natural prairie that will be planted, soft trails will be installed for future camping areas and hiking. The project also includes the installation of elevated boardwalks over the existing wetlands along the Otter Tail River.

Bridge Replacement

Our structural design team is currently working with the County to replace a bridge on County Highway 143 over the Leaf River. The bridge is being replaced using Federal-Aid Programs and Projects funds which involves satisfying specific project requirements (a process HEI is very familiar with). Two alternatives were considered, including several lines of

Leading the Project

Randy Engelstad

rengelstad@houstoneng.com

precast box culverts and a single-span prestressed beam bridge. Factors such as geotechnical considerations, hydraulics, approach roadways, navigability, permitting, and operations/ maintenance were defined and summarized for the County to select the most appropriate option. A single-span prestressed beam bridge was selected, and final design is underway.

We look forward to partnering on many more successful projects in the years to come!

REMEMBERING CAMERON MILLER

It has been more than a year since the loss of our friend and coworker Cameron Miller, who passed away due to natural causes on March 14, 2023. We think and talk about Cameron frequently as a bright and talented engineer who brought joy and enthusiasm to everything he did. He was a beloved member of our community and HEI family.

Cameron's Journey

Cameron had a clear vision for his future. He did not want a desk job and decided to pursue civil engineering, a career that would allow him to work outdoors. Cameron began his journey with HEI in 2011, joining as an intern. He learned a lot from his internship, especially during the Minot, ND, flood, witnessing first-hand the devastation that the floodwaters caused. He was eager to expand his knowledge and skills in the industry and his career while working at HEI. Cameron earned his Professional Engineer license in 2019 and also obtained several other certifications. During his tenure at HEI, Cameron was responsible for civil site design and construction observation for various municipal, transportation, and trail projects. Additionally, he performed surveying and CAD duties at our Minot office.

The Outdoorsman

Cameron's love for the outdoors extended beyond his career. He was an avid sportsman with a passion for hunting, fishing, and shed hunting. Bowhunting, in particular, was his greatest passion. He relished the solitude and the challenge of finding that "Big Buck." He enjoyed bird hunting, especially pheasant and grouse hunting with his dog, Koba, alongside him. As a child, he received a North American bird book from his grandfather and used it to identify all kinds of ducks, geese, and other birds. He would get excited when he saw a rare bird and would shout out its name.

Cameron also enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially the NFL draft, even meeting Barry Sanders at an NFL draft party in Las Vegas. He was a fan of the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Twins, Indiana Pacers, and the NDSU Bison.

Cameron was a dedicated son, helping his parents on their cattle farm and building his own herd of cattle. He was involved in his community through the local Rotary, volunteering his time to the club as well as service projects for the City of Minot.

"No matter the day he may have had, Cam always brought a smile and a positive attitude when he met me on a project site."

-Kory Alexander HEI Minot Office Employee

His Legacy

Cameron was a person who enjoyed every aspect of his life, following his interests and seizing every opportunity. His fondness for nature and his commitment to his family, community, and career are examples for us all to follow. Cameron’s legacy continues through a few scholarships that bear his name. He is deeply missed by all who knew him.

"After working with Cameron for 10 years, I know he cared about his work, which was evident by his emotions when trying to resolve situations with contractors. Changing from his typically light-hearted and quiet nature to his serious side probably surprised more than a few contractors when Cameron decided to speak up."

-Joe Reiter

HEI Minot Office Employee

Cameron and his dog, Koba.

Walleye fishing on Round Lake, McHenry County, ND.

Cameron with Kamdyn Alexander, son of Kory Alexander, HEI survey crew chief in Minot. Cameron took Kory’s boys ice fishing in his Ice Castle.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT HELPS PAVE THE WAY

Featured Service Area: Transportation and Community Planning

Sam is a Transportation Planner out of our Sioux Falls, SD, office and leads all transportation planning services for HEI. He is an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) and has more than 32 years of professional planning experience, providing transportation planning services for various local governments. We strive to provide clients with a full-service planning experience that includes public engagement for any and all plans and studies that we are involved in. Whether it is a traffic study, pedestrian and bicycle plan, future land use plan, or comprehensive plan, public engagement is always the one constant and essential component for any planning study.

How do we plan for the future of our communities? That is a question that transportation and community planners tackle everyday. Our planners know that a robust public engagement process is essential when making decisions for the long term vision of our cities.

The Planning team at HEI helps clients understand how public engagement is well worth the time and effort in obtaining public acceptance and eventual approval on a plan or project. By involving the public in all steps of the project, the public will become part of the solution. These services provide invaluable insight into the needs of our projects. A good public engagement process provides a solid foundation to establish the long term vision and goals of any community project. One example of this type of work is shown in the project highlighted below.

Public Engagement in Action Northerly Park Master Planning, Northwest Angle, MN

HEI is working with the Lake of the Woods County Public Works Department to develop a master plan for Northerly Park.

The Northwest Angle is the northernmost point in the contiguous United States and Northerly Park is the first and only park located in this region. In order to make a comprehensive plan that caters to the

Our Transportation and Community Planning Services Include:

• Master Plans

• Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Ordinances

• Transit Planning and Operations

• Long-Range Transportation Planning

• Growth Management and Future Land Use

• Transportation Grant and Administration Services

• Travel Demand Modeling/ Metropolitan Planning Organization Process

• Traffic Impact Studies | Complete Streets Design and Process

• Corridor Studies | Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning and Studies

community’s diverse range of recreational and leisure activities throughout the year, thorough public involvement will be a key component of the master plan. Sam is bringing the master plan to life with public engagement tools such as Social Pinpoint, a website tool that enables the community and nearby landowners to engage from the comfort of their home. This helps to facilitate greater reach, diversity, consultation, and collaboration.

Overall, the robust public outreach included a very passionate steering committee, a day-long site visit of the park and the Northwest Angle community, and ended with a well-attended public meeting where all participants were encouraged to contribute their ideas and then vote for their favorites.

All of this ties together the different threads of a far-reaching plan, creating a collaborative process that integrates community voices, technical expertise, and project goals. By actively involving the public, planners can design solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Sam at the northernmost point of the contiguous United States, where Northerly Park is located!

Sam Trebilcock

Remote Work Trends: What Effect Will It Have on Traffic in Our Region?

It is not surprising that remote work has had an impact on the workplace. However, what effect will it have on traffic in your community? This is a trend that all transportation planners and traffic engineers are tracking to help determine future transportation commuting patterns and the impact it will have on travel demand.

Will the shift to working from home help reduce traffic congestion? Will it reduce peak-hour traffic in the morning and evening, or will traffic trends simply shift as people working from home drive at various times of the day for errands or school drop-offs? Additionally, what

effect will third-place work have in our area (with people working from cafes, libraries, and co-working spaces)? It is an undeniable fact that working from home, whether full-time or hybrid, will impact traffic and community land use now and into the future.

So, how does this trend look in our region? Although many of the metro areas that HEI serves have lower work from home numbers, they all saw a significant increase since 2019. The most recent 2022 ACS data from the U.S. Census Bureau still shows a significant increase from 2019 in the workforce working from home. 2019

A comparison of workforce working from home of nearby Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas from the US Census Bureau

Source: Burrows, Michael, and Charlynn Burd, “Commuting in the United States: 2022,” American Community Survey Briefs, ACSBR-018, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2024.

Source: Michael Burrows, Charlynn Burd, and Brian McKenzie, “Home-Based Workers and the COVID-19 Pandemic,” American Community Survey Reports, ACS-52, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2023.

Contact Sam for more information on how HEI’s transportation planning team can help you.

Building Careers that Leave a Legacy

Celebrating Our Recent Retirees

As we turn the pages of our company’s history, we find chapters filled with the remarkable stories of individuals who have not only dedicated years of service but have also climbed to the heights of leadership, regardless of where their professional journey began. It’s a testament to the culture of growth and opportunity that defines our firm, a place where longevity and ambition intertwine to create legacies of success. We celebrate the distinguished careers of some of our recent retirees, who have become pillars of our organization and their communities through their unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions.

Bruce Albright | Senior Technician/Administrator

Bruce, as one of HEI’s first employees, served our communities for decades as both an administrator and civil technician. Even into retirement, he is serving the public as a Council Member for the City of Vergas and Treasurer for the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District.

Q: Tell us about a mentor who significantly impacted your career. Having had the pleasure to work with all three of the original founders, I learned things from all of them. From George Houston, I learned to treat everyone the same, from the project owner to the guy who was on the survey crew. From Bob Muscha, the retired military farm boy from Harvey, ND, I learned the need for accountability. We maybe connected more, both being “farm boys.” It was also Bob who got me started in the watershed field. From Hank Trangsrud, I learned honesty and the fact that being a nice guy could take you far in life. The three founding fathers all brought something to the relationship, which I know made HEI what it is today.

Q: What kept you motivated and committed to HEI throughout the years? When I became an HEI employee, I always felt there was something to be proud of. It showed in the way you dressed, dealt with clients, and acted when wearing the HEI logo. In general, you respected those in the public and private sectors you worked with daily, including your fellow employees. George Houston promoted a team concept at my initial hiring, and it carried throughout my career. Our clients respected HEI for being a qualified firm that could get things done at a reasonable price and in a timely manner.

Rick Gunderson | Senior Civil Engineer, Office Manager

31 years at HEI

41 years at HEI

Now 1987

Learn more about HEI’s founders in our 50th Anniversary Special Edition Newsletter: https://bit.ly/NewsletterSS18

For more than three decades, Rick provided clients with quality service as an engineer and Vice President. He was also the Office Manager of our Fargo location for over 12 years. From leading major transportation projects to hosting family picnics for our staff, Rick always stressed the importance of delivering high-quality service.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment or project in your career with us that you feel particularly proud of?

I enjoyed winning the US 10/Main Avenue project in Fargo with our transportation team in the early 2000s. With 2 miles of six-lane roadway and an interstate interchange, it was a high-profile project costing more than $20 million. It also turned an outdated four-lane roadway with terrible traffic delays into a smooth flowing six-lane corridor where the traffic seemingly disappeared.

Q: Could you tell us about a mentor or colleague who significantly impacted your career? Roger Hagen was my coach-mentor. He embodied morality, ethics, and a great sense of fairness in solving problems related to the design and construction of civil engineering projects. Read our memoriam for Roger Hagen from 2017: https://bit.ly/2ghT9mh

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting their career here? Just as real estate is location, location, location, solving engineering problems is communication, communication, communication. While specific tasks can be accomplished individually, a collaborative team meeting early on and thinking critically will produce the desired solutions to drive the final design.

Bart joined HEI in 1999, where he served as Office Manager of our Maple Grove location for more than a decade. He also shepherded in our waste management services that sent our team as close to 20 minutes up the road to as far as Central America.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career with us that you feel particularly proud of?

years at HEI

My experience prior to joining HEI was in waste management, which was not one of the HEI service areas. It was pivotal for me to join a firm that didn’t focus on my area of expertise but looked at the value I could bring to a small office trying to establish itself in a new and competitive region. Another pivotal moment is when I became Office Manager in Maple Grove. I spent 14 of my 23 years at HEI managing the office. It was a rewarding career change for me.

Q: Looking back, what legacy do you hope to leave at HEI?

As the Maple Grove Office Manager, I felt a responsibility to the staff to maintain an environment that enabled people to grow professionally, to be challenged, to be motivated to work hard as a project team member and individually, and to have some fun along the way. My door was always open to staff, even to those with a write-off discussion or to those who were seeking sponsorship funds...for a fish house!

Dave O’Shea | Senior Civil Engineer, Office Manager

17 years at HEI

Now 2007

Dave joined the HEI team in 2006 as the Office Manager of our new Minot location. With more than 20 years of engineering experience under his belt, he helped to solidify our presence in the Minot area and beyond.

Q: What motivated you to join HEI, and did those reasons evolve?

After more than 20 years in federal service, I had been contemplating what was next for my civil engineering career. Having lived in Minot since 1993, I had been watching the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) project evolve into beginning pipeline construction from Lake Sakakawea to Minot. With my background in water supply and distribution system design and construction, I saw the opportunity to start a new career

with HEI in 2006 as the company worked to incorporate a new permanent Minot office. Seizing that opportunity, I became the first HEI employee with a full-time presence in Minot. With the NAWS rural delivery and system integration into the City of Minot water treatment and distribution system, project work became challenging and very rewarding.

Q: What project are you particularly proud of?

HEI partnered with MWH Americas to form HMjv, the joint venture team selected to complete the Minot Downtown Infrastructure Improvements Project. That national, award-winning urban reconstruction project, “from the underground up” we’d proclaim, resulted in the beginning of post-2011 flood rejuvenation of Minot’s historic downtown.

Jay Anderson | Senior Technician

Jay spent more than 30 years in the field as a survey technician. He spent the last 13 years of his career serving from our Fargo and Maple Grove locations. His career has allowed him to witness how far the industry has come since the 1980s. According to Jay, “the most notable part of [his] career journey is the advancement of technology in this profession. In the last 30 years, it has been like going from the stone age to landing on the moon.”

Q: What was a pivotal moment in your career with us that you feel particularly proud of?

Finding original government survey stone markers in western North Dakota was the most rewarding work for me.

years at HEI

Q: Could you tell us about a mentor or colleague who significantly impacted your career?

Chuck Rebsch was a great advocate for me and all the field crew personnel. Chuck served as a Survey Coordinator at HEI for nearly 30 years. Learn more about him in our previous newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Xbx50m

Q: What changes at HEI were you most excited to be a part of?

Moving the Maple Grove location from a small office to a bigger and better location down the road in 2019.

PROJECT SNAPSHOTS

We’d love to showcase all that we do at HEI, but we’d run out of pages! Here’s a quick overview of some projects we’ve been working on or recently completed.

Lime Lake/ Lake Sarah Dam Projects

Murray County

Murray County, MN

Working closely with the Minnesota DNR to secure project funding, HEI developed two sustainable dam structure replacements for Murray County. The existing low-head concrete dams maintained water levels for recreation; however, the dam structures were also eroding and restricting fish migration. To remedy this, HEI proposed rock arch rapids for both Lime Lake and Lake Sarah, providing an ecologically friendly alternative. The Lime Lake project located in the 4-acre Lime Lake County Park was constructed in 2023, and Lake Sarah is scheduled for completion in late summer of 2024. Due to its hydraulic functions, a rock arch rapid is a great solution for remediating issues (such as dangerous hydraulic rollers) presented by low-head dams while maintaining water levels and significantly improving fish passage and habitat.

15th Avenue North Street Maintenance and Repairs

North Dakota State University Fargo, ND

Due to heavy use, 15th Avenue North on the North Dakota State University (NDSU) campus had deteriorated and needed repair. Given HEI’s history of successfully delivering projects on NDSU’s campus, HEI was chosen for this effort. HEI turned the road’s existing inverted crown (concave surface) into a traditional crowned road section. The new crowned surface keeps water from pooling in the center of the roadway and lets the water flow properly into the revised storm drainage system designed for the project. As a result, drainage was greatly improved, creating a safer passage during storm events. Additionally, all new ADA-compliant curb ramp installations were coordinated with NDSU so their snow removal equipment could clear the ramps during the winter. Streetlight heads were replaced with brighter, more efficient LED lights along with new wiring, conduits, and bases. Traffic signals were also designed so construction traffic did not impede University Drive, an extremely busy road for both students and residents. Importantly, construction did not require removing any existing trees and was completed before the students returned to campus!

Lime Lake Rock Arch Rapids.

15th Avenue North’s new and improved roadway.

Standing Bear Boat Ramp Replacement

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Omaha, NE

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission hired HEI to upgrade an existing boat ramp to two boat ramps with a dual dock system at Standing Bear Lake in Omaha, NE. The boat ramp improvements also involved the essential elements for durability and functionality. These included features such as shoreline protection, in-lake fish habitat structures, parking lot renovations, a new fishing pier, a kayak launch, ADA-compliant trails to the boat dock and new fishing pier, and nine fishing bump-outs! To protect the boat ramp, two fishing jetties were also designed as well as a borrow site that provided earth fill material for the structures. HEI made sure that the earthwork balance within the flood storage zones met the US Army Corps of Engineers’ 408 requirements, so as not to compromise the reservoir capacity and flood control provided by the dam.

Our Project Manager, Sara Mechtenberg, also had the opportunity to lead a presentation and tour of the site for Westview High School students. HEI developed final construction documents and bid the project in January 2023. Our team began construction observation in February 2023 and construction was completed by May 2024.

I-94 Reconstruction from the Montana State Line to near Camel Hump Dam

North Dakota Department of Transportation Golden Valley County, ND

I-94 is a vital connection for North Dakota, serving not only as an important freight route for those entering the state from the west but also as the first impression of many entering North Dakota from Montana. Due to deterioration from heavy traffic, this section required the utmost care and attention to detail. The North Dakota Department of Transportation retained HEI to lead this project that involved improvements to safety and ride quality as well as the restoration of the load carrying capacity of the roadway from reference point 11.7 to the Montana state line on both the westbound and eastbound roadways. HEI performed preliminary engineering and environmental documentation as well as final design and plan preparation to include mainline roadway, median crossovers, and temporary ramp connections. Structural improvements included the replacement of a quad reinforced concrete box culvert through both roadways, bridge deck overlay, and crack and spall repairs at various structures throughout the corridor. We replaced deteriorated culverts and extended those with remaining servicable life to improve drainage. Safety improvements included new guardrail throughout the corridor and new lighting at the Beach Interchange.

The restoration of the roadway’s load carrying capacity was important for the economic cycle of the state, making it safe and efficient for the transportation of goods and services. In addition, the improved ride quality makes for a more enjoyable trip throughout the corridor, leaving a positive impression on regular commuters and for out-of-state visitors.

Fishing bump-outs on Standing Bear Lake.

Safety improvements being completed for Interstate 94.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS

Adam Ruud Getting to know

Adam is a Professional Engineer who serves as a project manager and leads design for transportation projects across the region. These projects can range from rural reconstructions for departments of transportation, to urban improvements, to new pedestrian facilities.

Adam enjoys spending time outside with his wife, Joleesa, and their three children, Layla (4), Braelyn (2), and Parker (1), as well as their two black labs that are 8 and 4 months old! If you thought that was a busy enough household, think again —they also have numerous cats, chickens, ducks, and a few pigs that keep Adam and his family busy when he’s not working!

Q&A

Describe what you like about your job and being part of our team. I enjoy the variety of clients and projects, and I have been very fortunate to be able to work on projects that have required unique challenges and approaches to help better serve our community. Being able to work within a strong team dynamic at HEI has been rewarding and allows for me to see the difference we make in our communities.

Tell us about the projects you are currently working on. One project that I’m currently working on is the Otter Tail County Bike Trails.

Fun Facts

Favorite Sports: Football and golf.

Favorite Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, and working on our hobby farm where we are raising chickens, ducks, pigs, and a dairy cow!

Top Travel Destination: Alaska. I enjoy the mountains and remote environment. I would also like to go salmon fishing.

They’re separated bike trails from Perham to Pelican Rapids and include a segment within the Maplewood State Park. We’re working on an additional segment that will connect Pelican Rapids to Fergus Falls in the future.

Another project that I’m working on is the F-M Area Diversion Project. My role is the Transportation Support Lead for the Metro Flood Diversion Authority and Transportation Design Lead for transportation improvements associated with the Southern Embankment as well as mobility improvements throughout the region.

I am also the Design Lead for the reconstruction of 9th Street from Main Avenue to 12th Avenue North, and 7th Street from 9th Avenue to 45th Street in West Fargo, ND. The project will convert the existing rural corridor to a three-lane urban section with a shared use path. Intersection improvements include additional lanes at the existing single lane roundabout at the intersection as well as a new single lane roundabout at 9th Street and 7th Avenue.

What fuels passion for your career? Seeing the difference and benefits we can provide for our clients and the communities we live in. Reliable transportation systems are critical for keeping our communities operating safely and efficiently.

Adam with his wife Joleesa and their three children: (L-R) Braelyn, Layla, and Parker.

Adam with one of his adorable black labs.

Layla and Braelyn whipping it in style!

Stan Hanson Getting to know

Stan is a Senior Civil Engineer in our Sioux Falls, SD, office where he provides services for municipal, commercial site design, residential development, and municipal reconstruction projects. Originally from Sherwood, ND (just a half mile from Saskatchewan!), Stan grew up on a cattle ranch before moving to Bismarck for college. He then attended North Dakota State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Q&A

What is a lesson you’ve learned from your career journey thus far?

Communication is a big part of working with others, understanding the client, making sure you know what they want and need on a project.

Do you have an interesting or memorable story (while working on a project or with our team) that would be fun to share with our readers?

A couple of team members and I met with a client lead to resolve an issue on a project in Moorhead. After discussing the problem, the lead asked everyone except me to leave. We all thought I was going to get chewed out. Instead, he wanted to know if I could get registered in the State of Oregon. I said yes I can, and that led to two development projects in Oregon.

Any fun facts or skills about yourself? The last time I had a haircut was the summer I turned 12. You’re not misreading that!

What is your favorite season and why? Fall—it’s football season!

What professional advice would you like to pass along to others?

Bring some humor to the project/client and don’t get lost in the technical weeds.

What fuels your passion for your career?

Building Communities-I like driving by projects that I was involved in and knowing that I made a positive impact through collaboration and partnerships.

Stan began his career at the North Dakota Department of Water Resources in 1990, then shifted to be the City Engineer for the City of Albany, MN in 1997. Wanting to return to his home state, Stan joined the HEI team in 2013.

In his free time, Stan enjoys giving back through various volunteering opportunities with his church and Laundry with Love as well as officiating high school football and basketball. He also has three adult children, Mikaela, Matt, and Juliana.

Stan with his three children: (L-R) Mikaela, Matt, and Juliana.

Stan, ready to hit a home run (or catch one) at Wrigley Field.

Catching some walleye for dinner at Lake Bemidji, MN.

Stan (left) posing with a bison made out of plants in Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, Fort Worth, TX!

Our employees are the core of our company, and we value their contributions. Congratulations to the following employees on their milestone HEI work anniversaries!

Josh Barth IT Manager

Luke Beckermann Civil Engineer

Mike Cummins Technician Carlie Doll Civil Engineer

Gabe Bladow Civil Engineer

Randy Engelstad Civil Engineer

Erik Nelson GIS Supervisor

Lisa Odens Civil Engineer

Zachery Hartung Senior Technician

Bennett Uhler

Nathaniel Baeumler Scientist

Josiah Erickson Civil Engineer Mark Fodness Technician

Robert Gautier Software Engineer

Benjamin Hengel Scientist

Zach Holweger Civil Engineer

Trent Karel Land Surveyor

Scott Kronholm Scientist

Karleen Kurvink Administrative Assistant

Chris Myers Civil Engineer

Mike Opat Director of Operations

Moriya Rufer Scientist

Kory Schweitzer Senior Technician

Shawn

Visit our careers page to find open positions or sign up for alerts. Welcome to our team!

EVENTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND MORE!

Mark Jacobs was elected to the Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association’s Board of Directors and graduated from Dale Carnegie.

the Prairie Business Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Business List.

Janel Brandt Technician

Terrel O’Gorman Civil Engineer

Shawn Shonerd Civil Engineer

Kathleen Smith Communications Specialist

Matt Thompson Digital Marketing Manager

Sam Trebilcock Transportation Planner

Rob Goff Survey Technician Reece Groth Civil Engineer

Kaleb Flaagan Civil Engineer

Pam Freedland Senior HR Generalist

Regan Hart Accounting Assistant

Joe Morano Software Engineer

Molly Forrester Civil Engineer

Bennett Uhler and Nic Cullen were named on Prairie Business’s 40 Under 40 List.

Naomi Disrud was honored on

Rachel Smith and Bethany Fraase earned Dale Carnegie Awards.

Congrats to Trent Karel for earning his PLS!

Team members attended the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber’s Business After Hours derby-themed event.

Congrats to Eric Suing for earning his PE!

Our Sioux Falls Office has Moved!

To better serve our clients and growing team, our Sioux Falls office has a new office space! Be sure to stop by and check out our new location: 4009 West 49th Street | Suite 101 Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Our New Website is Live! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website! Our new digital home is designed to provide an enhanced user experience, streamlined navigation, and a wealth of resources at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for the latest project updates, seeking information on our services, or wanting to connect with our team, our website is your one-stop destination.