GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Progressive AE named senior scientist Paul Hausler its water resources practice leader. Over the past 31 years, Hausler has been involved in Progressive AE’s large water resource management projects. He has been primarily responsible for conducting field investigations, water quality monitoring, and coordinating aquatic plant control projects. In this role, he will lead the water resources team and manage client relationships.

“Paul's knowledge and expertise enables us to continue providing specialized water management services to communities across Michigan,” said Brad Thomas, president and CEO. “Not only does this support clients' needs, but it also protects and enhances Michigan’s most valued resources.”

The water resources team collaborates with communities across Michigan on lake and watershed management projects, working with clients to improve water quality, control invasive species, preserve natural habitat, and implement strategies that enhance Michigan’s valued resources. In this capacity, Hausler has served numerous lake improvement boards, local municipalities, and lake associations throughout the state of Michigan.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology from Grand Valley State University and is certified by the Wetland Training Institute. He also holds a Natural Shoreline Professional Certification from Michigan State University. He is a past president of the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS) and often presents on invasive plants and water treatment best practices. Internally, he also serves on the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

NEW YORK — WSP acquired Climate Finance Advisors (CFA), a prominent climate and finance consultancy based in Washington, D.C.

CFA will enhance WSP’s ability to help clients address climate change. CFA accelerates climate-aligned investment through capabilities such as climate risk assessments for projects and portfolios, net-zero, and climate-resilient planning and investment, optimizing climate strategies to meet stakeholder expectations and applying a climate finance lens to project and infrastructure offerings as well as investments and acquisitions.

The acquisition strengthens WSP USA’s market leadership in end-to-end climate finance and environmental services, as more corporations, investors, government agencies, and other organizations seek help to assess and address climate-related financial and operational risks and opportunities.

“Every sector and industry will be transformed by climate change, and financing the net-zero, resilient transition is critical, as is delivering on the global goal to meet this target by 2050 — a commitment that WSP has joined,” said Lou Cornell, CEO, WSP USA. “CFA’s deep reservoir of in-depth policy, financial, technical, and international development expertise will be deployed in conjunction with our leading sustainability strategy and resilient infrastructure capabilities to build competitive advantages for our clients worldwide.”

CFA will join WSP USA’s Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability (CRS) team, bolstering the CRS cross-company mission and multinational collaboration to expand WSP’s full suite of advisory, engineering, and consulting services for environment, energy, property and buildings, and transportation and water clients as well as those in the financial sector.

WASHINGTON — The construction industry added 60,000 jobs on net in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered virtually all (99%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

Nonresidential construction employment increased by 29,400 positions in February, with all three subsectors experiencing growth. In total, nonresidential construction is up 3.9% over the past 12 months. The residential sector added 31,000 in February and is up 4.5% since February 2021.

The construction unemployment rate fell to 6.7% in February. Unemployment across all industries declined to 3.8%, down from 4.0% in January.

“Bottom line: The U.S. economy is charging into the post-pandemic world with significant momentum, and nonresidential construction is part of that story,” said Anirban Basu, chief economist, ABC. “At the heart of America’s economic momentum is rapid workforce growth with more people reentering the workforce to take advantage of higher wages and to better contend with rapidly rising prices.

“Evidence indicates that contractors have had a somewhat easier time filling available positions recently,” said Basu. “There are also indications that supply chain issues have improved slightly, though the Ukraine/Russia war may create new issues on that front. With demand strong and the supply side of the economy in repair, 2022 is setting up to be a strong year for contractors. At some point, federal infrastructure dollars will begin to flow more freely, and that will help support additional contractor backlog, which declined to 8.0 months in ABC’s latest Construction Backlog Indicator report.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Louisiana-based Craig Hebert (CH) Engineering has joined Salas O’Brien, further strengthening Salas O’Brien’s engineering expertise and creating a combined firm of more than 50 offices, 1,400 team members, and 360 registered professionals.

The CH team’s capabilities and portfolio complement Salas O’Brien’s existing work in the commercial, educational, and health care markets, and the merger increases the combined team’s ability to provide comprehensive, integrated, multidiscipline engineering services.

As the next step in Salas O’Brien’s strategy to be local everywhere, with international resources, the CH team will continue to be managed by its current leaders and will adopt the Salas O’Brien name after a transition period.
The merger closed on Feb. 1, and news was shared soon afterward with both the CH and Salas O’Brien teams.

“Strong leadership, outstanding client service, and excellent craftsmanship are strengths of CH Engineering, just like they are of Salas O’Brien,” said David Bonaventure, principal and leader of Salas O’Brien’s Louisiana offices. “I am thrilled that Craig and the CH team have become part of Salas O’Brien and that, together, we can collaborate to provide integrated engineering service to clients in Louisiana and beyond.”

DALLAS — Jacobs is part of a consortium selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to develop and implement an inductive vehicle charging pilot — the first of its kind in the U.S. The project team will be led by Electreon, a provider of wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). NextEnergy, a Detroit-based clean energy accelerator, will head up stakeholder and partner engagement. The pilot will also be supported by partners like Ford Motor Co. and DTE Energy — a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services — among others.

As the engineering partner, Jacobs will provide project management and design services to successfully deliver this pilot project through to operation. The consortium will design and build a one-mile stretch of dynamic and stationary wireless EV charging technology in Detroit hosted by the Michigan Central mobility innovation district, which serves as an open platform for collaboration. The technology, developed by Electreon, will enable inductive charging by placing embedded coils under the road pavement along with semi-dynamic charging stations at end point terminals to charge the vehicles while stationary in a queuing or parking lane. The system supports charging of equipped EVs and addresses several shortcomings in electrification related to battery limitations, charging needs and vehicle asset utilization.

CHICAGO — Walter P Moore opened its 23^rd domestic office on Jan. 19 in Chicago, demonstrating growth in the Midwest region.

“Our move into Chicago represents an incredible opportunity to leverage our entire platform while bringing value to our clients,” said Dilip Choudhuri, president and CEO, Walter P Moore. “Opening the office presents unique opportunities to help us maintain existing relationships and build new client connections in several of our target market sectors.”

Matt Wagner was named managing director for the firm's diagnostics group and will head up the new office, overseeing forensic engineering, restoration and renovation, enclosure diagnostics, and parking restoration services. With more than 20 years of experience in structural engineering design and forensic services, his expertise includes assessing and designing repairs for steel, concrete, precast concrete, masonry, and heavy timber in a variety of building types.

Blair Hanuschak, managing principal, serves as executive director for structures and will oversee structural engineering, façade engineering, parking services, secure design, and construction engineering.

“Chicago is a key area for growth, and we are delighted to expand our offerings in the region,” said Dr. Gabriel Jiménez, managing principal and executive director of Walter P Moore’s diagnostics group. “Driven by dedication and commitment, we will continue to deliver custom, creative professional services that go beyond client expectations.”