Archives for 2023

IEI’s CEO, Michael Sutton, PE joined leaders from agencies and firms at ENR’s LA Infrastructure Forum to sign the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) pledge.

The EIP aims to create a more equitable distribution of the funds made available by the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by creating more prime, JV, and equity contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUBs), thereby contributing to the growth of generational wealth and the reduction of the racial wealth gap in our industry.

IEI recognizes the importance of contracting programs that help level the playing field for M/D/WBE firms by opening opportunities for smaller firms to demonstrate their capabilities and learn through partnering.

IEI appreciates and supports the vision of Denver International Airport CEO Phillip A. Washington, former US Deputy Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari, and others who had the foresight to found EIP. We look forward to working with the leaders of the firms and agencies who also support and signed the EIP in advancing this important initiative.

Infrastructure Engineering Inc. turns 25 today, October 23rd!

Over the past 25 years, IEI has grown from a two-person office in Chicago to over 150 talented professionals in six offices throughout five states, earning a reputation for INGENUITY by delivering sustainable solutions for complex engineering challenges.

Celebrating our first quarter of a century gives us the opportunity to remember our past, celebrate our present, and anticipate a bright future fueled by the dedication and diverse talent of our IEI team.

IEI is grateful for the public agencies, teaming partners, and community stakeholders who have believed in our firm and given us a chance to prove ourselves time and time again.

We look forward to a strong future of delivering on our mission to transform, inspire, and enrich communities where we live and work by reimagining infrastructure.

The month of October is designated as Global Diversity Awareness Month. At the end of the Second World War, to acknowledge the equality of all cultures and people, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris. The Declaration emphasizes that every individual, regardless of gender, religion, race, sexuality, ethnicity, geography, or language deserves equal respect and recognition.

As a firm that has purposefully created a diverse and multicultural team, IEI joins in the celebration of Global Diversity Awareness Month. We appreciate and recognize the ideas and beliefs held by all cultures around the world. We understand that embracing the uniqueness of all cultures impacts our local communities by opening our minds to new views and ideas.

At IEI, we recognize that our best solutions are formed through the sharing of diverse thoughts, values, and experiences. Those collective ideas fuel our signature INGENUITY.

For more information about Global Diversity Awareness Month, visit nationaltoday.com/global-diversity-awareness-month

In celebration of the incredible women in the engineering field, June 23rd is recognized worldwide as International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).

This year’s theme, Make Safety Seen, emphasizes the roles that engineers take to improve the safety of the communities they’re in through the design and construction process.

As a firm, we exist to transform, inspire, and enrich communities by reimagining infrastructure and the women of IEI are essential to our INGENUITY. Combined, we celebrate the contributions that the women of IEI make towards this common mission. In support of this year’s theme, IEI would like to bring attention to the safety aspects of the projects, including ADA improvements, and improving the infrastructure in high traffic areas, to prevent sinkholes and other risks.

From C-Suite ownership, senior leadership and upper and mid-level management to project management, design, and accounting, marketing, and support staff, IEI women are tied to all facets of our organization. Success is driven by the talent behind it.

We are committed to creating diversity in the AEC industry and are proud to support the contributions made by the women on our team.

Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19^th. It was created to highlight the freedom of Black Americans and the end of slavery of the United States. While only being nationally recognized recently, the holiday has been celebrated since 1866.

Slavery ended in January of 1863, but news did not reach Texas until June 19^th, 1865. On the first anniversary of this day, was the first Juneteenth celebration. The people rejoiced with parties, prayers, and eventually, annual pilgrimages to Galveston, where that first celebration took place.

Juneteenth is a day of jubilation, but it is also a day of reflection. It is important to recognize the impacts that slavery has left on the United States. This holiday is a way to remember and grieve the hardships of slavery while also rejoicing in celebration of hope for the future.

As an African American owned civil engineering firm, we are committed to increasing diversity in the AEC industry. We strive to make lasting impressions through our contributions to the communities where we live and work.

For more information about Juneteenth, visit whitehouse.gov. 

National Trails Day is an annual campaign hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages the support of our nation’s public trails. Trails are an important part of urban and rural communities and have a positive impact on our mental and physical health.

IEI has proudly contributed to the design and construction of multiple award-winning trails and recreational facilities which reimagine infrastructure in both urban and rural settings across the country, such as the Illinois Prairie Path, the Indianapolis Pennsy Trail, and New York’s Starlight Park.

Pride Month is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June each year in commemoration of its roots in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. Today, Pride Month symbolizes an opportunity for visibility and community. In addition to celebrating LGBTQ+ love and joy, it’s also often a time to highlight important policy and resource issues the community faces.

The official theme for 2023 is Strength in Solidarity. Recent legislation and physical violence have impacted members of the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s theme aims to be contemporary and impactful and spotlights the power and resiliency of the community and its allies, bringing a sense of hope to the struggles the LGBTQ+ community endures.

This year’s theme aims to be contemporary and impactful and spotlights the power and resiliency of the community and its allies, bringing a sense of hope to the struggles that the LGBTQ+ community endures.

Infrastructure Engineering Inc. and Affiliates (IEI) is pleased to welcome the addition of three new shareholders in the firm. Ken Smorynski, PE, SE, Aaron Patterson, PE and Maike Rodriguez, PE will join the existing three shareholders, Michael Sutton, PE, Kashif Khan, PE, and Antoinette Coates. We congratulate these members of the Strategic Leadership Team on their rise to owners of the firm.

Ken Smorynski is a licensed professional engineer and structural engineer in Illinois and is a 10-year veteran of the firm with nearly 30 years of professional experience. In his current role as Vice President – Illinois, he is responsible for staff development, business development, client relations, contract management and day to day activities of design, construction engineering and inspection; and program management teams.

Aaron Patterson is a registered professional engineer in Illinois and has more than 15 years of A/E/C industry experience with over a decade at IEI. As IEI’s Vice President of Business Development (BD), Aaron is responsible for IEI’s local and national business development strategy, working with its six offices to enhance client relationships, market growth and bottom-line performance.

Maike Rodriguez has nearly 20 years of transportation experience with a 6-year tenure at IEI and is a licensed professional engineer in New York and New Jersey. As Vice President of Operations – New York and New Jersey, he oversees IEI’s design, program management and construction inspection staff along with the day-to-day operations across both states.

The foundation of IEI’s success is its people, culture, and engineering excellence. IEI’s roster of clients and projects has grown significantly over the past few years. That trend is projected to continue as demand for new and improved infrastructure remains high in the communities they serve. IEI recognizes and appreciates the unique contributions of these newest shareholders to the firm’s success and is excited about their future contributions as owners. Please join IEI in congratulating its new shareholders.

Earth Day: One earth, one chance.

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. The first Earth Day was initiated in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson to educate people and governments about environmental issues, including the damage that all forms of pollution cause. Earth Day was created to help bring awareness and support for environmental protection around the world.

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet,” and it calls for governments, institutions, and businesses to create global, national, and local policy changes.  Earth Day also strives to encourage over 1 billion global citizens to change our everyday behaviors to do our part to protect the planet for the future.

At IEI, our firm’s vision encourages all of us to be agents of change. We develop responsible engineering solutions based on sustainability, resiliency, and equitable access — connected transportation modes, green sites, and resilient systems – that improve the quality of life in our work and home communities.

We are transforming the Built Environment through INGENUITY.

Established in 1991, National Volunteer Month is recognized in April to celebrate the efforts of community volunteers and encourage active volunteerism.

By sharing our time, diverse talents, and energy, we strengthen and build our communities through our common values and actions. Volunteering gives us opportunities to grow and thrive as individuals while partnering to create change within our communities. The connections that are created as we support one another make us ALL stronger.

Since it was founded, IEI has been deeply committed to supporting organizations that improve the quality of life for underserved children and their families in the communities where we live and work. To that end, the Infrastructure Engineering Foundation (IEF) encourages and enables employee volunteerism through organized activities and paid volunteer hours.

This April, IEF will continue to make a difference through firm-sponsored volunteer programs and recognition of our employees’ volunteer efforts.

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

#NationalVolunteerMonth