VHB acquires Ecological Engineering

From left: Lane Sauls, Jenny Fleming (joining as Principals from Ecological Engineering), Lyle Overcash (Raleigh Managing Director), Nancy Barker (Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager), Bill Ashworth (COO), Frank Fleming (joining as Associate from Ecological Engineering).

Raleigh, N.C. — VHB acquired Ecological Engineering, a 16-person, natural and water resources firm in Raleigh, N.C. Together with Ecological Engineering, VHB’s 100+ professionals in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., are poised to deliver a broader array of services to meet market demands throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia — including transportation, energy, real estate, institutional, and municipal markets.

Established in 2008, Ecological Engineering specializes in hydraulic and hydrologic studies and design, ecological restoration and mitigation, environmental compliance, natural resources studies, and environmental permitting.

“This acquisition further solidifies our existing strong team in Raleigh and will allow us to build upon our transportation practice by adding technical capabilities in hydrology, hydraulics, and natural resources services,” said Raleigh Managing Director, Lyle Overcash. “We’re excited to welcome our new colleagues and look forward to a bright future together serving clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic.”

VHB has worked in North Carolina for nearly 30 years and established its Raleigh location in 2005. The office’s nationally-recognized transportation safety team primarily served the Federal Highway Administration, and in 2013, VHB expanded services in North Carolina with the acquisition of M/A/B (established in Raleigh in 2000). In 2016, VHB acquired BBM Associates in Raleigh, building upon the team’s strong transportation capabilities with the addition of land development services. The firm also has 150 additional professionals in six offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Richmond, and Tysons, Virginia; Washington, DC; and Silver Spring, Maryland.

VHB President and CEO Mike Carragher stated, “The future holds tremendous opportunities for the region and VHB continues to evolve to help our clients address tomorrow’s challenges. Together with Ecological Engineering, we are in an even better position to deliver solutions to our clients facing increasingly complex transportation and land use challenges associated with the rapid growth in the region.”

Ecological Engineering’s Jenny Fleming, PE, Managing Partner, and Lane Sauls, Partner/Principal Scientist, will join VHB as Principals. Frank Fleming, PE, joins as an Associate.

“We are excited to be part of the VHB team where we can make an even greater impact shaping the future of the region. I’m looking forward to the opportunities that joining forces will provide for our employees as well as clients,” said Jenny Fleming, Principal. “We’ve enjoyed collaborating with VHB in the past and it’s great to make our partnership official!”

As part of the acquisition, Ecological Engineering will join VHB’s North Carolina team and operate legally as VHB Engineering, NC, P.C. The Ecological Engineering team will move into VHB’s office in Raleigh at: Venture I, 940 Main Campus Drive, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606.