Press Release: F&V Names 1 Senior Associate, 4 New Associates
Fleis & VandenBrink (F&V) announced today additions to its leadership/ownership team, adding a new Senior Associate and four Associates.
The changes were announced Wednesday during the company’s annual anniversary breakfast meeting for its employees in Michigan and Indiana. F&V, which was founded in 1993 by Larry Fleis and the late Steve Vanden Brink, celebrated its 29th anniversary on Jan. 12.
David Harvey, P.E., was named new Senior Associate. New Associates include Ken Mlcek, P.E., Trevor Woollatt, Darold Harlan and Brad Nanzer.
“I’m very excited for our new Associates and Senior Associate and I am also excited for our company,” said John DeVol, president of F&V and its parent company F&V Companies, Inc. after announcing the new leaders. “One of the most important parts of being invited to be part of our Principal/Associate program is living our company values every day. They have worked very hard, and this shows that their peers recognize their contributions.
“Another important thing to celebrate today is that this announcement is a reminder that the transition plan started over 16 years ago is providing tremendous opportunities for our people.”
F&V has grown from a two-person civil engineering firm to one with nine offices in Michigan and Indiana. The Principal/Associate program was started in 2006 to promote leadership and ownership transition. Principals and Associates are nominated by their peers and vetted out by the Principals and Senior Associates.
Harvey, a senior project manager, joined F&V’s Process Group in Grand Rapids in 2002. He specializes in environmental engineering projects including wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, water distribution systems, and solid waste systems.
Harvey has been involved in preliminary design evaluations and reports, feasibility studies, and project plans, as well as major design and construction projects. Harvey has a bachelor’s and masters degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Mlcek, a project manager, joined F&V’s Municipal Group in 2005. The northern Michigan native specializes in municipal utility project designs and works out of the Traverse City office. Mlcek has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University.
Woollatt joined F&V’s Environmental Group in Grand Rapids in 2018 as a senior project manager. He has more than two decades of experience in structuring local, state and federal incentives for redevelopment and economic development and decades of practical environmental due diligence experience. The Maryland native has a bachelor’s degree in geology from West Virginia University.
Harlan is an operations specialist in southwest Michigan. He joined F&V Operations & Resources Management, Inc., in 2016. The Indiana native has an associate’s degree in applied science and electrical engineering.
Nanzer joined F&V’s Survey Group in 1995. The survey crew chief specializes in survey and infrastructure projects. The Michigan native is a Ferris State University grad.
“I am very proud of all F&V staff and the new leaders,” said Larry Fleis, chairman of the board of directors for F&V Companies, Inc. “Happy Anniversary!
“It all started 29 years ago today, so this day brings back a lot of good memories when Steve and I were in our cars on our bag phones. It’s really incredible where this company is going, the visioning and all the successful transitioning that is going on.”
In 2021, F&V was recognized as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in West Michigan, Metro Detroit, as well as in the Nation. It was also recognized in 2021 as the 30th ranked “Hot Firm” in the United States and Canada by Zweig Group, a leading advisor for the architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms.