Wightman Announces Associate Ownership Members and Promotions

Benton Harbor, Mich.— Wightman, a full-service architecture, civil engineering, and surveying firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new associates to its ownership program. This strategic move highlights the company's commitment to fostering talent and ensuring a strong leadership pipeline for the future.

The newly appointed associates are Noah Boyd, Jason Edwards, Rich Hutchinson, Emmanuel Kollias, and Zach Marsh. Each brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record of success in their respective roles.

"We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional individuals to our ownership program," said Brian Lieberg, Chairman of Wightman’s Board of Directors. "Their dedication, skillset, passion for serving clients, and respect of their co-workers will be instrumental in driving our company's growth and innovation in the years to come."

As part of the ownership program, the new associates will play key roles in strategic decision-making, business development, and operational excellence. They will work closely with senior leadership to drive initiatives that enhance clients’ experiences, promote sustainability, and drive overall business success.

Boyd is a licensed Professional Engineer and has been with the firm for five years. He has a diverse background in commercial, mixed use, municipal, and residential site design projects. Previously serving as its president, Boyd is a current board member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Southwest Michigan chapter.

Edwards, a licensed Professional Engineer, serves as Transportation Services Manager. He has nearly 20 years of professional experience in transportation road design, asset management and planning, and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and state-funded projects.

Hutchinson is a land surveyor with the firm, having joined Wightman in 2019. As an energy sector project manager, he oversees all aspects of the survey process, from planning and managing surveys to collecting, analyzing, and reporting data.

Kollias is a licensed architect and an architecture department manager. He has over 30 years’ experience in architectural design and planning for municipal, commercial, energy, and industrial clients and joined the firm in 2022.

Marsh, a licensed Professional Surveyor, has been with the firm for nine years, beginning his career as a field technician intern before becoming a survey crew chief. He is a project manager focused on construction staking for MDOT and municipal clients as well as site layout projects.

In addition to the appointment of new associates, several shareholders were promoted during the meeting. George Kacan, AIA and Tony Kraiger were elevated from Associate to Senior Associate status based on their efforts and dedication to growing the firm’s presence in the Royal Oak, Michigan, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, regions, respectively. Mary Deneau Nykamp, P.E. was promoted from Senior Associate to Principal Associate status and recognized for her contributions to the Board of Directors and strong client relationships throughout southwest Michigan.

“It’s exciting to have such strong candidates nominated and promoted by their peers into their new respective associate groups. Their contributions to the continued growth and success of Wightman is recognized both internally and externally, and their subsequent promotions make our ownership stronger than ever,” shared Philip Doorlag, Board of Directors Secretary.

The Board of Directors also reaffirmed its members during the annual shareholders’ meeting. Brian Lieberg serves as the Chairman, while Doorlag is the Secretary, and Nykamp is the Treasurer. Trustees include Greg Monberg, AIA and Lee Petcu, Jr.

As an employee-owned firm, Wightman fosters a sense of shared ownership, mutual success, and positive company culture. These key advantages offer benefits for the employees, company as a whole, clients, and the communities in which it serves.