BGE, Inc., a full-service, multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm planted its roots in Houston 50 years ago, with just a handful of employees and a limited scope of work. Over the years, it has grown into a highly respected civil infrastructure firm with employees and offices in six states.
The current team – more than 1,200 strong – is enjoying a 50th anniversary celebration worthy of their years of success and leadership in the industry.
“This milestone is not just a reflection of our past achievements but also a time to reflect on the journey ahead,” said Lee Lennard, BGE’s president and CEO. “Our commitment to excellence has allowed us to grow and adapt in an ever-changing and competitive industry.”
Strategic Growth
When BGE’s first president Pat Brown founded the company alongside Dick Gay in 1975, it focused on land development and surveying. When Brown acquired Mercer-Brown Engineers, Inc., the company rebranded to Brown, Gay and Associates. As the company grew, it added more specialties. First, it was site development, transportation systems, and public works. Later, it added construction management, environmental services, planning, landscape architecture, and technology departments to the company’s portfolio.
The company relocated its Houston headquarters to Westchase District in 2006 so that they could be near their clients and where their employees were already living. The first offices outside of Houston opened in Fort Worth, Austin, and Frisco, Texas.
Brown, Gay and Associates gave way to Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc., which, in 2014, became BGE, Inc. The company is still known by that name with offices in Texas, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona. All of this growth has been chronicled in a book commemorating the company’s 50-year history.
Sunni Goodman, BGE’s managing marketing director, who helped compile the book, said that BGE has maintained a small company culture despite its substantial growth. “We’re people-focused. Our company makes a significant internal investment in its people,” said Goodman.
People First
This includes many BGE leadership development programs that benefit the staff. The Leadership Institute is focused on personal and professional growth, bringing together seasoned veterans and new leaders in a collaborative learning environment. BGE’s Mentor Program is a formal one-on-one program designed to support employee growth and build relationships across the company. Meanwhile, the BGE Associate Program was created to recognize, reward, appreciate, and continue to develop leaders within the organization.
Goodman cites BGE’s core values of Integrity, Commitment, Respect, and Excellent Reputation as helping the company stay true to its roots even as it enjoys tremendous growth. “We live out those values. In fact, they’re part of the hiring process, because we want to find the right people whose values align with the company,” said Goodman.
Houston Region Operations Leader Rodney Heisch, who was hired in 1990, agreed with Goodman’s assessment. “Despite our tremendous growth, we’ve maintained a strong collaborative culture that makes BGE unique. After 35 years, what’s kept me at BGE is the people. We build communities where people live, work, and play. That’s been the most fulfilling part of my career: seeing projects come to life and knowing they make a real impact,” said Heisch.
In Houston, BGE has contributed to significant area projects, including the Grand Parkway, Brays Bayou, and the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project. The firm also worked on Westchase District’s Library Loop Trail and Brays Bayou Connector Trail.
A Celebration 50 Years in the Making
To commemorate its golden anniversary, BGE hosted BGE Day celebrations across all 22 offices. They also launched the 50 for 50 Community Service Initiative, a year-long commitment to giving back one service project at a time. All 22 offices and 1,200 employees participated in the company’s first community service project, which was creating cards for the Cards for Hospitalized Kidz organization. BGE offices will identify local projects and organizations to continue serving throughout the year.
“We have a real commitment to the communities we serve,” concluded Goodman.
