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Chad Clinehens | Publisher cclinehens@zweiggroup.com Sara Parkman | Senior Editor sparkman@zweiggroup.com Tel: 800-466-6275 Email: info@zweiggroup.com Online: zweiggroup.com/blogs/ news
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CHAD CLINEHENS , from page 1
CREATING SUCCESS. These awards don’t just highlight isolated achievements. They reveal the DNA of firms that are thriving in today’s fast-paced AEC landscape. These firms have demonstrated what it means to lead with purpose, adapt with agility, and invest in the people and ideas that drive long-term success. Each of the winners in this issue represents a unique vision of what it means to be great, but they all share one thing in common: a commitment to doing things the right way. This is what it means to build a truly great firm. Not just for today, but for the future. The firms featured in this issue are setting the tone for where the AEC industry is headed. They’re not waiting for change. Instead, they’ve shown their willingness to create change. Whether through rethinking employee engagement, accelerating smart growth strategies, or crafting marketing campaigns that resonate, these firms are leading by example. They remind us that innovation in the AEC industry is about more than technology and design trends. It’s about being bold enough to reimagine how firms operate, connect, and grow. As you explore this week’s issue of The Zweig Letter and meet this year’s winners, take note of the patterns. It’s no accident these firms landed where they did. They asked hard questions, made intentional choices, and invested in the things that matter most. You’ll see firms that prioritize culture without sacrificing growth, firms that communicate with clarity and purpose, and firms that build trust both inside and outside their walls. For me, that’s what makes these awards so meaningful. They do more than capture a snapshot of success. They spotlight the values and decisions that lead to lasting impact. Each winning firm made deliberate choices like investing in their people, pursuing growth with purpose, and communicating with clarity and creativity. These decisions represent the foundation of good leadership in the AEC industry. Each award winner has their own unique story, but together they reveal a larger narrative of the industry evolving through innovation, culture, and vision. These firms are doing more than checking boxes. They’re setting standards. They’ve aligned their people, their practice, and their projects in a way that moves them and the AEC industry forward. We’re proud to recognize their achievements, but the celebration doesn’t stop here. This year’s winners will be honored at the ElevateAEC conference in San Antonio, Texas , September 9-11. We’ll raise a glass (or two) to the firms that are building more than the built environment. They’re building the future of the AEC industry, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them. Learn more here! Chad Clinehens is president and CEO of Zweig Group. Contact him at cclinehens@zweiggroup.com.
growing pains. Hot Firm rankings are based on a combination of percentage revenue growth and dollar revenue growth over a three-year period. That means it’s not just about size. It’s about momentum. Making the Hot Firm List is a clear message for firms on the rise as they attract talent, opportunity, and attention along the way. These are the firms showing that bold growth is possible and sustainable. Also new this year is the AEC Innovator Award , presented in partnership with KP Reddy Co. This is the first and only innovation assessment and award for AEC firms. The award celebrates firms that make real change through technology, innovative business models, cultural transformation, or forward-thinking design and construction practices. The award utilizes KP Reddy Co.’s DIAL assessment, which aims to be the reference standard for measuring organizational effectiveness in innovation strategy and return on innovation investment. Similar to the other Zweig Group awards, the AEC Innovator Award utilizes data and insights to award firms that have mastered the practice of true innovation. PROJECTS: MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD. The Marketing Excellence Award (MEA) is a spotlight on the creativity that generates results in the AEC industry. This award showcases the teams that turn technical expertise into compelling stories, eye-catching visuals, and campaigns that connect. MEA honors outstanding marketing in categories like branding, recruitment, social media, proposals, and drone videos. This award proves that great communication isn’t optional. It’s essential. Whether redefining a brand or launching a bold new campaign, MEA winners are showing the industry what’s possible when smart strategy meets good design. PEOPLE: RISING STARS. What makes the Rising Stars award special is that it isn’t just about talent. It’s also about impact. Rising Stars winners are professionals who elevate everything around them: their teams, their firms, and the AEC industry as a whole. The Rising Stars award honors emerging professionals who have demonstrated exceptional technical ability, leadership, drive, and vision. Our 2025 Rising Stars winners have led multi-million-dollar projects, mentored junior staff, started sustainability initiatives, and pushed their firms into new markets. They are setting the tone for what the future of AEC leadership looks like. These Rising Stars winners are proof that leadership and change aren’t just reserved for corner offices and decades of experience. Rather, leadership and change are there for anyone bold enough to step up, speak out, and take action. Zweig Group’s 2025 Rising Stars winners are filled with passion, creativity, and forward momentum. We are proud to shine a spotlight on the next generation of AEC leaders.
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THE ZWEIG LETTER JUNE 23, 2025, ISSUE 1591
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