10
TRANSACTIONS TOWERPINKSTER AND KOVERT HAWKINS ARCHITECTS ANNOUNCE MERGER Zweig Group, a full-service AEC management advisory firm, announced its client TowerPinkster merged with Kovert Hawkins Architects in October 2021 to create a stronger and more geographically diverse design firm. Together, the firms boast nearly 200 professionals and more than 100 years of combined experience. With additional services, increased expertise, and expanded geographic reach, the team is better able to serve clients throughout the Midwest and beyond. Jamie Claire Kiser, Zweig Group’s managing principal, served as TowerPinkster’s lead advisor on the engagement. “We’re excited about the possibilities this merger brings and the opportunity to integrate our two firms into one large, unified team working toward a visionary future,” said Björn Green, CEO of TowerPinkster. “We’re looking forward to pulling together best practices to
advance our business strategies and better serve our clients. In the end, our goal is to envision and create high- quality design solutions for our collective clients.” TowerPinkster is an employee-owned design firm specializing in architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, and technology design. Since 1953, TowerPinkster has been creating unique and forward- thinking environments for clients and communities throughout Michigan and beyond. The firm has offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven, Michigan. Kovert Hawkins Architects was established in 1985 by Hal Kovert and John Hawkins. The firm has offices in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. Over the years, the firm has designed many impressive projects in a wide array of market sectors including K-12, commercial, government, historic renovations, industrial, and healthcare. “We’re thrilled to have merged with such
a forward-thinking firm that is aligned with us culturally and technically,” said Hal Kovert, principal and founder of Kovert Hawkins. “Both firms are highly invested in our communities, devoted to hiring the best and brightest talent, and committed to a client-centric design philosophy. We look forward to offering our clients expanded services and growing our expertise and knowledge.” The merger will create a deeper bench of design professionals and services, allowing each to better serve clients throughout the region. Areas of expertise include structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering; technology and security design; interior design; master planning; and landscape architecture. Both firms enjoy an impressive list of national and regional clients and projects. Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the leading research, publishing, and consulting resource for the built environment. For more information, visit zweiggroup.com or call 800.466.6275.
He says, “I’ve been lucky with the team that we have collectively built in the civil department. I enjoy the team both personally and professionally and I am always willing to listen to anyone on the team. We don’t shy away from new ideas or different approaches to our work. We want every employee to have a voice and be heard.” Employee retention is a vital part in maintaining the stability of the company. Schwind has seen talented engineers start their career and grow as engineers and into young professionals. He wants to show the young engineers that RLG Consulting Engineers has more to offer them than other firms. Work-life balance is vital. Schwind has seen that a healthy work/life balance increases employee productivity and morale. He’s focused on the overall health and wellbeing of the team. “You can see a difference in an employee who knows when to take a break and comes in refreshed and ready to go the next day.” He has built a team of hardworking, talented people that he sees as peers, not as employees. Trust is key to keeping talented employees engaged and happy at the firm. At every level, they are encouraged to develop a client base within the firm and continue to growwith RLG. Employee retention is a two way street, requiring trust between both the company and the employee. Schwind understands this and so does his team, making RLG the place they look forward to working every day as they grow in their career. Stephen Schwind is a principal at RLG Consulting Engineers in Dallas, Texas. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
STEPHEN SCHWIND, from page 9
its work. Once employees are hired and join the team, Schwind takes time to really get to know them. He hates being called a “boss,” and would rather be viewed as a friend and mentor. Schwind and the civil team rely on team lunches and happy hours to maintain their personal relationship. He also tries to keep the atmosphere as stress free as possible in the office, while maintaining professional client relationships and producing top quality work. “This personal relationship is key to growing and maintaining trust in the team and to the success of the individual and company,” Schwind says. He makes sure that the atmosphere is conducive to creative growth and prefers not to micromanage. He has learned over the years that it is very important in employee retention because it shows trust in his employees. Because he spends so much time getting to know his team, he knows when to motivate them or test their limits. He also knows when one of his employees might need a break or someone to talk to. “I am always willing to listen to anyone on the team. We don’t shy away from new ideas or different approaches to our work. We want every employee to have a voice and be heard.”
© Copyright 2022. Zweig Group. All rights reserved.
THE ZWEIG LETTER JANUARY 17, 2022, ISSUE 1424
Made with FlippingBook Annual report