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ON THE MOVE FEHR GRAHAM ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES Fehr Graham, a leading Midwest engineering and environmental firm, announced that Mick Gronewold, PE, is stepping into a leadership role as the Midwest Platform CEO with Trilon Group. Kyle Saunders, Fehr Graham’s chief strategy officer, will succeed Gronewold as Fehr Graham president. In his new role, Gronewold will lead Trilon’s Midwest Platform firms of Fehr Graham, Gonzalez Companies and The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. Together, the three firms have 48 offices across the Midwest with more than 1,000 employees. Together, the three firms are among the 10 largest infrastructure consulting firms in the Midwest. Trilon will look to Gronewold, who is succeeding the retiring Dean Niese, PE, to apply his strategic vision and leadership to continue the success of the Midwest Platform and Fehr Graham. Fehr Graham merged with Trilon Group in May 2023, aligning with a partner that shares its Core Values and culture. Trilon supports Fehr Graham by investing in talent, technology, and targeted mergers and acquisitions to accelerate growth and advance employees’ careers. Mick Renshaw, founder and CEO of Trilon Group, praised Gronewold’s dedication to excellence and his deep understanding of running an engineering business, noting that these qualities
make him the ideal leader to guide the Midwest Platform firms. His vision aligns perfectly with Trilon’s mission of building community-focused infrastructure solutions. “Mick’s leadership has set a standard of excellence that resonates throughout our operations,” Renshaw said. “His commitment to sustainability and innovation continues to inspire our teams and drive our projects forward.” Saunders, who joined Fehr Graham in April, brings a decade of experience in municipal leadership and water infrastructure. He has a proven track record of developing highly effective teams and building collaboration across functional organizations. Saunders has already spearheaded several of the firm’s more recent growth initiatives and developed continuous improvement strategies based on his analysis of the firm’s operation and key performance indicators. “Kyle’s remarkable ability to connect with clients and staff, lead through influence and navigate complex problems while maintaining a positive and forward- thinking approach to business and infrastructure position him perfectly to lead Fehr Graham into its next chapter,” Gronewold said. Gronewold joined Fehr Graham in 1993 and has steered the firm’s growth and performance while executing high- profile design and permitting projects for
municipal and private clients. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology. He is part of numerous professional associations, including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers and the American Public Works Association. Gronewold and his wife, Kate, live in Forreston, Illinois, and have three adult children. Saunders began his career at the City of Rockford, where he started as a Senior Engineering Technician and ascended to Director of Public Works. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration and Management from Rockford University. He also earned a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a member of the Illinois Section American Water Works Association and chairs its Water Utility Council. He lives in Rockford with his wife, Kelly. Fehr Graham is a premier provider of engineering, environmental and funding solutions for commercial, industrial, institutional and government clients with Midwest office locations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Fehr Graham is an Engineering News-Record Top 500 Design Firm, Midwest Top Design Firm and Zweig Group Hot Firm.
contribution when we filled out that 401(k) paperwork at our first job. His reasoning was that you’ll never miss it if you just invest it immediately, and you’ll be a lot better off and will have more financial freedom if you invest early. He was right, too. I’m a lot better off today, and my money is making money while I sleep. “Continuous investment in marketing and business development ensures that when the market eventually slows down, your firm remains resilient and well-positioned.” Your marketing can do the same thing! With your investment in marketing and business development, it’s much easier to gain market share, increase profits, and hire more talent. Again, that
all sounds like a great investment to me. You have to invest consistently in your marketing efforts, so they will pay off for your firm. Consistent investment in marketing and business development is essential for long-term success. It enables firms to gain market share, increase profits, and hire more talent. This strategic approach ensures your firm will remain competitive and profitable, even during slower periods. Marketing and business development are long-term commitments that require consistent efforts. By investing early and continuously, firms can achieve significant benefits, including increased market share, higher profits, and the ability to attract top talent. This strategic approach is where early and consistent investments lead to greater rewards over time. Lindsay Young, MBA, FSMPS, CPSM is a marketing services advisor with Zweig Group and president and founder of nu marketing. She can be reached at lyoung@zweiggroup.com.
THE ZWEIG LETTER MAY 26, 2025, ISSUE 1587
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