News & Insights
By HLR
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23 Feb, 2024
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is proud to congratulate Nick Piekarski on being named the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois 2024 Emerging Professional of the Year! The Emerging Professional of the Year Award honors dedication and community impact, recognizing individuals who have contributed to the profession, the American Council of Civil Engineering Companies of Illinois, and society. This year, that honor has been bestowed upon Nick Piekarski, a shining example of dedication and passion within the industry. Nick's journey in the world of civil engineering began over a decade ago when he joined Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) as an intern. Graduating from the University of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, he swiftly transitioned into a full-time role at HLR. Over the years, Nick's career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early days as an intern to his current position as Project Manager and Officer at the firm, he has continually exemplified excellence. Nick boasts an impressive array of credentials, including licensures as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) across multiple states, certification as a Floodplain Manager, and Designated Erosion Control Inspector (DECI). However, it's not just his technical acumen that sets him apart; it's his involvement in shaping HLR's strategic vision, nurturing its culture, and his commitment to giving back to both the profession and the community. At HLR, Nick is a driving force behind the firm's strategic initiatives and cultural values. He actively participates in mentorship programs, both as a mentor and a mentee, nurturing the next generation of engineering talent. Beyond the office, Nick is deeply engaged in community service, volunteering his time for various projects and initiatives. His involvement with organizations like the Elgin Area Leadership Academy underscores his dedication to fostering community leadership and understanding. One of Nick's most impactful contributions is his work with School District U-46 and its Alignment Collaborative for Education. By coordinating high school internship programs and mentoring students, he is actively shaping the future of the engineering profession. His passion for his work is infectious, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence and to make a positive impact wherever they go. As a member of both the ACEC Illinois Engineering Excellence Awards and ACEC Emerging Professionals committees, Nick remains deeply invested in shaping the future of the engineering profession. The Emerging Professional of the Year Award serves as a fitting tribute to Nick's unyielding dedication and exemplary leadership. He embodies the core values of HLR, encapsulating HLR's " WORK HARD • HAVE FUN • GIVE BACK® " culture in every endeavor. As we celebrate Nick's achievements, we also celebrate the bright future of civil engineering, guided by passionate individuals like him. Congratulations to Nick and his fellow nominees for their outstanding contributions to the field.
By HLR
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23 Feb, 2024
On February 19, employees from HLR's Elgin, Crystal Lake, Springfield, and Mt. Carmel offices gathered at the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center in Champaign, IL for a day of learning, fun, giving back, and celebration. Since 2018, Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) has hosted its annual All-Employee Meeting, bringing together employees from all its offices to celebrate the previous year’s achievements, plan for future success, have fun, and give back. "While our entire team works together across all offices, it’s rare that we are all together in the same place at the same time. It’s nice to put names to faces and enjoy each other's company," said one employee. After morning remarks from President and CEO Jeni Lyon, and presentations from employees and guests, the team completed a service project benefiting an organization called Enchanted Makeovers, specifically the Capes for Kids program. Enchanted Makeovers transforms long-term shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibility through their six core programs. According to Enchanted Makeovers, Capes for Kids is a simple yet life-changing program that has gone viral and is now being replicated worldwide. All capes created by the HLR team will be donated to Enchanted Makeovers to distribute to kids in shelters that they support. For more information on Enchanted Makeovers and their wonderful programs, please visit enchantedmakeovers.org . The team wrapped up the afternoon with games and camaraderie to celebrate a successful year, our new Elgin office, and being recognized as the number one 2023 A/E/C Employer of Choice® by PSMJ Resources, Inc., the leading business management consultancy in the architecture and engineering industry worldwide. This award recognizes firms that have mastered workforce retention and productivity by achieving the highest level of employee engagement.
By HLR
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12 Oct, 2023
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) took an enthusiastic role in the School District U-46 Explore event at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on October 4-5, aiming to ignite the passion of the upcoming generation in the fields of engineering, science, and surveying. Explore is the District's annual curriculum and career exposition, organized in collaboration with the Alignment Collaborative for Education , which offers over 2,500 eighth-graders a distinctive opportunity to delve into various career paths and technical disciplines. Alignment is a local non-profit organization that unites community resources and initiatives to bolster District U-46's educational priorities. The event commenced with a Parent Showcase on Wednesday, October 4, followed by the student event on Thursday, October 5. Before the Explore event, students utilized SchooLinks, a digital college and career planning system, to discover which career clusters resonated with their current interests and aptitudes. Armed with insights from SchooLinks, students collaborated with school counselors to select the career categories they wished to explore further during the event. HLR featured prominently in the Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades pathway. Among the 40+ local businesses, industries, governmental organizations, and nonprofits participating, each was encouraged to create an interactive, engaging, and informative exhibit lasting three to four minutes for students to visit, providing an insight into the professions and careers offered by each organization. HLR's exhibit showcased an augmented reality sandbox – a 3D, interactive, dynamic educational tool designed to aid students in grasping concepts related to mapping, topography, and watersheds. Manipulating the sand inside the box would instantly update a color-coded topography map onto the sand, while even simulating a rain event to illustrate the natural flow of water based on the sand's elevations. The HLR team had a fantastic time engaging with students, parents, and U-46 staff. Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. eagerly anticipates its ongoing support for the Explore event and the opportunity to kindle the ambitions of the next generation of engineers, scientists, and surveyors.
By HLR
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12 Sep, 2023
As part of our continued expansion and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients and team alike, we are thrilled to announce that our main office has relocated to a brand-new location. Our recent move is more than just a change of address; it's a strategic step forward. Our new office at 1707 N. Randall Road, Suite 100 in Elgin, IL provides significantly more space for our growing team, advanced facilities, and a dynamic environment to foster creativity and collaboration, ensuring that we can continue to provide award-winning client service . State-of-the-art meeting spaces and collaboration areas will enhance our ability to work closely with you on your projects. Transformation of Our 380 Shepard Drive Office Location We are excited to share that construction has commenced at our 380 Shepard Drive office location. We are converting some of the office space into a garage area for our Environmental and Surveying divisions. This transformation will enable us to further support environmentally friendly initiatives and projects and foster growth. Stay Tuned! For updates on the progress of our new office and the conversion of the 380 Shepard Drive office location, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn . Rest assured, we are working diligently to ensure a seamless transition for all team members and services/operations will not be affected. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing trust and partnership with us. We believe that these changes will strengthen our ability to serve you better, and we look forward to continuing our successful collaboration in our new environment.
By HLR
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01 Sep, 2023
Congratulations to Lillian Frazee, daughter of Springfield Project Engineer Joe Frazee, on winning this year's HLR Scholarship! Lillian is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she will be studying agricultural and environmental engineering. Throughout high school, Lillian has been active in band, the Scholarship Bowl, Key Club, and 4-H where she has been elected to the offices of Recreation Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2022 and this year was a National Merit Scholarship finalist. Lillian gives back by volunteering at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center where she has spent over 150 hours preparing disaster relief, education, and heath supplies for distribution. She also hopes that her career in environmental engineering will provide opportunities for her to give back to communities. By focusing on sustainable agriculture to help fight climate change, she understands how this can help prevent food insecurity as taking care of the soil leads to more productive farming producing higher yields and a greater food supply. Lillian says, "This scholarship will help me learn how our actions impact the environment and how we can develop solutions that serve societal needs while minimizing damage and preserving the environment for future generations. I know that there is a lot of work to be done to realize the goal of a sustainable relationship with our environment, and I am willing to work hard to achieve this goal." Congratulations and good luck Lillian!
By HLR
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10 Aug, 2023
It's that time of summer when we bid farewell and extend our best wishes to our exceptional and hardworking interns as they prepare to return to the classroom. We are proud of all they have accomplished during their time with us. Hailing from various colleges and universities across the country, our group of 14 interns collaborated closely with seasoned professionals, immersing themselves in both fieldwork and office tasks. This immersive approach allowed them to acquire invaluable real-world experience. Their involvement spanned a spectrum of activities, including contributing to design and construction engineering ventures, overseeing natural area restoration projects, and engaging in surveying tasks. Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) takes immense pride in offering these enriching learning opportunities, fostering the growth of future engineers, scientists, and surveyors. Interested in interning at HLR? Summer 2024 internship opportunities at our Elgin, Crystal Lake, Springfield, and Mt. Carmel, IL locations will be posted on the Careers page of our website this fall.
By HLR
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27 Jul, 2023
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) recently had the pleasure of hosting a group of fifteen area high school students for a one-week internship, during which they had the unique opportunity to explore various departments in the office and gain hands-on experience in the field. This immersive experience provided the participating students with valuable insights into a wide range of topics related to civil engineering and offered them a glimpse into what a rewarding career in this field may entail. The topics covered during the internship included traffic engineering, materials testing, CAD/corridor modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), water/wastewater engineering, design engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, and land surveying. The internships were arranged by the Alignment Collaborative for Education in collaboration with School District U-46, 300, and 301 leaders. The Alignment is a collective impact organization of business and community leaders working in partnership with U-46 to support District priorities. Additionally, Alignment actively promotes the District’s plan to offer college and career pathways to all U-46 high schoolers through a dedicated committee, known as the "A-Team," which focuses on producing a qualified future workforce eager to live and work within their communities. One of the interns, Hannah S., described her experience with the HLR portion of the internship as "incredibly eye-opening." She highlighted how witnessing familiar classroom concepts being applied in the real world and impacting people's lives made the knowledge she gained feel significantly more important and grounded. Each summer, students have the opportunity to participate in internship programs with Alignment's business and community partners, who make these valuable opportunities possible. The internships are proudly sponsored by Kane County Region 110 CTE Programs, Elgin Township, and local host employers. Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) feels truly honored to provide these enriching learning opportunities for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and surveyors!
By HLR
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26 Jul, 2023
PSMJ Resources, Inc., the global leader in business management data and guidance for architects and engineers, has named Hampton Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) the number one 2023 A/E/C Employer of Choice®, the industry’s premier recognition of firms that have mastered workforce retention and productivity by achieving the highest level of employee engagement.
By HLR
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13 Apr, 2023
Land surveyors play a crucial role in a wide range of industries, especially in civil engineering. It is no secret that, despite the importance of their work, there is a shortage of land surveyors in Illinois and many parts of the United States. Why the shortage...and what can we do as industry professionals to reverse the trend? Firstly, it is important to understand who land surveyors are and what they do. Land surveyors are trained professionals who are responsible for measuring and mapping the land, which is then used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to construction, infrastructure, mining, and real estate. This critical profession demands extensive knowledge and experience in several areas including mathematics, engineering, geography, geodesy, cartography, and law. Why is there a shortage of land surveyors? One of the main reasons for the shortage of land surveyors is the lack of interest among young people in pursuing careers in this field. Surveying is not a well-known profession, and many students are not aware of the opportunities that exist in the field. Additionally, many students are not familiar with the math and science skills that are required for this profession, which can be a barrier to entry for some. Another factor contributing to the shortage of land surveyors is the aging workforce. Many surveyors are approaching retirement age, and there are not enough younger professionals to replace them. This is a particular concern in the United States, where the average age of surveyors is over 55 years old. It's not all bad news for Illinois, however. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , in May of 2021, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metropolitan area – a metropolitan statistical area that includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin – estimated 810 surveyors, ranking number ten on the list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in surveyors. While that estimate does not include self-employed workers, there is still work to be done to promote the profession and encourage more people to enter it. The shortage of land surveyors is having a significant impact on the industries that rely on their services. Construction projects, for example, require accurate measurements of land and property boundaries, and delays or inaccuracies in surveying can cause significant delays and cost overruns. Infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, also require precise surveying to ensure that they are built in the correct location and meet all necessary safety standards. How can we address the shortage? There are several steps that can be taken to address the shortage of land surveyors. One is to raise awareness among young people about the opportunities that exist in this field. This can be done through outreach programs, career fairs, and partnerships with schools and universities. We need to invest in training and education programs to ensure that the next generation of surveyors has the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field. This can include continuing education courses, partnerships with industry organizations, internships, and apprenticeship programs like the Surveyor and Mapping Technician Training Program offered by the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA) in partnership with Parkland College in Champaign, IL, and participating employers.
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Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc.