O'Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC

LSU students Amanda, Lucas, Ian, and Brogan recently got an exclusive glimpse into the exciting life and projects of an O&A team member! From innovative strategies to collaborative teamwork, they experienced it all at O'Connell & Associates. But it wasn’t all work and no play - the team also took a break to soak in the breathtaking views of the beautiful beaches of 30A! If you're interested in living and working where others vacation, this could be your experience too. Jump start your career with O'Connell & Associates. Visit www.oconnellengineers.com for more information.

In 2022, after 9 years in business, we hired a business consultant to perform a comprehensive analysis of our organization. Despite all of our success up to that point, what we found was that much of it was on paper. Things didn’t feel “right.” The study showed that our internal processes were insufficient and company morale was waning. Beginning in 2023 we implemented a new initiative to redefine our company from “transactional to transformational.” We hired a new Director of Operations to help drive our company mission by, amongst other things, creating opportunities for us to lean into our core values: Community, Communication and Quality of Work. We implemented a number of new internal initiatives, including interdepartmental, cross-functional training and one-on-one leadership and management sessions for our department managers. We revised our organizational chart and developed “career ladder” illustrations so team members could see not only where they were, but what was ahead and what it takes to get to where they want to go. Everybody engaged and the team bought-in. In February, 2024 O’Connell & Associates was named the 2023 Small Business of the Year by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. Company culture matters. The mental and professional well-being of your team matters. As Albert Einstein said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather of value.” Smart…

It's a competitive world out there! I believe the Temptations said it best when they sang, "We Ain't Too Proud to Beg!" O'Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC. hits the recruiting trail starting February 7th and 8th, beginning at the LSU career fair in Baton Rouge, LA with additional stops in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Tallahassee, Gainesville and Atlanta scheduled for later this Spring, Summer and Fall. We LIVE where you VACATION! Oh, and did I also mention that we're hiring?!?

The Next Big Thing(s)! – Lauren, Morgan, and Melody proudly represented O'Connell & Associates at "The Next BIG Thing," the annual leadership development event hosted by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. This fantastic event focused on Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship, and Women in Business, with presentations aimed at empowering individuals both professionally and personally. The event is all about nurturing emerging entrepreneurs and fostering the growth of existing ones while shaping the leaders of tomorrow. ? A huge thank you to the Walton Chamber and our event sponsors, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Eglin Federal Credit Union, for making this remarkable event possible!

Here's a cool behind-the-scenes picture taken during final inspection by our Civil Engineering Permits Manager, Ms. Ansley Williams, of a 10,000 sq.ft. single-family compound (15,000 sq.ft including balconies, porches and a 1,300 sq.ft. garage) in Seagrove Beach, Florida. In case you were wondering, there is also an amazing swimming pool and meticulously landscaped outdoor space just beyond the site wall to the right of the photo! As one might expect, this project did not come together overnight. In the words of John Quincy Adams, "patience and perseverance have a magical effect, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." Congratulations to the owner/builder, Paul and Kim Stagner, Chris Stoyles and Archiscapes architectural team and O'Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC. civil and structural engineering teams!

Civil engineering and regulatory permitting by O’Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC!

Exciting things happening in Walton County, Florida! The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Seacoast Collegiate High School took place this week, ushering in a new era of educational opportunities for Walton County and beyond! The school expansion will begin a collaborative partnership between Northwest Florida State College and Seacoast High School, offering dual-enrollment for high school students and allowing them the opportunity to graduate with up to 60 hrs of college credits and an Associate's degree. Additionally, the campus will offer a wide selection of workforce training, which will support regional industry recruiting and overall economic development. O'Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC is proud serve as both the civil and structural engineer of record for this quality project, which will undoubtedly serve as a legacy for our regional community! https://lnkd.in/g-4NRWE3

Got an early birthday present from the Walton County BOCC yesterday, another Unanimous! Great Teams make Great Projects and the Peach Creek Mixed Use PUD promotes Aging in Place with enhanced connectivity to public schools and additional public recreation for adjacent communities. Thank you Neill O'Connell, PE, FBRSE for brining me onto the Team.

How about a project highlight for our structural engineering team! Here's a good one! Located in Seagrove Beach, FL, it's a four-story, single family residence with a conditioned living area measuring approximately 8,850 sq. ft. The structure consists of an auger cast concrete pile and structural mat-slab foundation, reinforced concrete walls, pre-engineered timber truss floor trusses and a cast-in-place concrete balcony and roof system. The project also includes approximately 3,900 sq. ft. of unconditioned space, including balconies and porches and a 920 sq. ft. garage. Architecture by A Boheme Design and construction by EarthBuild, LLC. O'Connell & Associates also performed the civil engineering / stormwater management design.