SSOE Group

Celebrating International Women's Day! In 2023, we launched our Employee Resource Groups to create a vibrant, employee-led community that meets monthly and actively engages in local communities through volunteerism and networking events. Today, SWAN, which stands for SSOE Women and Allies Network, is our largest group, with members and allies from around the globe including over 25% combined international representation from India, where we have a location in Mumbai, and Mexico, where we have locations in both Chihuahua and León. Recognizing global demands and the importance of supporting intersectional success, SWAN formed a Mexico subgroup. Since August, our Mexico subgroup has nearly doubled in size. #InternationalWomensDay #chooseSSOE

From bench to batch: SSOE’s Scott Courtney and Greg Verhoff, LEED AP, were recently featured in Pharmaceutical Processing World, wherein they discussed the critical challenges biopharma startups face when scaling from lab discoveries to full-scale drug production. From facility design to regulatory compliance, their expertise provides invaluable guidance for startups aiming to make a significant impact in the industry. This must-read article will guide you through how to navigate this transition confidently. #PharmaceuticalDesign

SSOE's Vince DiPofi, PE, CEO, delivered an impactful speech to Northwest Ohio students at a National TRIO Day event on Saturday, held at Owens Community College. The event, themed “60 Years of TRIO: Celebrating Legacy, Creating Our Own,” featured Owens, Bowling Green State University, The University of Toledo, Lourdes University, and Northwest State Community College—all legacy clients of SSOE. All 11 TRIO programs in Northwest Ohio were represented. Vince emphasized TRIO's role in empowering students and shared his own journey from aspiring mechanical engineer to CEO, candidly sharing his challenges that didn't make his professional bio. He also surprised attendees by announcing five annual scholarships for Northwest Ohio TRIO students. SSOE's Candice Harrison, MA, and Vince both quoted within. #PressRelease #SSOEcares

Celebrating Women’s History Month. This month, we honor the influential women who’ve shaped our legacy, inspire our present, and pave the way for a brighter future in STEM—each with a unique journey. The path forward is ours to design, and we’re committed to moving forward together. Today, we’re witnessing more dynamic opportunities for mobility for women at SSOE. While women currently represent only 35% of the STEM workforce, they account for over half of the national labor force. At SSOE, our story is always a work in progress. Women hold 24% of our leadership roles, and we’re proud of our achievements: 13 women in executive leadership (including 3 out of 5 new principals this year), 140 women among our colleagues are associate-level and above, and over 50 are licensed professionals. #WomensHistoryMonth #chooseSSOE

Last week, our world headquarters buzzed with excitement as we celebrated our annual Black History Month luncheon, thanks to the efforts of our Black Leaders and Collaborative Changemakers (BLACC) Employee Resource Group. Toledo gems and Black-owned businesses Bridgette Be Cooking and Jera’s Heavenly Sweet were back to cater the event, with our own Candice Harrison, MA serving up the bakery’s sweet potato pie. The luncheon raised $1,450 for AMAYSing Kids Broadcasting Camp and Media Mentorship Program, a nonprofit dedicated to helping struggling readers in economically disadvantaged communities. This week, we held our quarterly town halls—hosted virtually by SSOE’s CEO and members of our Executive Management Team. Each session opened with soulful tunes from BLACC members Brandon Monford and Anthony Jefferson on saxophone and trombone, respectively. To top it off, BLACC organized a Black History Month Virtual Trivia, adding education to our celebrations. #BlackHistoryMonth #SSOEcares #chooseSSOE

Painting a greener future! SSOE’s enduring partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation spans 27 years, and we’re proud to be the architect and engineer behind Toyota’s new multi-floor advanced paint facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. You can score an early preview of the SSOE-designed rendering in this ASSEMBLY Magazine article. This new paint facility will boost production flexibility for future vehicle models, expand color options, and support Toyota’s goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. Construction is slated to be completed in late 2026. #SSOEsoutheast

There’s history woven into every chapter of this project. In 2022, what was once our vision for the Denmark Olar School District blossomed into a Beloved Community through Voorhees University, South Carolina’s first Historically Black College and University with a legacy dating back to 1897. The university's Becoming Beloved Community initiative includes several centers of excellence for community outreach and education continuity in the city—including one in our portfolio. A decade ago, we were entrusted with the architectural, engineering, and interior design for 86,000 SF of renovations and 75,000 SF of new construction on the Denmark Olar campus. This project streamlined facility maintenance and unified pre-K through 12th grade, honoring the district’s rich history and elevating the predominantly African-American student body. We aim to tell our story through our project photography (circa 2023). Learn more about the Becoming Beloved Community initiative here: https://bit.ly/4kbDj9x. #BlackHistoryMonth #SSOEsoutheast

SSOE's Milan Alinaghian, PE, Civil Engineer, will participate in a panel discussion at a ULI Nashville event tomorrow, February 25, at the Nashville Public Library. During this discussion, attendees will hear from ULI Nashville’s Pathways to Inclusion, a cohort whose mission is to promote the visibility and advancement of diverse communities in the real estate and land use industries. Milan, one of five panelists invited to showcase the work of the cohort and the R.E.D. Academy—launched by ULI Nashville’s partner organization, the Urban League of Middle Tennessee—brings expertise in entitlement, zoning, and site design processes. His skills have made him a valuable asset to clients, site selectors, and economic development teams working with cities across various states. #PressRelease #SSOEsoutheast

In honor of Engineers Week, we’re excited to spotlight some of our subject matter experts who’ve been featured in business journals across the U.S. this month. Last but certainly not least, we’ll traverse back to the Silicon Forest where Dana Brumley, PE, PMP, Principal Project Management Practice Group Lead, was recently highlighted in the Portland Business Journal: https://bit.ly/4k1rXVm. Dana, a professional chemical engineer and certified Project Management Professional?, has been successful in managing and engineering projects involving the design of advanced technology facilities and chemical process systems over her 27-year career. #SSOEportland #EngineersWeek

In honor of Engineers Week, we’re excited to spotlight some of our subject matter experts who’ve been featured in business journals across the U.S. this month. Today, we return to the Yellowhammer State where Zac Smith, PE, Civil Practice Group Lead, was recently highlighted in the Birmingham Business Journal: https://bit.ly/4kd5t3Y. With 23 years of experience and professional licensure in nine states, Zac’s extensive civil engineering portfolio includes site planning, highways and roadways, parking facilities, utility plans, permitting, and technical site evaluations for a diverse range of projects. #SSOEsoutheast #EngineersWeek