ACEC/Michigan honors OHM Advisors and Williams & Works as 2026 firms of the Year. By Kathy VanZee FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2026. Lansing, MI - The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/Michigan) recognized two standout member firms with its prestigious 2026 Firm of the Year awards during the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on March 7 at The Fillmore Detroit. The awards honor firms that demonstrate exceptional leadership in professional practice, industry involvement, and community service. The Firm of the Year program is ACEC/Michigan's highest organizational honor and the only award that recognizes firms for advancing both the business of engineering and the broader profession. Selection is based on a firm's commitment to progressive management practices, leadership in ACEC/Michigan initiatives, and meaningful contributions to communities across the state. ACEC/Michigan Large Firm of the Year: OHM Advisors OHM Advisors, headquartered in Livonia, earned the Large Firm of the Year award for its extensive leadership at the state and national levels. The firm's contributions include: * National and state leadership roles, with CEO Jon Kramer serving as Michigan's National Director and Alumni Committee Chair, and Firm Principal Matt Parks leading the Water/Wastewater Committee. * Strengthening industry collaboration, including active involvement in the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards and the Transportation Committee, supporting coordination with MDOT. * Commitment to mentorship and industry growth, demonstrated through participation in the MDOT Mentor-Protégé Program and support for emerging firms. * Community engagement and volunteerism, supported by a firmwide culture of service and a Volunteer Service Leave Program. * Advocacy for infrastructure and engineering policy, with firm leaders participating in state legislative events and national summits. * Investment in future talent, including scholarships, internships, K-12 partnerships, and the innovative GIS Pathways Program. Jon Kramer also is an instructor on leadership for the Emerging Leader's Program. * Recognition for technical excellence, including multiple project awards and maintaining Esri Gold Partner status. Through leadership, advocacy, and a sustained commitment to developing the next generation of professionals, OHM Advisors exemplifies the values of ACEC/Michigan. ACEC/Michigan Small Firm of the Year: Williams & Works Williams & Works of Grand Rapids was honored as the Small Firm of the Year for its leadership, innovation, and service to both the profession and the community. Highlights include: * Active engagement in ACEC/Michigan governance, with Nathan Breese serving as an Observer on the Board of Directors and Brandon Mieras as a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program. Brandon Mieras has contributed for many years having served as chair of the ACEC/USDA RD/EGLE/MEDC Committee. * Advocacy for the engineering profession, including legislative outreach and client education on critical funding opportunities and technical engineering issues. * Technical innovation, most notably presenting Michigan's first Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) plant and collaborating with EGLE on groundwater management and well construction policy discussions. * Recognition for project excellence, including an Honorable Conceptor Award for the Cutler Road Bridge and additional recognition for the Greenville wastewater project. * Deep community involvement, from sponsoring local events and supporting scholarships to participating in volunteer efforts such as the Amway Riverbank Run and mentoring students through internships and the MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Contest. Williams & Works demonstrates how small firms can drive meaningful impact through leadership, innovation, and community commitment. Information about OHM Advisors, Williams & Works, and other ACEC/Michigan member firms is available at www.acecmi.org. About ACEC/Michigan The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan is the voice of Michigan's engineering industry. Council members - numbering over 100 firms throughout the state - are engaged in a wide range of engineering/architectural/surveying works that propel the state's economy and enhance and safeguard Michigan's quality of life. These works allow people to drink clean water, enjoy a healthy life, take advantage of new technologies, and travel safely and efficiently. The Council's mission is to contribute to Michigan's prosperity and welfare by advancing the business interests of member firms.

OHM Advisors announces promotion of Kelly Jackson to Vice President of Human Resources. Jackson brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. OHM Advisors has promoted longtime team member Kelly Jackson to Vice President of Human Resources. As Vice President, Kelly will align our talent strategy with our long-term vision and maintain the firm's value proposition across a multi-state workforce. Kelly has been instrumental in scaling operations as OHM Advisors has grown from a single office to more than 800 professionals in numerous states. She has built robust benefit programs, championed workplace culture initiatives, developed training programs for team members at all levels, and provided leadership coaching and mentoring to many. In 2022, Kelly was honored by Crain's Detroit Business with an "Excellence in HR" award. "Under Kelly's leadership, OHM has retained and recruited exceptional talent - more than 185 individuals in the past year," said Jon Kramer, President of OHM Advisors. "We know she will be effective in managing the firm's evolving staffing needs and supporting the firm's long-term vision for growth." More about Kelly: We asked Kelly about her new role, what she's learned along the way, and her advice for professionals at any stage: Looking ahead, what opportunities are you most excited about? As OHM Advisors continues to grow and evolve, I'm looking forward to contributing to the trajectory of the firm in an even more impactful way. As I get closer to the latter portion of my career, I'm thinking more about my legacy and how I can give back. I'm excited about the opportunities my new role will create for my immediate team to spread their wings and develop their own paths in support of the firm's growth. I also want to continue to do my part to make OHM Advisors a place where employees feel engaged, recognized, and empowered to be their authentic selves and to contribute diverse perspectives. What have you learned about leadership over the past three decades? You can't do it all! Hire people who complement you, and work to understand and utilize their strengths. What advice would you offer to someone navigating their career journey? I tell everyone that it is important to find someone who will support and advocate for them, both inside and outside of their organization. Many people have helped me throughout my career - and that's been a game changer. But I have also consistently advocated for myself. I don't let self-imposed fears, which we all have, stop me from trying something new or challenging. When things haven't worked out, I've tried not to be too hard on myself, and I tell others to give themselves some grace. I think this is important for people who may not have always seen a clear path to the leadership table to remember. Congratulations to Kelly on her significant achievement! About OHM Advisors OHM Advisors is the community advancement firm, delivering award-winning work across the architecture, engineering and planning spheres. Founded in 1962, we believe in the power of multidisciplinary teamwork to find ideas that aren't just different - they are better. Recognized as an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm, our 800+ person team operates across multiple states throughout the U.S., partnering with leaders at all government levels, school districts, developers, universities and private companies to create great places for people.

OHM Advisors, a Livonia-based architecture, engineering, and planning firm, has acquired THY Inc. in Memphis, Tenn., and Griner Engineering based in St. Petersburg, Fla.