Author name: Harry Lien

VAA Headquarters Moving to New Minneapolis Office

Firm’s continued growth leads to larger space for office headquarters.  As our multidisciplinary engineering, planning, and design team continues to grow in size and capability, the need for a larger office to house our firm headquarters has followed.  VAA is close to finalizing the move to a larger space in the Minneapolis area. This will provide our team more room to meet, collaborate, and help design solutions for our clients and […]

2026 Promotions: Byrne Promoted to Senior Associate, Sundseth to Associate

2026 Promotions: Byrne Promoted to Senior Associate, Sundseth to Associate

Highlights:  Senior Structural Engineer Megan Bryne is promoted to Senior Associate  Senior Electrical Engineer Derrick Sundseth is promoted to Associate  VAA is excited to announce its promotions for 2026: Senior Structural Engineer Megan Bryne is promoted to Senior Associate and Senior Electrical Engineer Derrick Sundseth is promoted to Associate.  While they differentiate in discipline, experiences, and skillset, Bryne and Sundseth have made

Rob Duerksen to Lead VAA Presence in Canada

VAA has tapped F. Robert (Rob) Duerksen, P. Eng, to lead and manage the firm’s growing Canadian operation. The move is an intentional step in VAA’s commitment to better serve clients invested in the exciting growth of many Canadian industries. About Rob Duerksen  Duerksen joins VAA with decades of experience in senior construction and design

VAA Expands Presence in Lower Mississippi & Gulf Region

National engineering firm’s new office in New Orleans to serve as regional hub.  Plymouth, Minn. (May 22, 2025) – Minnesota-based VAA, a multidisciplinary engineering, planning and design firm, is strengthening its presence in the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf region including the establishment of a new office in New Orleans. With numerous clients already in

Major Win for U.S. Maritime Infrastructure and Private Investment

A recent executive order from the current presidential administration focuses on revitalizing the U.S. maritime industry and invokes revolutionary opportunities for stakeholders vested in inland river ports and infrastructure projects. The Apr. 9 order promotes favorable conditions, such as following: Expanded use of private capital to upgrade and expand port infrastructure. Maritime Prosperity Zones—modeled after

VAA Earns Honors of 2025 Top Workplaces USA, Culture Excellence

VAA has received the 2025 Top Workplaces Award and 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award(s) for Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, and Leadership. These nationally recognized honors were earned in previous years, demonstrating VAA’s ongoing commitment towards fostering a workplace empowered to do exceptional work while caring for one another and our clients. Winners of

VAA Mourns the Passing of Founder Dick Van Sickle

VAA mourns the passing of VAA founder and visionary, Dick Van Sickle. Richard Van Sickle (Dick) co-founded Van Sickle, Allen and Associates (later known as VAA) in 1978 alongside Chuck Allen. Dick set in place the blueprint that will forever guide VAA. He leaves behind an immeasurable impact that those who knew him cannot find

Six Promoted to Associate

Among the exciting developments at VAA in 2025 are the promotions of Patrick Arndt, Scott Bertucci, Drew Burton, Jon Laine, Tina Vath and Jennifer Vecellio to Associate. Each of the six has contributed their unique talents and significant skills to the culture and growth of VAA and will continue to positively influence the direction of

VAA Secures Largest 2025 BUILD Grant in Illinois

City of Galesburg, IL, to receive $25 million for new grain export facility.   Plymouth, Minn. (March 24, 2025) – Following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement of its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) – formerly known as RAISE – grant recipients for 2025, VAA is excited to share its success in

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