VAA News

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

April 11, 2025 / Comments Off on 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 […]

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VAA Earns Honors of 2025 Top Workplaces USA, Culture Excellence

April 4, 2025 / Comments Off on 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 […]

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VAA Mourns the Passing of Founder Dick Van Sickle

April 1, 2025 / Comments Off on 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 […]

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Six Promoted to Associate

April 1, 2025 / Comments Off on 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 […]

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VAA Secures Largest 2025 BUILD Grant in Illinois

March 24, 2025 / Comments Off on 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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Ross Fredrickson Named Senior Associate

March 6, 2025 / Comments Off on Ross Fredrickson Named Senior Associate

With great pleasure, VAA has named Senior Engineering Project Manager Ross Fredrickson as a Senior Associate. Having joined VAA in 2021 with 25 years of experience, Fredrickson is highly skilled in planning, project estimation, risk management and managing multi-disciplinary teams with an emphasis on industrial, agricultural and food projects. Fredrickson not only excels at solutions-driven […]

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Tina Frye Named Partner

March 4, 2025 / Comments Off on Tina Frye Named Partner

VAA is thrilled to announce that Tina Frye has been named a Partner in our growing firm. As Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations, she has overseen operations, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and administrative functions since joining VAA in 2021. With financial and operational leadership spanning 25 years, Frye is well […]

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VAA Helps Land Largest PIDP Grant in Illinois

November 21, 2024 / Comments Off on VAA Helps Land Largest PIDP Grant in Illinois

VAA’s expertise helps clients secure an over $38 million grant award.   Pymouth, Minn. (November 21, 2024) – The Maritime Administration announced Friday the recipients of the Port Infrastructure Development Program, or PIDP, grant funds for 2024.  In partnership with the Village of Hennepin, VAA is excited to share its success in securing the largest […]

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VAA Breaks Ground on New Recreation Center in Maple Lake

October 9, 2024 / Comments Off on VAA Breaks Ground on New Recreation Center in Maple Lake

In September, VAA broke ground on the True Friends Camp Courage new recreation center in Maple Lake, the facility set for opening in Spring 2026.  VAA will provide the architectural, structural, and civil engineering for the project, working alongside project partners McGough Construction and 45 North Group. Having outgrown the function and size of their […]

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VAA a Winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA

March 20, 2024 / Comments Off on VAA a Winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA

VAA is excited to announce it has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict […]

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