Company News
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the launch of one of the largest federal funding opportunities the fertilizer industry has seen in years. Through the new Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) program, USDA will invest $500 million in projects that expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and […]
Following the results of multiple employee surveys, VAA is a recipient of the following top workplace awards for 2026: USA Today’s Top Workplaces 2026 as well as a recipient of Cultural Excellence Awards in categories of Compensation & Benefits, Leadership, Purpose & Values, and Work-Life Flexibility Star Tribune’s Minnesota Top Workplaces 2026 Engineering.com Top Workplaces […]
Minneapolis, Minn. (May 22, 2026) – VAA is excited to share news of client success following the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s announcement of its FY25 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant award recipients. GROWMARK, The DeLong Co., and Conserv FS, all key stakeholders in the agriculture industry, have been awarded federal funding towards their respective projects following PIDP applications that were submitted in September 2025. $27.32 million […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]