VAA News
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 […]
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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 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 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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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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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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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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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’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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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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