127-year-old GW Jones & Sons Consulting Engineers, Inc. (GWJ), a Huntsville, Ala., engineering and surveying firm, has been acquired by Nashville-based Littlejohn Engineering Associates (LEA). Founded in 1886, GWJ has been a cornerstone in the growth and prosperity of Madison County and Northern Alabama. This acquisition will allow GWJ professionals to maintain their tradition of serving clients particularly in the transportation, aviation, industrial, municipal, and utility sectors.
The firm will continue to operate in its same downtown office under the name “GW Jones & Sons Consulting Engineers.” Out of respect for the rich legacy of participation in key infrastructure projects, the transition of the name to Littlejohn Engineering Associates will be gradual and not occur for approximately a year.
Mark Yokley, PE, LS, president of GW Jones and Sons, will continue his involvement as a special consultant during the transition to new office leadership. The entire GWJ staff will remain and will continue to respond to client’s needs while also transitioning leadership and management of the operation. Mr. Yokley spoke about his vision of the company moving forward. “We are extremely excited with this new relationship. While I will transition to other GW Jones family interests, the energy, breadth of markets and leadership of Littlejohn Engineering Associates will provide a sound platform for our clients and the community going forward. The more I got to know Jim Littlejohn, the more convinced I was that LEA’s culture and direction were a perfect fit for our staff and client interests. I really believe this was the right decision. A key factor was their commitment to continue the GWJ tradition of concentrating on our core services while at the same time drawing from LEA’s additional talents and resources to expand the services in the region.”
“Our firm has earned a solid reputation in each of the markets we serve. It is indeed a pleasure to be able to continue the rich legacy of GW Jones. Each organization has a high level of respect for the other and it is our desire to continue to serve the healthy north Alabama markets more effectively than ever before,” said Jim Littlejohn, LEA’s president.
In a simultaneous announcement LEA has hired Harry Wilson, PE, to serve as principal of the Huntsville office. Mr. Wilson is a career civil engineer with over 31 years of leadership and project management experience. For over 10 years he served as manager of the Huntsville office of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon. Prior to that, he was director of Engineering for the Huntsville - Madison County Airport Authority. Officials said, "Harry is a natural to lead the office. Not only is he an extremely well respected member of the community, he has a deep understanding of local issues on every level of Madison County and Northern Alabama."
“This is a great opportunity both professionally and personally. LEA is an exciting and forward thinking firm on the move. Together we will provide the focus and resources to this region which has tremendous growth possibilities. The opportunity to bring the talent and skill LEA has to Alabama will greatly benefit our region going forward,” Mr. Wilson said.
Mr. Littlejohn agreed that strengthening its presence in Northern Alabama was a logical step for the firm. “When we first discussed the possibilities with Mark Yokley last fall, it was evident that establishing a Huntsville office further demonstrates our commitment to the vital Northern Alabama region and allows us to expand our engineering relationship with a quality and reputable firm. The LEA Decatur office concentrates on environmental services, health and safety and industrial hygiene services and will remain in Decatur for closer proximity to its clients.”
Littlejohn Engineering Associates was established in 1989. The company has a combined staff of 120, including 68 professionals and has been a top 10 engineering firm for the last five years in Nashville. The firm offers services in surveying, civil, site development engineering, transportation, landscape architecture, urban planning, municipal and utility engineering, environmental engineering, industrial engineering and industrial hygiene and health and safety services. Littlejohn’s eight LEED AP professionals bring full sustainable design capabilities to clients in all sectors and regions it serves.LEA is headquartered in Nashville, with offices in Chattanooga; Knoxville; Tri-Cities, Tn.; Decatur, Ala.; Huntsville; Orlando; and Phoenix.