Civil & Environmental Consultants acquires OKC-based solid waste engineering firm

Pittsburgh-based engineering consultancy Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. has acquired Oklahoma City-based Shepherd Engineering Design Company – a specialist in solid waste engineering. The acquisition expands CEC’s capabilities in Oklahoma, where it recently acquired real estate and surveying consultancy KBGE.

Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. (CEC) is a design and engineering consultancy with expertise in the areas of civil engineering, environmental engineering and sciences, ecological sciences, air quality, surveying, waste management, and water resources. The firm serves clients in the manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, power, the public sector, real estate, and solid waste industries. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, CEC has 23 offices across the United States.

Last week, the firm acquired Oklahoma City-based civil and solid waste engineering firm Shepherd Engineering Design Company (SEDCo). The addition is the next step in CEC’s plan to expand both its capabilities and physical presence in the US South and Midwest.

"This acquisition is part of CEC's ongoing strategy and commitment to grow and diversify the Oklahoma City office," commented Dean A. Koleada, P.E., CEC principal and Oklahoma City office lead. "Welcoming the talented professionals and technicians from SEDCo allows us to add solid waste services, such as engineering, design, and permitting for transfer stations and landfills, to our offerings."The deal follows CEC’s March 2018 acquisition of engineering firm KBGE, whose offices in Oklahoma City and Austin were added to the firm’s roster. The addition of SEDCo adds waste management expertise to KBGE’s real estate development and land surveying service offerings. SEDCo’s staff will relocate to CEC’s Oklahoma City office, formerly that of KBGE.

Founded in 2004, SEDCo employs a crack staff of engineers, designers, technicians, and inspectors. The firm has completed engineering work across the US, including in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii.

SEDCo founder Jeffrey A. Shepherd joins CEC as principal and waste management practice lead at the OKC office. Shepherd has almost three decades of experience as a solid waste engineer and consultant, and oversaw the successful growth and operation of his namesake firm since its founding 14 years ago.

"Transitioning our business to CEC will enable the continued expansion of our practice," said Shepherd. "CEC's diverse offerings will allow my team to provide a wider range of services to our solid waste clients on a national level. We're proud to build on our company's work from the past 14 years as we grow with CEC."

Having previously partnered with the acquired firm, CEC was attracted to SEDCo’s high-level work in the waste management industry. Recently, SEDCo completed a Construction Quality Assurance project for the WCA Waste Corporation at the Northeast C&D Landfill in Spencer, Oklahoma. The firm is currently supporting Oklahoman solid waste company Central Disposal in the expansion of their landfill capacity.

CEC, however, is no slouch in the solid waste engineering sphere itself. The firm was ranked #7 on Engineering News-Record's 2018 list of the top firms in Solid Waste. The engineering consultancy was also #115 on the publication's list of the Top 500 Design Firms of 2018.