HWA GeoSciences voluntarily gave up its status as a minority owned business this year, opting for increased flexibility in ownership and management. While remaining an important part of the company's operations and management, HWA founder Sa Hong decided to make more stock available for other employees. The availability of stock and increased opportunity to participate in company management is being used to recruit additional expertise and experience to the company.

HWA, which was founded in 1978, specializes in geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, geo-environmental services, pavement technology/management and materials testing.

Mirroring the strong economy in the Pacific Northwest, HWA's staff has grown by 10 percent in the this past year to a total of 40 employees. Growth has been most pronounced in the firm's Portland office, which now has staff of five. The firm's growth in revenues is also on par with the region's economic conditions, with company earnings about 15 percent above those of last year.

The firm has been traditionally strong in the public sector, particularly in the transportation and water/wastewater arenas. The company provided geotechnical services for the Denny Way/Lake Union Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project in Seattle. This project consists of five large diameter tunnels (72-inch to 168-inch diameter pipe) with links between 350 feet and 6,300 feet in length.

The firm has also had major involvement with Sound Transit. The firm recently completed geotechnical studies in support of environmental impact statements for the Everett to Seattle Commuter Rail and the Northgate to SeaTac Light Rail, as well as geotechnical and environmental investigations for several commuter and light rail stations. In addition to several road improvement projects, HWA was also recently selected by both Sound Transit and the Washington State Department of Transportation to provide on-call geotechnical services.

Principal Ralph Boirum expects the continuing need for improvements in infrastructure, particularly in transportation and wastewater treatment and conveyance, to fuel a strong building and construction economy for the next few years.