Aspect Consulting
Specialty: Environmental remediation, water resources, earth science engineering, geotechnical/engineering technology
Management: Tim Flynn, president; Doug Hillman, operations manager; Lori Herman, principal hydrogeologist
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: Bainbridge Island
2006 revenues: $5 million
Projected 2007 revenues: $5.5 million
Current projects: Barbee Mill/Port Quendal; Olympic Sculpture Park; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation site at Seattle Center; ASR feasibility studies in Goldendale and Kennewick; Pritchard Park on Bainbridge Island; Sound Transit light rail
Photo courtesy of Aspect Consulting Aspect Consulting integrated barrier caps, soil cover and moisture-retentive plantings into Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park. The site was a former fuel transfer and distribution facility. |
A slowdown in the real estate market hasn’t done much to affect Aspect Consulting.
“We haven’t seen much impact except for some local geotechnical work,” said President Tim Flynn.
With plenty of work in the pipeline — including public projects that have already received funding — the firm expects the good times to keep rolling.
“This year has been very strong,” Flynn said.
Expansion plans
Aspect, based on Bainbridge Island, will double the square footage of its Seattle office in August when it moves to a new location. The staff of 40 is expected to grow in the next year, too. The firm is considering new outposts in Eastern Washington and the Southwest.
One prize a larger staff could bring is the capacity to pursue federal contracts. For example, despite its proximity, the firm hasn’t been able to seek work at nearby naval facilities.
“Trying to tap into the federal government market is tough,” Flynn said. “We’re not large enough to pursue the large contracts, but too large for small-business set-asides.”
Public work typically accounts for only about 30 percent of the firm’s projects.
Water is booming
While environmental remediation accounts for a large share of the business — recent high-profile projects have included Barbee Mill/Port Quendal and the Olympic Sculpture Park — water resources management is an area that’s growing rapidly for the firm.
Population growth, development and diminishing snowpack levels are putting a strain on water supplies and stream flows. More utilities and municipalities are looking for ways to diversify their water resources and storage options, including the use of reclaimed water, Flynn said.
Aspect also assists clients seeking water supply rights. A recent project involved securing rights for Chateau Ste. Michele’s new Col Solare winery on Red Mountain in Benton City, near the Tri-Cities.
Though the science and regulatory hurdles can sometimes pose challenges, the firm’s more pressing problem is recruiting.
“We’re happy with the (recent) hires we’ve made,” Flynn said, “but we’re looking to hire additional people. That’s probably our biggest constraint — finding qualified staff to bring on.”