Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

In 2003, after nine years working at a civil engineering consulting company, alumnus Brad Cooper (BSCE ’89) wanted to gain independence in his career, so he decided to branch out along with Keven Crawford (BSCE ’90). They started Cooper Crawford & Associates, a company that provides civil engineering, land surveying, land planning, landscape architecture, and construction staking services. Throughout the past few years, the company has grown to employ 15 individuals.

“Business has been great,” says Cooper. “We specialize in private development, and the commercial sector has been very busy lately, too. I like the competition of going after work and gaining the trust of our clients.”
Cooper’s firm has worked for many clients in Iowa such as Oaks Development, Regency Homes, MidAmerica Group, Kimberley Development, R&R Realty, the state of Iowa, city of Norwalk, Des Moines Water Works, Wells Fargo, and Paradise Development. The company’s also worked on the South Maple Grove residential development and Silverstone development—the site of the 2007 Home Show Expo—in the Des Moines area.

Cooper says things are running smoothly overall. “I think that’s because we were able to hire a very competent staff right from the beginning,” he adds.

Cooper says the company plans to grow at a controlled pace in the Des Moines area, and also will pursue opening satellite offices in other growing Midwestern areas. “We’re always in the market for qualified professionals to supply the demand.”