Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

The story of Engineering Alliance began when four engineers—Doug Ernst (BSCE ’94), Dave Kapler (BSCE ’98), Patrick Kueter (BSCE ’94), and Nick Kuhn (BSCE ’94)—met each other at Iowa State University. After they graduated, they worked together at a consulting firm in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2003, the four started Engineering Alliance, Inc. (EAI), a company that provides engineering design and construction services for the public sector in four primary areas: airport engineering, bridges and structures, roads and highway, and traffic engineering.

“Starting this business has been a truly rewarding experience,” says Kapler.
In just a few years, EAI has grown to employ more than 30 employees in its Johnston and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offices.

“A pleasant surprise of the business has been the emergence of a unique company culture among the employees and with the company’s clients,” adds Kapler. “It’s an intangible you can’t really plan for.”

Of course, starting a new business came with a few challenges. One of the biggest initial challenges, says Ernst, was running the ‘business’ portion of the company—such as deciding on insurance programs and purchasing office supplies.

The founders also say the support they received from family and friends, and the initial opportunities clients provided were invaluable in making EAI a success.

“The goal of Engineering Alliance is to be the premier engineering firm for federal, state, and local clients,” says Kueter. “Whether the project involves reconstructing a block of sidewalk or designing and building major transportation infrastructure, we want to be the firm clients prefer to work with.”

Kueter adds that it’s also EAI’s goal to provide an outstanding culture and atmosphere, as well as exciting project and professional opportunities, for its employees. “To achieve our client goals we need to have the best employees as part of our team,” he says.

The company is well on its way to achieving its goals. In fact, EAI recently joined forces with Foth Companies, an engineering firm with 500 employees headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with offices in various U.S. cities.

“We’re excited about joining Foth Companies,” says Kuhn. “Our clients will have access to a broader range of technical services and our employees will benefit from tremendous professional opportunities.”

In addition to its founders, EAI employs several Iowa State alumni, including: Josh DeBower (BSCE ’06), Brad Hopkey (BSCE ’96), Scott Ingersoll (BSCE ’01, MSCE ’02), Adam Juel (BSCE ’01), Molly Long (BSCE ’98, MSCE ’00), Jon Resler (MSCE ’98), Eric Scott (BSCE ’05), Scott Sovers (BSCE ’99), and Ryan Staudt (BSCE ’99, MSCE ’02).