Office with Charleston Presence Makes Acquisitions


GAI acquires two companies, expands Pittsburgh office and promotes senior staff

January 5, 2007 - Exciting growth is planned in 2007 for local engineering firm GAI Consultants, Inc., (GAI), with major acquisitions in Philadelphia, Pa., and Orlando, Fla., that will broaden the company's already extensive list of clients and services along with the expansion of its Pittsburgh, Pa., facility.

With an office also located in Charleston, W.Va., this acquisition of both Valley Forge Laboratories, Inc. (VFL), in Philadelphia as well as Hartman Consulting and Design (HCD) in Orlando, will allow GAI to offer more diversified services in materials testing, water resources studies, and management consulting, to name a few. VFL and HCD together will add about 55 new employees to GAI's 500+ person staff. VFL's and HCD's offices are located near GAI's existing Philadelphia and Orlando offices.

Founded in 1967, VFL offers a wide range of services, including geotechnical engineering; construction inspection; laboratory testing and analysis; transportation and traffic engineering; environmental engineering - noise studies/design; and research and special studies.
HCD specializes in environmental engineering and management consulting with particular engineering emphasis in water resources, wastewater, reclaimed water and stormwater reuse projects. Their management consulting services include utility valuation, expert witness testimony, utility rate studies, bonds and finance, certified appraising and utility creation and certification.

Additionally, a groundbreaking will occur in January 2007 on GAI's new 24,000-square-foot office building adjacent to GAI's existing 85,000-square-foot main office building at the Waterfront in Pittsburgh. The additional space is needed to accommodate the continued strong staff growth in this region.

"We are all excited about our growth opportunities and adding the professional expertise of HCD and VFL to GAI's organization. Both firms have long-standing, impressive, professional reputations and cultures similar to GAI's. 2007 will be a great year for GAI to grow, with continued focus on serving our clients' needs," says Gary DeJidas, P.E., President/CEO of GAI.
Accompanying the acquisitions and building expansion are GAI senior staff promotions including a new Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President Rusty J. Sievers, P.E.. With more than 39 years experience in planning, design, and construction of transportation-related and site development areas, Mr. Sievers will oversee GAI's expanding technical operations, which includes eight offices throughout the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast United States.

"In my 16 years working for GAI, I have always believed in GAI's vision of quality work, client satisfaction and an efficient, professional and effective working atmosphere. As COO, I hope to do my best to uphold this vision for our clients and our staff," Sievers said.
Other promotions to accommodate the company's growth include Executive Vice President Larry Dodds, P.E., P.L.S., who will serve as one of the company's Senior Advisor, and Vice President Richard A. Cima, P.E., who will serve as the Orlando office Managing Officer.
Established in 1958, GAI Consultants, Inc. (GAI) is a multi-disciplined professional engineering, planning, environmental, and construction services firm serving clients throughout the Eastern United States, Southeast and Midwest. GAI offices are located in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Orlando, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Charleston, W.Va.; Richmond, Va. and Florence, Ky. For more information, visit www.gaiconsultants.com. ###