Page 34 - Athens New Comers Guide 2022

BUSINESS FEATURE

A NEW KIND DESIGN FIRM
OF

J on Williams talks about the influences members with five core departments in development professionals, etc. I like to
think that it is exactly that dedication to the
that led him to build a business on the
six offices that serve clients around the
principles of doing the right thing and country. I’m fortunate and humbled to people, both in and outside of our offices,
leaving things better than they were. say some of my first clients still work that distinguishes us from other firms.
with us today.
How did W&A Engineering begin? Tell Why are you in this business? What is
us about its origins. Athens also was primed for a new kind your business’ mission?
I was introduced to the world of business of design firm—one able to offer the Simply put, we build better communities
at a young age when I began working in my community a more holistic array of services because our employees, clients, and
father’s grocery store in Alma, Georgia. In to better serve Northeast Georgia’s communities deserve the best. It is with
this small, rural South Georgia town, the growing communities. these simple principles in mind that
community requests for grocery donations we do business at W&A. We want W&A
were constant, so there were never-ending What distinguishes your business Engineering to be the best place to work
opportunities to make a difference. My dad from others? and the best team to work with – period.
always gave his time, money, and resources I built W&A Engineering on the very
generously. Encouraged by the dedication same principles my father used to build Why is doing business in
to service driving his entrepreneurial spirit, his business. At W&A, we rely on our
I knew even in the seventh grade that I fundamental principles of doing the right Athens special?
wanted to one day start my own business. thing and leaving things better than we After earning my degree from University
found them to drive our daily practices. of Georgia, I saw how special Athens
I jumped in with both feet at 26 years By focusing on the professional and really was. Its dedication to innovation,
old and opened my own firm in 1999. personal needs of our staff, by empowering knowledge, and generations of talented
I searched for the best professionals them to perform at their finest, and by professionals paved the way for young
to make that dream a reality. W&A encouraging even their smallest victories, entrepreneurs. There was an opportunity
Engineering started with one office in we are creating and investing in the next to engineer partnerships and build
Watkinsville and has grown into a multi- generations of engineers, land planners, connections with the community, just like
disciplined firm with more than 115 team land surveyors, designers, marketers, in my hometown.

30 WB&A Engineering Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • (706) 549-6800