How Leadership and Commitment to Rural Communities are Shaping the Future of Engineering Services

Brosz Engineering
Written by Vicki Damon

Brosz Engineering, under the leadership of President and CEO Gary Brennan, has established itself as a trusted partner for small communities and political subdivisions across the Dakotas and beyond. From civil engineering to surveying, Brosz Engineering specializes in offering a range of services tailored to the unique needs of its clients.

The services offered by Brosz Engineering range from civil engineering to surveying, the latter being a critical component of many engineering projects. The firm’s diverse clientele spans counties, municipalities, energy clients, and even some tribal entities, primarily in transportation-related work. Brosz Engineering also provides both preliminary engineering and construction engineering services for the Department of Transportation and performs construction staking for contractors.

When asked about how customers benefit from working with Brosz Engineering, Brennan reflects on the company’s deep connection to small towns and rural areas. “We understand our clients well just because we’re in rural areas and we work for rural clients,” he says. “Most of our offices are located in a small town, and we work for a lot of the smaller communities where we reside. So, understanding what their needs are is one of the benefits that we can bring to them.”

This close-knit connection with smaller communities is central to Brosz Engineering’s mission. Many larger firms might overlook these smaller municipalities, feeling that the earning potential isn’t worth their time, but Brosz Engineering thrives in this niche, delivering highly personalized service to underserved clients. As Brennan puts it, “We serve the underserved communities. These are the ones that we serve well.”

Brosz Engineering is not just about providing excellent service to clients; it’s also about fostering a culture of dedication and teamwork among its employees. The company currently employs 114 people, with 110 working full-time. During peak summer months, that number can grow to 130 as the company brings in additional interns.

Indeed, Brennan attributes the company’s success to its dedicated workforce, which is motivated not only by company loyalty but also by a genuine desire to serve clients. “We have a highly dedicated staff,” he says. “They’re not just dedicated to the company but dedicated to our clients. Our people go above and beyond to provide the best customer service possible.”

This strong sense of teamwork is an essential part of Brosz Engineering’s culture. As Brennan explains, “We operate as a larger family within the company. Even though we work hard, we stress the importance of balancing work and life. We encourage our team to take time off to spend with their families, and we provide full-family health insurance, including HSA contributions to cover medical expenses.”

Brosz Engineering also places a strong emphasis on mentorship and skill development. When Gary Brennan took over as President, he recognized that there was a need for more structured mentorship within the company. This led to the implementation of the company’s new Project Management Program, which began in 2024. “We embarked on a strategic planning process, and one of our top initiatives was training and mentoring our staff. We kicked off our Project Management Program, starting with PMP 101, which focuses on the fundamentals of project management: finance, client development, customer service, and contracting,” he explains.

This program is designed not only to teach the technical aspects of project management but also to help employees develop personally and professionally. “We included strengths testing and personality training so employees can better understand themselves and how to interact with others,” says Brennan. “We also tasked them with working with their supervisors to identify additional training needs.”

The focus on internal growth is clear: by building up the skills of its employees, Brosz Engineering aims to foster an environment where project managers are equipped to deliver projects successfully, on time, and within budget.

Brosz Engineering primarily operates in the Dakotas, covering much of South Dakota and parts of North Dakota. In fact, the company works with half of the 64 counties of South Dakota and serves about two-thirds of the state’s land mass. The company has also extended its reach into southeastern Montana and has recently opened a satellite office there.

Despite its already substantial presence, Brosz Engineering is looking to grow further. “We’re always eager to expand, and right now we’re focused on growth internally,” Brennan shares. “Once we’ve developed our internal capabilities, we’re looking to expand geographically, potentially moving into Nebraska and exploring new areas.”

Beyond expanding into new regions, the team is also considering branching out into other fields. “We’re thinking about expanding into electrical engineering in the future. While that may not happen immediately, it’s something we would like to explore.”

In today’s rapidly changing world, technology plays a vital role in every industry, and engineering is certainly no exception. Brosz Engineering is staying ahead of the curve by adopting new technologies that improve efficiency and accuracy, particularly in surveying. “Technology is impacting our industry in many ways,” says Brennan. “Drones, for example, are revolutionizing the way we collect data. We’ve added several drones to our fleet, including LIDAR drones, which provide more accurate survey data, especially in dense vegetation.”

These technological advancements allow Brosz Engineering to complete projects faster and with greater precision. “We’ve upgraded our survey equipment, and the use of drones has sped up our processes. We can collect data quicker, which means we can handle more projects with the same number of employees.”

Despite these advances, Brennan acknowledges the challenges posed by new technology. “It’s not just about adopting new tools; the workforce issue is a real challenge. It’s something that’s affecting every industry, not just ours. But with technology, we’re able to do more with less, which is crucial for staying competitive.”

Over the years, Brosz Engineering has garnered industry recognition for its outstanding work. One notable achievement was winning an Engineering Excellence Award from the North Dakota chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). The award-winning project involved a unique collaboration between multiple communities to combine resources for a large-scale construction project. “We worked with four different entities to put together a joint powers agreement to make a project more cost-effective. By combining the work of several communities, we were able to get more competitive bids, which allowed us to complete about twice as much work for the same budget.”

This project exemplifies Brosz Engineering’s commitment to creativity and collaboration in solving problems for its clients. It’s a testament to the company’s ability to deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations.

As Brosz Engineering moves forward, Gary Brennan remains optimistic about the future. The company’s dedication to customer service, employee development, and technological innovation positions it well for continued success. “Our vision is to be the engineering firm of choice for our clients, communities, and employees,” he says. “We want to keep building on that foundation and grow as a company while staying true to the values that have helped us succeed.”

Whether it’s expanding into new markets, adopting new technologies, or continuing to foster a strong company culture, Brosz Engineering is committed to its mission of serving its communities with integrity and excellence. The future looks bright, and the company’s ongoing efforts to innovate and grow will undoubtedly keep it at the forefront of the engineering industry. Brosz Engineering is not only ensuring its success but also laying a strong foundation for future generations of engineers. Its focus on providing excellent service to underserved communities, coupled with its strategic expansion plans, makes Brosz Engineering a company to watch in the coming years.

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