As spring turns to summer here in the Southwest, we are busy working on the next issue of ENR Southwest, which will present the results of our Top Design Firms survey — a yearly snapshot of the financial performance of regional firms including the niches in which they perform their work. More than 60 firms participated in the survey this year, and targeted lists will provide further information on who is performing what type of work and where.

And, as always, the May print issue of ENR Southwest will also include a profile on the Design Firm of the Year. This year’s honoree is AZTEC Engineering of Phoenix, Ariz.. The regional editors selected AZTEC Engineering because of their performance, strength within the Arizona market, and that they nearly doubled their revenue in 2014.

AZTEC is a Phoenix-based, multi-discipline engineering and environmental consulting firm that has solidified itself as a “go-to” firm for transportation projects in Arizona. Established in 1992, AZTEC has grown from a two-person, DBE firm, into a firm that assists public and private clients to plan, develop, design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects around the United States. In 2006, AZTEC became part of TYPSA Group, an international firm.

But the firm is much more than just a transportation engineering firm, with extensive experience in landscape architecture and civil engineering.

Past achievements also include several projects that garnered regional and national honors, including ENR Southwest Best Landscape Urban Development project in 2014, and Best Transportation project in 2011. The firm also placed one staff member as a Top 20 Under 40 for ENR Southwest.

According to the firm, the most important part of their success is obviously the services they provide, but also a commitment to building long-term client relationships.

“The skills, talents, and knowledge of our people are the real value in the services we provide.”

We’ll have much more on AZTEC Engineering and a perspective from other design firms on their viewpoint on current business conditions. If you would like to contribute, please email me at john.guzzon@construction.com