Chicago-based CTLGroup, a consulting and testing firm, expanded with an Austin office. Also an engineering and materials consulting firm, its new Southwest hub will serve clients in five markets: building and facilities, energy and resources, litigation and insurance, materials and products, and transportation.

The addition continues a growth trend, CEO Jeff Garrett, tells Texas Construction. CTLGroup’s Wash., D.C., office recently moved to a larger location and added two new principals. It expanded consulting services with a new geotechnical services practice.

“We have a lot of projects in Texas,” Garrett says. “We have handled litigation and work for the city of Austin and the airport authority. We have clients across the Southwest.”

Toy S. Poole is now the senior principal scientist in the Austin office. Poole comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He serves on the international board of directors for the American Society of Testing and Materials.

CTLGroup has plans to grow the Texas office, Garrett says. CTL will be on the lookout for engineers, especially those with a specialty in cement materials, material science and structural/civil, he adds.