While last year was another tough one for the A/E/C industry, Albany-based CHA still managed to boost its 2011 regional sales by 42% to $81 million. That allowed the multi-disciplined engineering firm to notch up seven places this year to No. 9 in ENR New York’s Top Design Firms ranking. This is the second consecutive year that the firm jumped a few notches in the rankings, which are based on the regional revenue of firms in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
 
But revenue alone is not enough to sway the votes of ENR regional editors whose job it is to choose the tristate’s Design Firm of the Year. Candidates must also score high on sustainability and community service.
 
With a staff of 725 and 30 offices, CHA stepped up to the plate on those criteria as well. The company is actively involved in a slew of community outreach initiatives and runs a detailed internal sustainability program aimed at reducing waste generation and its carbon footprint.
 
Taking all of those factors into consideration, the editors chose CHA as the Design Firm of the Year for the tristate region. 
 
Look for more about this firm -- including the types of projects it focuses on, the other awards it has won and acquisitions made in recent years – in our May 7th issue. This issue will also feature information about the top-100 firms that responded to our Top Design Firms survey.

In the meantime, congratulations CHA!