Submitted by SCJ Alliance
Roundabouts. Master plans. Corridors. Parks. Commercial projects. Fish culverts. Since its founding in May 2006, SCJ Alliance has worked on 3,346 varied projects for public and private clients.
There’s a lot to reflect on after 15 years in business. “We’ve gone from eight people working on Costco folding tables as desks, to 123 folks in ten offices in Washington, Montana, and Colorado,” says Jean Carr, SCJ President and CEO. SCJ became a 100% employee-owned company in 2019.
SCJ specializes in civil engineering, transportation planning and design, environmental and urban planning, landscape architecture, and public outreach. Compared to the early days, projects are much more varied. Planning includes more stakeholders and considerations. Transportation design goes far beyond roadways and intersections, to include cable-propelled transit and an ever-expanding variety of multi-modal options.
“We have watched new terms develop – such as Transit-Oriented Design, and now Trail-Oriented Design,” says Eric Johnston, SCJ’s executive vice president who has led strategic initiatives. “These trends match our expertise and experience, as well as our team’s passions.” Eric adds, “I love seeing our culture embraced by staff … integrating business groups and offices and striving to turn every project into something of significance.”
The first year at SCJ there were three engineers, while today there are 38 engineers and another 32 individuals with professional designations from landscape architect to planner to soil scientist. Over the years the firm has earned 22 community and business awards for rapid growth, community involvement, and being a great place to work, and another three dozen awards for project work.
What will the next 15 years hold for SCJ? Senior Principal and original President Perry Shea forecasts, “If you ask me where our next office will be, I will say it all depends …do you have an idea and business opportunity to explore?” He then quips, “My second response will be, I’ve always wanted an office in Hawaii because the sun is good for the soul.”
Time will tell.
