POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 25, 2013) – The Chazen Companies, a leading provider of engineering, land surveying, environmental, planning, and landscape architecture services, today announced that it has again expanded its ownership with the addition of five new Principals and Associates. The new Principals are Lauren Gillett, PHR, Chris Round, AICP, and Russell Urban-Mead, CPG. The new Associates are Eric Johnson, P.E., and Sean Doty, P.E.
The five new shareholders have a wide range of experience and responsibility within the company. Ms. Gillett joined Chazen in 2006 and is Vice President of Human Resources. Mr. Round started with the company in 2004 and is Vice President of Planning Services. Mr. Urban-Mead joined the firm in 1994 and has risen to become Vice President of Environmental Services. Mr. Johnson has been with Chazen since 2005 and is Director of Municipal Services in the company’s Capital District (Troy) office. Mr. Doty also joined the company in 2005 and is a Senior Project Engineer.
For the first time in its history, and as a result of recent changes in New York State law with respect to ownership of certain professional corporations, Chazen is able to offer ownership to individuals who are not licensed professionals in the State. Prior to January 2012, only engineers, land surveyors, architects and landscape architects were permitted to be shareholders in their professional corporations. With the change in law, employees not licensed in any of these professions and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are now allowed to collectively own up to 25% of the shares of a professional corporation. Earlier this year, Chazen implemented an ESOP for the benefit of its employees.
“Each of our new Principals and Associates has demonstrated the leadership, values and commitment worthy of being an owner in our firm,” said Chazen’s President, Mark Kastner, P.E. “They have contributed greatly to the company’s success through their hard work, dedicated client service and technical expertise. They join the next generation of Chazen’s future leaders who will help take the firm to entirely new levels. It is a pleasure to welcome them as new Principals and Associates.”
In addition to the five new Principals and Associates, Chazen’s ownership includes Richard Chazen, P.E., Daniel Stone, P.E., Mark Kastner, P.E., Steven Alex, L.S., Joseph Lanaro, P.E., James Connors, P.E., Roger Keating, P.E., Christopher Lapine, P.E., Peter Romano, P.E., James “Andy” Rymph, RLA, and the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Chazen’s Senior Principals, Richard Chazen, P.E. and Daniel Stone, P.E., added, “Chazen is truly a generational company.” Richard’s father, Milton Chazen, founded The Chazen Companies in 1947, and turned control of the firm over to Chazen and Stone in the mid-1980’s. “We are very pleased to continue the tradition started by Milton, in which ownership of Chazen remains within the firm and passes from one generation of owners to the next. We congratulate these five individuals on becoming shareholders in our firm, and we are confident that Chazen will be in good hands for many years to come.”
About The Chazen Companies:
Founded over 65 years ago, The Chazen Companies is a full-service firm offering engineering, land surveying, environmental, planning, and landscape architecture services. With over 100 employees, Chazen’s professional staff includes more than 40 licensed or certified employees and 20 LEED® Accredited Professionals. Chazen serves a diverse range of clients, including land developers, municipalities, healthcare and educational institutions, and private industries. The company is headquartered in Poughkeepsie with offices in Troy and Queensbury. For more information on The Chazen Companies, visit chazencompanies.com.
