People News

Brown and Caldwell names new managing director

Environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell announced Suad Cisic has joined the company as managing director of client services. The hire supports the firm’s strategy to expand its share of Los Angeles’s water and wastewater market.

A seasoned executive with over 30 years of engineering and construction consulting experience, Cisic has a proven track record of positioning for, capturing and delivering highly technical projects and programs. Throughout his career, he has successfully led the strategic growth of new geographies, markets, and client relationships both domestically and overseas. Notable projects include major water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, large-scale pump station and water conveyance system design and construction, and water reclamation and reuse implementation.

Brown and Caldwell has a rich history of delivering environmental projects to enhance Los Angeles communities. Cisic will build on this foundation and partner with municipal and private clients, aligning the firm’s technical solutions to help overcome complex challenges related to water scarcity, aging infrastructure and dependence on imported water supplies.

A California-licensed professional engineer, Cisic holds a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Zagreb (Croatia), a sanitary engineering diploma from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Holland), and a water and wastewater treatment plant operator certificate from the Fondation de L’eau (France).

Watts names new product manager

Steve Hocurscak has joined Watts as senior product manager, regulators and automatic control valves (ACVs). He will have overall responsibility for Watts Regulator and ACV product management, as well as for developing and executing new strategies focused on business growth.

Hocurscak brings with him to Watts extensive experience in product management for large product portfolios across several industrial verticals, the company noted. He worked previously in leadership level product and business management roles for valve companies, such as Metso and Neles.

Asahi/America hires industrial piping business development manager

Asahi/America is pleased to announce the addition of Josh Goldberg to its business development team. Josh joined Asahi/America in February as business development manager for industrial and environmental piping systems in the western United States.

Goldberg comes to Asahi/America with more than 20 years of polymer formulation and product development experience and 10 years in market analysis and technical product sales. He holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and master of science degree in polymer chemistry from University of Oregon. Goldberg, the company noted, will work closely with the company’s sales and engineering teams to further promote Asahi/America’s industrial piping product line across a variety of industries in the U.S.

Company News

ColeBreit Engineering acquires Axiom Engineers

Oregon-based ColeBreit Engineering announced its acquisition of and merger with California-based Axiom Engineers. The newly combined firm will be the second-largest, certified women-owned mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering and design firm in the Pacific Northwest with 50 employees, five west coast offices and a commitment to quality, integrity and expertise. The terms of the acquisition were formally completed on Dec. 31, 2021.

The alliance of these two highly compatible, family-tied firms is rooted in success and succession. Laura Breit, president and CEO of ColeBreit Engineering, is succeeding her father, Ray Cole, former president and CEO of Axiom Engineers for more than 40 years. Breit, who began her own mechanical practice almost 10 years ago, will lead the firm into its next chapter. Cole will step into the role of Principal Emeritus with a focus on mentoring the next generation of firm leadership.

Breit founded ColeBreit Engineering in 2013. Her vision of providing high-quality, hands-on and client-focused design and engineering services, combined with the company’s commitment to a positive culture for its team members, quickly grew the company from a two-person firm to a team of 17, and now to the 50-person combined firm that it is today. Axiom Engineers was founded in 1970, with the philosophy that the best solution can come from the most fundamental principles. The company has since grown and expanded its services and its offices across California. The combined firm will continue to operate on the principles of quality, integrity, and expertise, with an unwavering commitment to client and employee success.

To learn more about the ColeBreit Engineering and Axiom Engineers merger, visit https://www.colebreit.com/news.

Caleffi welcomes Harry Eklof & Associates

Caleffi North America has selected Harry Eklof & Associates to represent its complete catalog of products in Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, southern New Jersey and Virginia.

Harry Eklof & Associates has three locations, including a training facility located in Landover, Maryland. Distributors, contractors and engineers throughout the region can conveniently attend product demos, contractor certification classes and educational seminars. They also offer a full menu of virtual training opportunities.

“As a family-run business that was established in 1968, Harry Eklof & Associates is well positioned to lead Caleffi’s sales and training efforts in the Mid-Atlantic region. For nearly 55 years, they have had a strong focus on the contractor market segment, developing a loyal following by offering top-notch training throughout the region. Distributors are also well supported with Eklof’s three regional distribution centers,” said Roger Corrente, director of sales, Caleffi.

Aliaxis completes acquisition of Harco

Aliaxis SA, a global manufacturer enabling access to water and energy through inventive fluid management solutions, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Harco, a producer of fittings located in Virginia. Harco will join Aliaxis' North American IPEX business, thus further strengthening the company’s position in the United States, the company explained.

“As part of our Growth with Purpose strategy, North America is a priority growth market for Aliaxis," said Eric Olsen, CEO of Aliaxis. "Acquiring a well-established company in municipal, irrigation and agriculture end-markets allows us to offer an expanded product portfolio to a broader customer base in the U.S.”

“We are very happy to welcome more than 200 new colleagues," said Alex Mestres, divisional CEO for Aliaxis in the Americas. "This joining of two great companies provides us with an exciting opportunity to combine the strengths and experiences of both the IPEX and Harco teams to continue providing industry-leading customer service.”