In its continuing mission to reward outstanding performance and contributions to its growth, V3 Companies has named eight employees as new shareholders.
“One of our key core values is Dedication to Employees,” said Rob Petroelje, V3’s president and CEO. “When employees are equally dedicated to V3, we relish the opportunity to recognize that by asking them to join us as owners.”
The new group of shareholders brings the number of V3 owners to 53, representing more than one-quarter of the company’s staff. Employees are invited to become shareholders based on their contributions to company and practice area leadership, technical expertise and client service. “This new group of shareholders is a sterling representation of that excellence,” Petroelje said. “We believe strongly in a broad-based, diversified ownership and are fortunate to have such high caliber individuals join the ranks of ownership.”
Three of those new owners come from V3’s Construction Group, which specializes in construction of site infrastructure and includes in-house trade contracting of earthwork, utility installation and ecological restoration.
One of the leaders of that practice area is Andy Graf, Field Operations Director. He is instrumental in executing all field work by coordinating and supervising personnel, allocating heavy equipment, and providing quality control and assurance. “Projects consume tens of thousands of dollars of labor and equipment each day,” said Mike Famiglietti, Construction Group Director. “And Andy is a key to our success,” he added, also highlighting the value Andy brings in analyzing construction strategies and assisting with construction bids.
Another major contributor to the Construction Group’s bidding success is Tom Foster, Senior Estimator. “His ability to analyze a project on paper and translate that to cost of labor, materials, and equipment is critical to our success,” Famiglietti said. “It’s one thing to estimate a project, but to have to stand behind that estimate by building the project takes tremendous talent.” Tom also brings value by providing an expert’s insight on estimating construction improvement costs and evaluating design approaches for constructability. “The value of his expertise benefits the entire V3 organization,” Famiglietti added.
Dianna Johnson is a Senior Project Manager in V3’s Construction Group. She is one of the group’s “go-to” managers on complex infrastructure and ecological restoration projects. “Dianna is someone we can plug into any process or procedure and know that she’ll figure out the best way to execute the task,” Famiglietti said. Her knowledge and experience of what it takes to successfully execute work on behalf of both the client and V3 has earned her tremendous respect among peers and clients alike.
Jennifer Maercklein, P.E., CFM, is a Project Manager II within V3’s Water Resources Group. “Her management of top-tier clients, complex projects and large and diverse internal/external teams is unmatched,” said Greg Wolterstorff, V3’s Director of Natural Resources. In addition to possessing personal qualities that match V3’s core values, he said that Jennifer’s technical expertise in complex urban flood analysis and stormwater management and regulatory insight make her invaluable to V3’s clients and her co-workers.
Possessing a deep background in transportation and traffic planning, Peter Reinhofer, P.E., Project Manager II, adds value to V3’s Transportation & Municipal Engineering Group in terms of his technical knowledge, said Director Vince DelMedico. “But it transcends that,” he added, identifying his contribution to other practice areas as being key. “Peter has a great eye and understanding of the perspective of transportation agencies and municipalities,” he said. “This is a major benefit to our other engineers in terms of understanding how to integrate public improvements with our private development projects.”
Three other new shareholders hail from V3’s Construction Engineering Group. In discussing their qualities, Group Director Tomas Valaitis says they share the same traits: “They’re passionate about what they do, their clients and V3,” he said. “And they are all humble about what they’ve achieved in their careers.”
One of those professionals is Megan Benetatos, P.E., LEED AP. Serving as a Resident Engineer II, Megan brings a unique skill set and market knowledge to V3 related to the commuter rail industry. “Her reputation and performance has resulted in V3 being selected on complex rail projects on an ongoing basis,” Valaitis said.
Martha Ybarra, P.E., also is a Resident Engineer II. “Her signature achievement is continuing to build V3’s stature within the City of Chicago, based largely on her superior management of work related to the Department of Water Management,” Valaitis said. “Martha excels in her ability to coordinate and direct a large project staff.” Continuously aware of new opportunities, she is playing an increasing role working with key clients across multiple practice areas.
Similarly, Peter Sathissarat, P.E., has played a unique role in expanding V3’s reach. A Resident Engineer I, he has been key to V3 broadening its expertise into increasingly complex public works, sewer system and treatment projects. “He’s extremely flexible,” Valaitis said, “capable of delivering a variety of projects to a range of clients, from transportation agencies to municipalities.”
These new shareholders perfectly represent the range of skill sets and expertise that V3 provides to its clients across the array of market sectors its serves, said Petroelje. “V3 is privileged to have these leaders join our shareholder group. Our goal is to help every individual achieve the full measure of success, because without them we couldn’t be who we are today.”
About V3
V3 Companies supplies high-level expertise to help clients realize their transportation and municipal consulting, land development, and environmental, water and natural resources project objectives. The firm’s expansive and experienced professional staff provides coordinated, cross-discipline capabilities that facilitate client communication, project budget and schedule adherence and technical execution … all designed to deliver high-value projects to an exacting standard. Founded in 1983, V3 provides services related to transportation design and construction engineering; program management; municipal design and review; land and site development; survey and mapping; geoscience, water resource, environmental, ecological and wetland consulting; and ecological restoration and construction management. Headquartered in Illinois, V3 has offices in Canada and Haiti and has performed a range of project work across the globe. (www.v3co.com)