1. Give us a brief history of your company.
HDR celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. It started as a civil engineering firm and has since expanded to include architecture, environmental and construction services. We have more than 225 offices around the world and nearly 10,000 employees. Our roots in Louisiana go back to 1975 with offices currently in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Metairie.
2. What would you tell the rest of Acadiana makes you special?
It doesn’t matter how big a challenge is, we help our clients find a way. We pride ourselves in being employee-owned—everyone who works here has a stake in our success, and it shows. Most importantly, to our staff, Acadiana is the place we call home so it’s so important that we contribute innovative solutions to our communities’ problems.
3. What are you most proud of?
We’re most proud of how the work we do has a positive impact on our communities, and how our employees are a key part of our communities, not just through the work we’re hired to do, but through the causes and groups we support. HDR supports local non-profit organizations through service work and donations, including Trees Acadiana, Boy Scouts of America, Fete de la Terre, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Toys for Tots, Society of Wetland Scientists South Central Chapter and Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association. HDR also has an employee-administered foundation, the HDR Foundation, which is centered on helping the communities where we are rooted. The HDR Foundation recently provided a grant to the Preservation Resource Center in New Orleans and continue to look for opportunities to support organizations and activities that align with HDR’s values and areas of expertise, with the benefits going to the communities.
4. Where do you see your business in 10 years? What are your plans for the future?
We don’t know exactly what infrastructure and community needs will look like 10 years from now, but we know whatever challenges they bring, we will be there to help our clients prepare for it.
5. 1A is “Focused on Forward” – meaning we are taking an active role of improving the community we live in. Our members are Focused on Forward, too! – What does Focused on Forward mean to you? How is your company Focused on Forward?
We are definitely Focused on Forward as we embark on HDR’s second hundred years. We plan to help Acadiana continue to be great a place to live, work and play through the work we do.