AE2S has a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Grant Meyer has worked for AE2S for over 20 years and is credited with accomplishing several strategic initiatives during his time as Business Development Director and Chief Development Officer, as well as helping the environmental engineering consulting firm grow its presence in Minnesota.
The change in leadership comes on the heels of Steve Burian, cofounder of AE2S, stepping away from the CEO role to devote more time to the development of large projects across the United States. He will continue to serve in executive positions within AE2S Industrial and AE2S Operations.
“I have reached a place where I want to focus my passion on developing large-scale, transformational water infrastructure projects, not just in North Dakota and the region, but across the U.S.,” says Burian. “Grant has worked in multiple facets and in multiple geographies at AE2S, preparing himself for the ultimate leadership position. I feel confident that he will capably lead, and I look forward to supporting Grant as I return to technical work within the company.”
Meyer officially became CEO at the beginning of 2019. “This is a very exciting time to work for AE2S. In addition to growing business in our existing markets, we continue to add staff and expand into new geographies. In fact, we recently opened offices in Keystone, Colorado, and Billings, Montana, and we are evaluating additional office locations,” says Meyer.
AE2S cofounder and President Charlie Vein says the transition is a continuation of the next level of growth for the firm. “Grant is a great fit for the CEO role. I’m very impressed with his encouraging and personable nature. He is well respected by clients and staff,” says Vein.
In 2018, the company moved to an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP. “As our company growth continues, so does the success of our employee-owners,” says Meyer. “We are committed to maintaining the highest level of service to our fantastic clients throughout the region, and we look forward to continuing to expand our services and geography. I am honored to serve our clients and employee-owners as AE2S’ new CEO.”
Meyer grew up in Elgin, North Dakota and attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. While at UND, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering with Environmental Emphasis. He began his career as an intern with AE2S in 1997 at the firm’s headquarters in Grand Forks.
“You could say Grant literally worked his way up from the bottom to the top of the firm. When he was an intern, AE2S was doing post-flood work and as part of an inspection process, Grant crawled through storm sewers to look for cracks. From his time as an intern to today, leading the company, he always had a contagious, positive attitude – even when he was down in a hole,” says Vein with a laugh.
Over the years, Meyer was promoted to Operations Manager of the Maple Grove office and Regional Client Program Leader. He most recently served as the firm’s Chief Development Officer. He led the growth of office operations as well as all the firm’s Practice Leaders over the course of the last 10 years, prior to being named CEO.
Meyer’s experience includes a variety of water and wastewater system infrastructure planning, design, and construction projects. He has seen numerous projects from master planning through design and construction for systems serving hundreds of thousands of people in the upper Midwest.
He has been married to his wife Marsha for 16 years. The couple has two sons, ages four and 14. In his free time, Meyer enjoys downhill skiing and spending time with his two boys.
