2026 Small Firm of the Year

Williams & Works of Grand Rapids was honored as the Small Firm of the Year for its leadership, innovation, and service to both the profession and the community. Highlights include:

• Active engagement in ACEC/Michigan governance, with Nathan Breese serving as an Observer on the Board of Directors and Brandon Mieras as a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program. Brandon Mieras has contributed for many years having served as chair of the ACEC/USDA RD/EGLE/MEDC Committee.
• Advocacy for the engineering profession, including legislative outreach and client education on critical funding opportunities and technical engineering issues.
• Technical innovation, most notably presenting Michigan’s first Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) plant and collaborating with EGLE on groundwater management and well construction policy discussions.
• Recognition for project excellence, including an Honorable Conceptor Award for the Cutler Road Bridge and additional recognition for the Greenville wastewater project.
• Deep community involvement, from sponsoring local events and supporting scholarships to participating in volunteer efforts such as the Amway Riverbank Run and mentoring students through internships and the MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Contest.

Williams & Works demonstrates how small firms can drive meaningful impact through leadership, innovation, and community commitment.