Our Year in Review & What’s Ahead

A message from CEO Troy Triphahn

As we reflect on 2025, I’m incredibly proud of what our WT Group AEC team has accomplished together. This year marked an important chapter in our continued evolution defined by growth, collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful impact for our clients and communities.

A major milestone in 2025 was our partnership with financial and strategic partner Altura Capital. This partnership strengthens our ability to scale thoughtfully, invest in our people and technology, and position WT Group to deliver our broad array of services across key markets with even greater agility and consistency.

We also continued to expand our footprint in Florida, responding to increasing demand for integrated AEC services in high-growth, high-performance markets. Across the country, our clients continue to value WT Group AEC as a true one-stop shop, bringing together engineering disciplines, design, and specialty services under one roof to streamline delivery and elevate outcomes.

Most importantly, our success in 2025 was driven by our people. Their professionalism, technical expertise, responsiveness, and dedication to collaboration set WT Group AEC apart. I’m grateful for the passion our teams bring to every project and for the trust our clients place in us year after year.

Let’s take a look back on some of the exciting accomplishments from this past year:

Accessibility Consulting

• Supported Lincolnway Special Recreation Center and Western DuPage Special Recreation Association in developing Transition Plans to improve accessibility and ensure compliance with state and federal standards.
• Continued long-standing partnerships with returning clients, including Five Rivers MetroParks (Dayton, OH), the City of Peoria, AZ, and five Illinois park districts: Tinley Park, Wheeling, Waukegan, Rolling Meadows, and Glencoe.
• Re-evaluated and updated the City of Peoria, AZ’s parks and recreation Transition Plan, originally implemented in 2013.
• Celebrated the success of our clients on a national stage, with 12 current or former clients named Gold Medal finalists by AAPRA/NRPA and three receiving Gold Medal honors.

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Aquatic Engineering

• Supported the opening of Aqualusion Waterpark for the Barrington Park District in Barrington, IL, which opened in June 2025 and features an activity lap pool, dive pool, two run-out slides, and a zero-depth leisure pool with a current channel designed for all-ages recreation.
• Delivered aquatic engineering services for Del Webb Northstar in Columbus, OH, creating a resort-style pool environment that supports active adult fitness, relaxation, and social engagement.
• Designed an indoor, heated instructional pool for SafeSplash Swim School in Concord, NC, supporting swim programs for all ages with a strong focus on water safety, skill development, and confidence building.

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Civil Engineering

• Completed construction of the HFHS Net Zero Science Wing and attended the grand opening of the award-winning net-zero addition, which earned the Award of Distinction at the Exhibition of Educational Environments.
• Fast-tracked design and permitting for Munster High School, enabling winter construction and completion ahead of the spring baseball season—approximately eight months after contract award.
• Led successful multi-discipline projects at Blair Park Pool and Lake Hinsdale Pool, coordinating civil, MEP, surveying, architecture, structural, and aquatics teams.
• Completed design and permitting for a 28-lot Habitat for Humanity residential subdivision in Carpentersville, IL, with construction planned for 2026.
• Delivered multiple complex stormwater management projects in Florida, supporting our continued regional growth.

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Design & Program Management

• Supported the opening of dozens of new retail locations in 2025 for national chains expanding across the country, providing integrated design and program management services to support rapid growth.
• Led design and delivery for new ground-up retail and fueling station projects, tailoring architectural and brand elements to reflect local communities while maintaining consistency across multi-site programs.
• Managed multiple facility remodels for established retail brands, incorporating the latest display merchandising technologies and upgraded architectural features to enhance the customer experience.
• Continued to demonstrate our strength in managing high-volume, multi-location programs through streamlined coordination, schedule control, and consistent execution nationwide.

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Land Survey

• Continued to deliver high-quality CAD services, which remain a core and growing component of the Land Survey practice.
• Secured a new five-year contract with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), enhancing WT Group’s trusted partnership on critical infrastructure projects.
• Expanded the team with the addition of Angel Arce, supporting continued growth and capacity across projects.
• Refined fieldwork preparation and delivery methods, finishing 2025 strong with notable contributions to renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

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MEP Engineering

• Partnered with FGM Architects on multiple fire station projects across Illinois, delivering efficient, resilient building systems.
• Provided innovative MEP designs for entertainment venues including Activate Games and Escapology.
• Supported the expansion of Portillo’s locations across Florida and Georgia in partnership with Jensen & Jensen Architects.
• Celebrated Mechanical Engineer’s Tyler Owsianiak passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, supporting WT Group’s commitment to professional development.

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Structural Engineering

• Celebrated professional growth as Senior Project Engineer Drake Tylka passed the Professional Engineer (PE) exam.
• Implemented O365 and Pirros to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and project documentation.
• Delivered structural engineering services for numerous high-end residential projects across diverse markets.
• Played a key role in The Verb Palm Springs Hotel redevelopment, providing structural upgrades to existing buildings and supporting new construction to transform the property into a modern, experience-driven hospitality destination while enhancing safety, functionality, and guest experience.

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Telecommunication Engineering

• Expanded into new partnerships with EV-focused design/build companies, supporting the growing intersection of telecommunications and electric vehicle infrastructure.
• Established relationships with 7 new clients, broadening our telecom market presence and project portfolio.
• Contributed to several large-scale telecom infrastructure projects, including Zayo switch facilities and Uniti shelter expansions, supporting network reliability and capacity growth.

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Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, WT Group AEC remains focused on strategic growth, deeper integration across practice areas, and continued investment in our employees. As a true turnkey firm, we are able to streamline project delivery, reduce risk, and provide clients with a more coordinated experience from planning to execution. With strong partnerships, expanding national presence, and dedicated teams committed to excellence, we are well positioned to build on our momentum and deliver even greater value to our clients and communities.