This being my final message for 2022, I’d like to look back at the past year, and forward to what is in store for 2023. I will start by extending my gratitude to all our clients who put their faith in the WGI team. At WGI, we know that to achieve our business goals, our clients’ success comes first, and we are fortunate to measure repeat clients in decades, to be trusted with your most challenging infrastructure projects, and feel grateful for the enduring friendships.
We experienced a year of strong growth at WGI, kicking it off with the addition and integration of two new entities into the WGI Family of Companies. We began January with Raleigh, North Carolina-based Simpson Engineers & Associates joining WGI. Led by David Simpson, this exciting new addition increases our client base, and adds expertise in rail, and geographic reach in what continues to be an exceptional transportation and rail market on the eastern seaboard.
Also in January, Streamline Technologies, creators of the ICPR4 suite of stormwater modeling software products, joined the WGI Family under the leadership of its founder, Pete Singhofen. As a wholly owned and independent subsidiary of WGI, we are excited about the growth potential for Streamline -- highlighted by the 2023 rollout of real-time flood forecasting that offers our clients unprecedented predictability, resiliency, and safety related to extreme weather events.
In July, national geospatial data, remote sensing, photogrammetry, and land surveying consulting firm The Atlantic Group, based in Huntsville, Alabama, became another subsidiary company of WGI. Led by Brian Mayfield, the re-branded WGI Geospatial provides aerial LiDAR, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and mapping services nationwide to federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private sector clients. This addition to our already market-leading geospatial practice will prove a catalyst for innovation and growth in the years ahead.
Concurrent to integrating our newest acquisitions, we also recognized organic growth across the firm. Despite the continued challenges in the labor market, our associate headcount and backlog increased to record levels -- we are very optimistic heading into 2023. Our markets have proven very resilient in the face of what has oftentimes been contradictory macroeconomic data. We look forward to continued strength in the federal and state transportation and infrastructure markets as spending from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act reaches our diverse client base.
Last month we were excited to see the promotion of Lindsay Libes into the role of Civil Engineering Division Director. Lindsay has been with WGI for her entire 15-year career, most recently serving as Director of Operations for our Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Mobility division. In her new role, Lindsay will be responsible for overseeing our nationwide Civil Engineering division, which includes over 80 associates spread across 16 offices in five states, serving both public and private clients.
Congratulations to our clients and all of our associates on a strong year. Here’s to another great year in 2023.
David Wantman, PE
Chief Executive Officer, WGI
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