BENTON HARBOR — After 15 years at the helm, Tom Deneau has retired from his position as president of Wightman & Associates, Inc. The new president is long-time WAI principal, Matt Davis. Deneau will continue at WAI with the title of past president, serving as a mentor and working with clients.

“We have been working toward this transition for some time due to my impending retirement,” Deneau stated. “Matt’s strong knowledge of every aspect of what we do and his vision for Wightman & Associate’s future will serve the organization well as it moves into this new chapter of the company’s nearly 70-year history.”

Deneau joined WAI as a project engineer in 1974 and celebrated his 41st anniversary with the company in June 2015. He was hired for his background in municipal engineering, which was a complementary balance to the construction engineering background of then president Maurice Rushlow. Deneau quickly became an instrumental figure within the growing company as it established affiliate offices throughout the region and expanded its work with municipalities and private companies throughout Michigan and Indiana.

In 2000, Deneau took over after Rushlow’s death to become WAI’s third president. Under his leadership, the company moved from its Broad Street offices in St. Joseph to its current location on Pipestone Road in Benton Charter Township. Deneau also streamlined and strengthened the company by consolidating the affiliate offices originally created in the 1980s and 1990s. Because of the consolidation, WAI also has offices in Allegan and Portage.

While he was president, Deneau led numerous key projects for the company. Deneau, who holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and a master of science degree in environmental engineering from Michigan State University, serves on the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Water Environment Federation, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers and American Water Works Association.

“Tom instilled in all of us that we are more than consultants, we are part of our client’s team, we are passionate about solving problems,” Davis said. “This philosophy is Tom’s legacy and the foundation for our future.”

Davis has been with WAI since 1994 when he joined the company as an architectural engineer. Growing up in a family of real estate developers, Davis has worked in all aspects of planning, designing, developing, and operating real estate over the past 25 years.

During his 20 years with WAI, Davis represented a variety of municipal, tribal and private partners for building, infrastructure and preservation projects. He will serve as the fourth president of the company.

Davis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a licensed engineer in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois and a licensed real estate broker in Michigan. Davis is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council – West Michigan Chapter, and the Water Environmental Association.

 

Wightman & Associates, Inc. is an engineering, architectural, survey and environmental firm that has been serving Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana since 1946 with offices in Benton Harbor, Portage, and Allegan, Michigan. WAI is committed to improving the lives of our staff, our clients and our communities.