Inspired by Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community"—a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one's fellow human beings—we concluded our organized MLK Day activities in Toledo by answering a powerful call to action: “everybody can be great...because anybody can serve.” SSOE volunteers including colleagues from our Interfaith and PRIDE Employee Resource Groups packed over 1,000 weekender bags at the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo yesterday, ensuring that economically disadvantaged students in the area have uninterrupted access to nutritious food when school is not in session. #MLKday #SSOEcares #chooseSSOE
Practice makes perfect. In 2022, SSOE implemented its first-ever practice group within the structural discipline. This group was founded and led by Bill Kussro, leading to the launch of nine more discipline-specific practice groups within our firm and his recent promotion to Vice President of Engineering and Design. Our practice groups are designed to harness the collective expertise of our talented professionals across all disciplines. By standardizing and streamlining our processes and driving innovation, we’ve significantly enhanced our efficiency and quality of work while enhancing our culture of collaboration. #PressRelease #chooseSSOE
As part of the activities leading up to MLK Day, a few members and allies of BLACC—an acronym for Black Leaders and Collaborative Changemakers—spent their Saturday morning at the SSOE-sponsored Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast. BLACC is an Employee Resource Group at SSOE that fosters a supportive network that’s open to all who support the Black / African American experience at SSOE. SSOE’s Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that offer opportunities to network internally, attract a diverse employee base, provide the inclusion of ideas and solutions, and create opportunities for mentoring and career development. #MLKday #chooseSSOE
On Friday, we hosted what’s become an annual tradition at our world headquarters: our Dream Kit Build. In partnership with The Art Tatum Zone and built for the students at Toledo Public Schools Pickett Academy just minutes from our office, these kits included items around the theme of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This year, our team of employees put together a total of 52 dream kits over their lunch break. #MLKday #SSOEcares #TPSproud
In celebration of MLK Day, a paid holiday for our U.S. teams, we're embracing the spirit of “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, we're reminded of the incredible power of service—how it unites us, uplifts our communities, and drives meaningful, lasting change. Our employees are encouraged complete acts of service in their own communities as a way of celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy. #MLKDay #SSOEcares
Leading minds in computational design. SSOE's Louise Schlatter, Master Architect recently focused on expanding our ever-growing solar and battery portfolios, will present at next week's Advancing Computational Building Design Conference in Austin. She will lead “Improving Communication with Designers and the Project Team to Achieve the Highest Quality Designs” on Tuesday, January 27. The following day, Louise will participate in a panel discussion, “Keeping Up with Constant Technological Advances to Balance High-Quality with High-Tech Designs.” Louise joined our firm in 1986 as its first female registered architect and quickly became the go-to architect for large, complex buildings. She was one of the first technical professionals at SSOE to learn and embrace CAD technology, enabling us to provide international design services to our clients. She became SSOE’s first certified LEED Accredited Professional and has leveraged this to help our clients achieve numerous firsts, including the first and only Platinum LEED-certified automotive assembly plant in the world. #PressRelease #SSOEaustin
When time is money, predictive maintenance becomes indispensable. In a recent Plant Engineering article, Witt Parrish, Senior Mechanical Engineer at SSOE, and John Cray, Principal Consultant at Life Cycle Engineering, explored the shift from manually managed, usage-based maintenance to advanced technology monitoring systems like condition-based or predictive maintenance.
Our learning culture is apparent in everything we do—from our certification and licensure programs, employer-sponsored training, and development to our basic approach to work life. We believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions, and honest mistakes are treated as opportunities for growth. #PressRelease #chooseSSOE
The best is yet to come! This year, we pushed the boundaries of innovation and excellence, and the results speak for themselves as we celebrate another record-breaking year. From our humble beginnings in Toledo, Ohio over 75 years ago, to today, where we boast 1,500 employees who are making an impact globally, we continue to deliver unparalleled client value that advances the industry. As we reflect on our achievements, we’re even more excited about the future. Stay connected to see what we have in store. #NewYear #chooseSSOE
New year, new term—same amazing Chair! We’re excited to celebrate Senior Architect Deirdre “Dee” Leclair, AIA, NCARB, who works in one of our Atlanta offices, has been reappointed as Chair of the American Institute of Architects National Codes and Standards Committee for another two years, starting January 1, 2025. This prestigious honor highlights how our employees extend SSOE’s mission and vision beyond our projects, positively impacting our communities and industry. Serving as Chair since 2022, Dee’s leadership has influenced numerous codes, amendments, and legislative bills, providing a national voice for the excellent work being done in Georgia. In 2023, Dee earned the Bronze Medal Award from AIA Georgia for her career-long commitment to improving and helping designers navigate the state’s fire and building codes—first inside the Department of Community Affairs and now in private practice. #SSOEcares #SSOEsoutheast
