Early on a Friday morning in August, Senior Vice President Brad Stipes took his seat at the weekly Officer’s Meeting in Blacksburg, and was joined by Ben, his 10 year old son. Ben was bright eyed and attentive, ready to follow his father’s footsteps for a day and explore his own interests in engineering and surveying.

Ben, a rising 6th grader, joined Brad, Trevor Kimzey, and Janette Brown of Land Development Services for site visits to three high school stadium projects in Montgomery County, Va. and to the James Hardie building site. Brad said, "It’s exciting to be his dad and watch him take an interest in engineering. Ben knows he can be whatever he wants to be, but it is really neat to see his interest in this."

As the day was coming to an end, CEO Ken Anderson asked Ben to join him for a lesson in surveying and the use of total stations. "That sort of attention lights fires that a parent can’t light. On the way home from work, Ben was asking when he could start surveying," Brad said.

In August 1995, Shawn Caldwell joined Anderson & Associates as a drafter on Vice President Tommy Digiulian’s team. "These days, I’m the help desk for AutoDesk software, I train employees when new versions of the software are released, I manage the licenses, and I’m a Design Technician for Chris Fewster," Shawn said. He also serves the company as a printer guru, helping employees plot out and manage large printing jobs.

Shawn is happy to be back on Chris’ team. He said, "I’m definitely glad to have Chris back from Franklin County. We’re pulling all-niters, just like old times. We work on good projects, and it’s rewarding to get the work done."

After 10 years with A&A, Shawn said he most appreciates the flex time, his co-workers, and the ability to expand. "I started as a drafter, and I’ve worked my way into a position I enjoy," Shawn said.