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As WHPacific enters its 50th year in business, the company finds itself celebrating its past even as it looks forward to adding a new chapter to its legacy.At the end of last year, the firm鈥檚 long-time holding company, NANA Development Corporation, sold WHPacific to a joint venture of Grand Isle Shipyard and the Chouest Family. While the sale ended WHPacific鈥檚 long-time run as the largest Alaska Native-owned engineering firm in the U.S., it also advanced the firm into a new realm. With Dionne Chouest Austin now as 51 percent owner of WHPacific, the firm is certified as a women鈥檚 business enterprise by the Women鈥檚 Business Enterprise National Council.

The new designation is expected to provide WHPacific with new opportunities for projects while allowing it to hold true to the aspects and culture that have helped the firm reach its current level of success.

鈥淎lthough time has changed, our core values of honesty, integrity, dignity and respect have not,鈥� Todd Berthelot, the company鈥檚 current president, said. 鈥淏y allowing our core values to guide us, maintaining our focus on creative (and) exceptional service, and continuing to offer dynamic sustainable solutions, we are poised to write the next chapter of our rich history.鈥�

That history spans back to 1968, when the company known as Wilsey & Ham expanded into Northwest to provide innovative solutions in public infrastructure, land development and transportation engineering.

As it worked on projects in the infrastructure, environmental, transportation and aviation sectors, WHPacific quickly established itself as a key player in the region. The firm grew from 10 people in an office in Portland to 250 associates in seven offices across the country.

Its portfolio of work grew to include landmark projects such as the early development phases of the Pearl District, Washington Square, Cascade Station, Eagle Crest Resort and the Nike campus in unincorporated Washington County. The firm also has built an impressive transportation project portfolio that includes TriMet鈥檚 MAX light-rail system, Hillsboro Airport as well as work at other regional airports, and numerous road and bridge projects.

鈥淭he mark of a great company is long-term repeat clients and employees with decades of tenure. WHPacific can proudly claim both,鈥� said Bill Jabs, who became the firm鈥檚 president in 1986.

The firm points to a steady stream of strong leadership as contributing to its resiliency and endurance. The firm鈥檚 first president was David Evans, who went on to found David Evans and Associates. Evans was followed by Gordon Davis, Jerry Palmer and Jabs.

Throughout WHPacific鈥檚 history, its leaders have encouraged and supported a culture that places high value on providing safe work environments and professional support for its employees. The firm also has offered the highest levels of support to its clients, a courtesy also extended to the communities where projects are located.

鈥淭he company has left a profound mark on the region,鈥� Jabs said.

WHPacific鈥檚 legacy of defining excellence in the world of engineering is expected to continue as it moves into 2018 鈥� and beyond.

The firm expects to continue to expand its Industrial Facilities Engineering Group, a new service line consisting of mechanical and electrical engineering staff that was added last year. In addition, new leadership in the WHPacific office in Louisiana is expected to lead to new project聽opportunities in the southern part of the country.

鈥淭his an exciting time at WHPacific,鈥� Berthelot said.