Tag: New hire

Burian & Associates New Hire Spotlight: Hayden

Posted on by DaniK2023

Burian & Associates is excited to welcome Anyssa Hayden as a Planning & Policy Analyst, based in Fargo, North Dakota. Anyssa specializes in community and economic development initiatives, capital projects, and public policy implementation. Her robust background in data analysis and strategic planning makes her a valuable addition to our team.

Anyssa excels in gathering, analyzing, and visualizing data to develop informed policy recommendations and strategic insights. She is skilled in authoring strategies and policy documents, contributing to impactful public engagement efforts, and supporting funding and compliance activities through grant writing and management. Anyssa’s role in account development and expanding into new markets is pivotal to our growth and success. Her dedication to achieving project excellence and fostering sustainable community growth underscores her commitment to driving positive organizational outcomes.

Anyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Public Health Minor from North Dakota State University, where she graduated in December of 2021. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Rasmussen University, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2024.

Prior to becoming part of the B&A team, Anyssa worked as a Sales & Marketing Promotions Analyst where she reduced program execution time significantly by transitioning to a new system, consolidating programs, and setting up auto approval rules. She also enhanced data visualization tools, reducing file size and improving user experience, and improved team efficiency and collaboration by restructuring, training new team members, and enhancing dashboards in partnership with other departments.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with an amazing team and contribute to projects that positively impact communities and regions,” expressed Anyssa.

Matt Lower, Director of Planning & Client Development, noted, “I am very excited to add Anyssa to our team. Her background in analytics and channel partner development elevates B&A’s ability to ensure our clients have the best information and resources to make decisions for their residents, stakeholders, and customers.”

Outside of the office, Anyssa enjoys staying active, working on DIY projects, and spending time with her family and friends.

We are excited to see the positive impact Anyssa will bring to our team and projects!

Burian & Associates New Hire Spotlight: Theisen

Posted on by DaniK2023

Burian & Associates is excited to welcome Zack Theisen as a Land Surveyor and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Technician in Fargo, North Dakota. With over 15 years of surveying and CAD experience, Zack is a valuable addition to our team. In his role, he will survey, provide construction staking, and complete CAD for private and municipal projects.

Originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Zack completed his education at St. Cloud Community and Technical College, earning a degree in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology. He began his career in Dickinson, ND before settling in the Fargo-West Fargo area.

Zack has contributed to numerous notable projects across North Dakota and Minnesota, including the design of the largest building in North Dakota, the Amazon Fulfillment Center. His responsibilities included laying out the 110-acre facility, road and parking lot design, surveying and staking, and coordinating with project stakeholders and the City of Fargo. Additionally, Zack has worked on various road improvement projects and street and utility reconstructions.

He is proficient in design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and MicroStation and has completed training in OSHA 10 HR, eRailSafe #877038, H2S Awareness, and ND NSC Defensive Driving.

“I am excited to work for a company that fosters the growth and development of my career. I look forward to the opportunity and challenge of helping develop the survey department at Burian & Associates,” expressed Zack.

Caleb Kjetland, Assistant Operations Director and Professional Manager, noted, “I’m excited that Zack has chosen to join Burian & Associates due to his demonstrated experience in the civil engineering field. His expertise and track record in delivering high-quality results will be a valuable asset to our team. I’m looking forward to the positive impact he’ll make on our projects.”

Outside of the office, Zack enjoys lake trips, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his wife, 4-year-old son, and their two German Shepherds, who were rescued from Journey Home Animal Rescue.

Burian & Associates New Hire Spotlight: Lane

Posted on by Burian & Associates

Burian & Associates is excited to welcome Kaycie Lane as a part-time Technical Consultant, based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kaycie joins our team with extensive knowledge and experience, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she teaches within the new environmental engineering major. Her background as a consultant, coupled with her academic expertise, allows her to translate real-world insights into valuable lessons for her students. Kaycie’s diverse experience includes working with small, rural communities on academic research projects, providing her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these areas face. Her work emphasizes finding technologically feasible and sustainable solutions from social, economic, and environmental perspectives.

Kaycie has an undergraduate degree in engineering physics from the Colorado School of Mines, with minors in biology and humanitarian engineering. She earned her PhD from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2020, focusing on risk management improvements for small drinking water systems. She is an Engineering Intern in Nebraska and is working towards her PE in Environmental Engineering.

Before joining Burian & Associates, Kaycie completed a 2-year post-doctoral position at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, working on a WQRF-funded project comparing point-of-use/point-of-entry technologies to centralized treatment upgrades in four US states. She collaborated with the Joint Monitoring Programme to examine global trucked drinking water trends and consulted on nitrogen removal technology designs for aquaculture ventures in Nebraska and Nova Scotia.

Kaycie is passionate about providing small communities with access to drinking water and sanitation services, not just in the United States but globally. Her ongoing partnerships with researchers worldwide enhance her ability to deliver innovative and effective solutions.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out into the field as an engineer with Burian & Associates because it improves my understanding of what my students need to know before they graduate and gives me more context when I’m in the classroom. It’s also fun to get the chance to work on all the new and exciting projects Burian & Associates currently has,” expressed Kaycie.

Steve Burian, President and CEO of Burian & Associates, noted, “We are excited to add Kaycie’s passion and expertise to the Burian & Associates team. We have a dynamic summer planned for 2024.”

Outside of work, Kaycie is a certified fitness instructor, teaching group fitness classes wherever she works and lives. She enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and general outdoor activities, especially with her family in Utah.

Burian & Associates New Hire Spotlight: Lower

Posted on by Burian & Associates

Burian & Associates welcomes Matt Lower as the Director of Planning and Client Development, working in Fargo, North Dakota. Matt is a seasoned consultant with expertise in organizational strategy, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, economic development, and public-private partnerships. As the Director of Planning and Client Development, Matt collaborates with clients to formulate strategies that propel their objectives and yield successful outcomes. With extensive experience, he has provided valuable counsel to communities in the upper Midwest and throughout the nation on their planning, engineering, and construction projects.

Matt has an undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University at Buffalo, a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Eastern Washington University and attended archaeological field school at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States.

Before becoming a part of the B&A team, Matt spearheaded consulting projects for telecommunications infrastructure across six states at CTC Technology and Energy. Notably, he played a key role in the $6 billion California Middle Mile Broadband Initiative. Matt also served as an advisor to the Newsom Administration and the California Government Operations Agency, contributing to permitting reform and the facilitation of streamlined infrastructure deployment. His prior experience includes managing a public sector consulting practice at a regional A/E/C firm and holding senior economic and community development positions within municipal and tribal governments.

Matt enjoys working with remote and emerging communities and fostering public-private partnerships. He is also passionate about placemaking, walkability, and transportation choice.

“Burian & Associates represents a unique and exceptional opportunity, seamlessly blending decades of industry leadership with the nimbleness of a startup. I am thrilled to be part of a team that delivers world-class service tailored to each customer’s specific needs,” expressed Matt.

Steve Burian, President and CEO of Burian & Associates, noted, “We are excited to add new leadership and expertise for the planning services provided by Burian & Associates. Matt’s vision, passion, energy, and experience will greatly benefit our clients.”

Outside of the work environment, Matt is a proud two-time winner of the Eastern Washington University Urban and Regional Planning Chili Cook-off, a husband, and a father of an infant son.

Burian & Associates New Hire Spotlight: Stauss

Posted on by Burian & Associates

Burian & Associates is excited to welcome Jenny Stauss to its Grand Forks Office as a Senior Project Manager. Jenny brings unique and extensive project management experience, and passion for attention to detail, problem solving, research, and data analysis to her position at Burian & Associates.

Jenny’s background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. Her work experience includes being a Technical Support Engineer for Great Plains Software (now Microsoft), the Customer Service Team Lead for Amazon, and most recently working for Ideal Aerosmith in a variety of positions – Purchasing, Materials Manager, Production Planning, and Project Management.

In her 22.5 years at Ideal Aerosmith, Jenny worked with mechanical and electrical engineers and production project teams to plan projects, identify resources, and drive schedules to meet commitments to customers. Her emphasis was project management of the contract manufacturing services Ideal Aerosmith provided to the aerospace industry.

“I am excited to be joining a new and growing company that will challenge me every day,” expressed Jenny.

Sarah Sesselman, Director of Development at Burian & Associates, noted “We’re fortunate to have Jenny join our Team! We are really looking forward to the wide-ranging project management experience and fresh perspective she will be able to share with our Team and our Clients!”

Jenny has hit the ground running in Grand Forks by assisting in User Outreach on the RRVWSP. Jenny is also assisting on the ND DEQ Lead Service Line projects and is currently managing seven of the cities we have been awarded with more to come.

Jenny is a very detail-oriented person and enjoys projects that require extensive research, information management, and planning upfront. Jenny is an amazing addition to the Burian and Associates team and she will, and already has started to, make an impact on our work going forward.