The Early Years

Mead & Hunt’s story begins 125 years ago when a young hydrology engineer named Daniel W. Mead followed his passion for engineering and innovation and founded our firm in Chicago in 1900. Though Mead might never have imagined the breadth of engineering services now offered at Mead & Hunt, each stands on the strong foundation he established in the early years.

From a young age, Daniel W. Mead was determined to pursue a career in engineering. After graduating from Cornell University, he moves back to his hometown of Rockford, Illinois, and proves himself a bright and driven engineer. Seeking new challenges, Mead moves to Chicago and founds our firm in 1900.
From a young age, Daniel W. Mead was determined to pursue a career in engineering. After graduating from Cornell University, he moves back to his hometown of Rockford, Illinois, and proves himself a bright and driven engineer. Seeking new challenges, Mead moves to Chicago and founds our firm in 1900.
In 1904, Mead authors his first book and joins the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching the first college classes on hydrology. Here, he establishes an office on campus, and soon after, hires Henry Hunt, a student who will later become a partner of the firm.
In 1904, Mead authors his first book and joins the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching the first college classes on hydrology. Here, he establishes an office on campus, and soon after, hires Henry Hunt, a student who will later become a partner of the firm.
From 1913 to 1933, the company designs 17 hydroelectric facilities in the Midwest. Early firm projects include the Black River Falls Municipal Hydro Plant, Prairie du Sac Hydro project, and the Kilbourn Dam (Wisconsin Dells).
From 1913 to 1933, the company designs 17 hydroelectric facilities in the Midwest. Early firm projects include the Black River Falls Municipal Hydro Plant, Prairie du Sac Hydro project, and the Kilbourn Dam (Wisconsin Dells).
From the 1910s–1930s, Mead serves on various commissions to study flooding across the US. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson sends Mead to China as part of an international delegation to study flood protection.
From the 1910s–1930s, Mead serves on various commissions to study flooding across the US. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson sends Mead to China as part of an international delegation to study flood protection.
President Calvin Coolidge appoints Mead to the Colorado River Board to review plans for the Hoover Dam. He serves on the Board until 1936.
President Calvin Coolidge appoints Mead to the Colorado River Board to review plans for the Hoover Dam. He serves on the Board until 1936.
In 1936, Mead is elected president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also publishes “The Engineer and His Code,” a guideline focusing on engineering ethics. Three years later, ASCE establishes the annual Daniel W. Mead prize, an award focused on ethics in engineering, which is still active today.
In 1936, Mead is elected president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also publishes “The Engineer and His Code,” a guideline focusing on engineering ethics. Three years later, ASCE establishes the annual Daniel W. Mead prize, an award focused on ethics in engineering, which is still active today.
Mead retires from full-time work in 1929 and leaves the UW faculty in 1937. Mead's son Harold incorporates the firm as Mead, Ward, and Hunt in 1933, becoming the largest firm in Wisconsin. Daniel remains active in the industry until his death in 1948.
Mead retires from full-time work in 1929 and leaves the UW faculty in 1937. Mead's son Harold incorporates the firm as Mead, Ward, and Hunt in 1933, becoming the largest firm in Wisconsin. Daniel remains active in the industry until his death in 1948.

The Next Generation: Market Growth

The second half of the 20th century saw our expertise widening to incorporate more services when World War II carved out new niches for structural, mechanical, and airport engineering. We forged into new projects and markets. As the needs of our country evolved, Mead & Hunt was rapidly growing into the full-service engineering and architecture firm we know today.

WWII breaks out, and in 1941, Mead, Ward, & Hunt is contracted to provide a fast-track design for a $30 million training site at Camp McCoy (now Fort McCoy). Post-war, the firm continues federal work, including hydroelectric, airfield, facility, and other defense-related infrastructure.
WWII breaks out, and in 1941, Mead, Ward, & Hunt is contracted to provide a fast-track design for a $30 million training site at Camp McCoy (now Fort McCoy). Post-war, the firm continues federal work, including hydroelectric, airfield, facility, and other defense-related infrastructure.
Aviation services expand post-WWII for both military and commercial aviation. Services include runway extensions, airfield lighting, and terminal improvements. This is the start of some of our long-term partnerships with airports such as Dane County Regional Airport and Appleton International Airport. Today, we serve aviation clients throughout the country.
Aviation services expand post-WWII for both military and commercial aviation. Services include runway extensions, airfield lighting, and terminal improvements. This is the start of some of our long-term partnerships with airports such as Dane County Regional Airport and Appleton International Airport. Today, we serve aviation clients throughout the country.
With the addition of its first architect in 1949, the firm expands into the food industry with projects for local dairy plants. Architecture opens the doors further for other industrial, municipal, federal, and aviation projects.
With the addition of its first architect in 1949, the firm expands into the food industry with projects for local dairy plants. Architecture opens the doors further for other industrial, municipal, federal, and aviation projects.
Black and white photo of aerial view of interstate highway
The firm plays a role in the development of the interstate highway system, designing roads and bridges across Wisconsin in the mid-1950s. By the 1960s, our planning services help communities implement sustainable infrastructure through land-use planning, master plans, and surveying.
Our legacy in water resources engineering continues as we work on hydroelectric projects and municipal water systems throughout the Midwest. By the mid-1990s, we offer environmental planning and oversee a project restoring the water quality at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin.
Our legacy in water resources engineering continues as we work on hydroelectric projects and municipal water systems throughout the Midwest. By the mid-1990s, we offer environmental planning and oversee a project restoring the water quality at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin.
Cultural Resources is introduced in the 1990s, largely driven by our clients’ needs to address Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. We work with public agencies throughout the country as our capabilities grow, establishing a national reputation in addressing historic bridges. Continued growth includes adding archaeology as a service.
Cultural Resources is introduced in the 1990s, largely driven by our clients’ needs to address Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. We work with public agencies throughout the country as our capabilities grow, establishing a national reputation in addressing historic bridges. Continued growth includes adding archaeology as a service.
The firm continues to prioritize sustainability and further invests in and expands sustainability and resiliency services. Greenhouse gas reduction, electrification, net-zero energy performance, and other renewable energy services are added as a staple in our offerings.
The firm continues to prioritize sustainability and further invests in and expands sustainability and resiliency services. Greenhouse gas reduction, electrification, net-zero energy performance, and other renewable energy services are added as a staple in our offerings.

125 & Going Strong

Over the course of 125 years, Mead & Hunt has grown to 1,400+ employees in more than 55 offices nationwide. As we celebrate 125 Years of Exceptional, we have our eyes on the future. We’re thinking about how to build resilience into our projects, how to continuously create value for our clients and communities, and how to best build a world for future generations.

exterior photo of Middleton Mead & Hunt building
Since 2000, Mead & Hunt has become a nationwide company with offices from Florida to Seattle. Our services have expanded and our employee count has grown more than sevenfold, but we’ve stayed true to our Midwestern roots with our largest office just six miles west of our first Wisconsin location 100+ years ago.
After debuting in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms in the early 1990s, Mead & Hunt has remained in the top 100 firms since 2021, most recently ranking as #81. We’ve also been recognized by ENR as a Top 150 Global Design Firm and in the Top 100 Green Design Firms list.
After debuting in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms in the early 1990s, Mead & Hunt has remained in the top 100 firms since 2021, most recently ranking as #81. We’ve also been recognized by ENR as a Top 150 Global Design Firm and in the Top 100 Green Design Firms list.
2025 marks the launch of our 10-year strategic plan that maps out a future focused on sustainability and resilience, innovation and technology, and our continued commitment to taking care of people.
2025 marks the launch of our 10-year strategic plan that maps out a future focused on sustainability and resilience, innovation and technology, and our continued commitment to taking care of people.
We remain committed to putting people first in everything we do. This especially holds true for our employees who make Mead & Hunt who we are. As we move forward, we continue to invest in our employees—supporting their growth, creating new opportunities, and seeking ways to provide the best employee experience.
We remain committed to putting people first in everything we do. This especially holds true for our employees who make Mead & Hunt who we are. As we move forward, we continue to invest in our employees—supporting their growth, creating new opportunities, and seeking ways to provide the best employee experience.
We know that technological and disruptive change will transform our industry. We aim to meet that challenge by cultivating a culture of innovation, fostering opportunity for employees, enhancing our capabilities, and creating value for our clients. This is why we’ve launched and continue to invest in programs like our Foresight + Innovation + Technology initiative.
We know that technological and disruptive change will transform our industry. We aim to meet that challenge by cultivating a culture of innovation, fostering opportunity for employees, enhancing our capabilities, and creating value for our clients. This is why we’ve launched and continue to invest in programs like our Foresight + Innovation + Technology initiative.
We remain committed to sustainable practices in our operations and resilient solutions for our clients. We have laid the groundwork to integrate sustainability and resilience into every solution we develop and deliver to our clients and their communities. Our Responsibility & Resilience Report keeps us accountable for continuous improvement.
We remain committed to sustainable practices in our operations and resilient solutions for our clients. We have laid the groundwork to integrate sustainability and resilience into every solution we develop and deliver to our clients and their communities. Our Responsibility & Resilience Report keeps us accountable for continuous improvement.
Share ownership has been open to all full-time employees since the mid-1990s, and in 2025 we have nearly 400 shareholders. Our vision stays true to our values: We are passing a healthy, growing company to the next generation of employee owners.
Share ownership has been open to all full-time employees since the mid-1990s, and in 2025 we have nearly 400 shareholders. Our vision stays true to our values: We are passing a healthy, growing company to the next generation of employee owners.

Make History With Us

We invite you to help shape our story as we continue evolving.

Through employee ownership, our people share in our collective success. Join our team and become part of a legacy built on collaboration, innovation, and impact. 

View Open Positions