Wilson & Company Purchases Western Air Maps Resulting in 50 Additional Staff Members and 3 New Office Locations

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – December 1, 2008 – Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects announced today that it had completed its acquisition of Western Air Maps, Inc. of Overland Park, Kansas. Western Air Maps is a successful photogrammetric and geospatial mapping firm, and has been in business since 1960.

The acquisition expands the services of Wilson & Company’s Survey, Geospatial, and Remote Sensing Division with three new office locations and 50 additional staff members. A total staff of 125 surveying and mapping professionals are now available to serve clients from 17 office locations across the U.S. The acquisition brings Wilson & Company’s total staff count to 520 firm-wide.

James Gibbs, CEO and President of Wilson & Company said, “Western Air Maps’ reputation and superior staff prompted the acquisition. We are proud and excited about this move. It will enhance our services and strengthen our capabilities. This is a great opportunity for both firms and our clients.”

Western Air Maps CEO and President Don Wigger stated, “We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Wilson & Company. Joining their firm will allow us to become one team with the same vision. I’m thrilled at this new prospect and look forward to what the future holds.”

Wilson & Company and Western Air Maps have a long working relationship collaborating on several projects such as Corps of Engineers Boundary Surveys in Kansas and Missouri; transmission corridor surveying and mapping in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas; railroad and highway transportation corridor mapping throughout the Midwest; and floodplain mapping in the Southwest.

Western Air Maps’ Eric Cenovich and Scott R. Perkins have been named Associate Vice Presidents with Wilson & Company. Cenovich will manage the geospatial services of the Survey, Geospatial, and Remote Sensing Division and Perkins will manage the Division’s Sales and Marketing tasks. Wilson & Company’s Vice President Ryan Branfort will transition into the role of Manager for the entire Division, replacing Ronald Drake upon his retirement at the close of 2009.

Photogrammetry is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the processes of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant energy and other phenomena. The data gathered are used to produce a variety of mapping products that are used in engineering design and planning processes.

Celebrating 76 years of service, Wilson & Company’s International Headquarters are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The firm was founded in 1932 and is a multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, surveying, mapping, and planning firm employing staff throughout its 17 office locations. The firm provides services to a diverse client base including federal and municipal governments, public transportation agencies, railroad companies, industrial and commercial corporations, private developers, and renewable energy companies.


Contact:

Erin Casey
1700 East Iron Ave.
Salina, Kansas 67101
Tel.: 785-820-2619
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