As we wind down 2025, I think it is fun to look ahead to all that’s in store for the Howell Companies in 2026.  I’ve always felt the past is a lesson, and the future is a destination. We never have full control over that destination, but it’s always good to look ahead and plan.

So… what are we prepared for? Well, first, we are prepared to continue offering the best civil engineering, land surveying and environmental services throughout the tri-state area, but we also plan to expand these services further, both geographically and in terms of professional services.

We plan to continue learning from our mistakes and try to improve on them rather than repeat them. We plan to continue investing in the technology our business relies on so heavily, including exploring AI for analyzing complex earthwork computations. Gone are the days of drawing lines on plans without considering the cost of literally everything we draw. Now more than ever, cost, in all its forms, is front and center in the design thought process. The old days were dominated by “who is the low bidder in engineering,” whereas now the cost to design PLUS the cost to construct is paramount. We are prepared to continue refining our processes for greater efficiency.

It has often been said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but the shortest distance between two people is a story. This lesson goes less to telling a story and more to listening to those we design for, those we are in front of for project approvals and those who may not always be aligned with the projects we propose.

With today’s technology, concerned parties on projects have tremendous ability to coordinate and communicate their concerns. The need for clear communication is more important now than ever. In 2026, we will be working hard not only on client communication but also on the coordination and presentation of projects to all parties involved. Engineering is as much about people as it is design.

In 2025, I attended an event at West Chester University featuring various CEOs and business leaders from Chester County. A question posed by the University's President really struck me. It was… “If you had one suggestion for us to teach young people coming out of school, what would it be?”

Everyone looked around, looked at each other and then, almost in unison, answered… “conflict resolution”. I could not possibly agree more. Everywhere we look, there is conflict, and as engineers, we are tasked not only with solving problems but also with resolving conflicts.

In 2026, we will focus hard on solid, cost-effective engineering, continue investing in the technology of our profession, and find the shortest time path from project conception to approval. We will always have conflict, but in ’26 we will work to resolve it and keep things moving forward.

Onward and upward.