raSmith Welcomes Nicole Smullen, Adds Real Estate Acquisition Services

MADISON, Wis. — Nicole Smullen has joined raSmith as the real estate services manager in the transportation division at the firm’s Brookfield, Wis., office. Smullen will expand the firm’s capabilities by providing real estate acquisition services for infrastructure projects to public sector clients, including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), counties, and local governments.

Smullen brings more than 20 years of experience in transportation infrastructure and utility coordination as a real estate services and utility project manager. Her expertise includes real estate acquisition and negotiation, plat and appraisal reviews, utility conflict resolution, and relocation planning for major roadway and infrastructure projects. She has extensive experience with WisDOT manuals, the Trans 220 process, and compliance with the Federal Uniform Act, giving her a vast understanding of state and federal requirements that guide successful project delivery. Smullen brings a cross-disciplinary, collaborative mindset to her work by organizing a team early in the project and ensuring everyone shares the objective of completing right-of-way acquisition on time to maintain construction schedules.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nicole, whose real estate expertise will strengthen our team’s ability to support clients across complex projects,” said John Elkin, P.E., raSmith director of transportation services. “Her skills will not only elevate the transportation division’s integrated solutions, but also streamline coordination with multiple project stakeholders.”

Smullen is a WisDOT-approved Local Public Agency negotiation consultant, licensed as a real estate salesperson in Wisconsin, and is a member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA). She holds a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in criminology and law studies from Marquette University.

About raSmith

raSmith is a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm established in the city of Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1978. Our services include civil engineering, structural engineering, transportation and traffic, land surveying, geographic information systems (GIS), development management, landscape architecture, ecological services, construction services, LiDAR (3D laser scanning), and UAS (unmanned aircraft systems). We work on projects nationwide from our six locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and California. The firm employs a staff of 220. For more information about raSmith, visit www.rasmith.com.

Mead & Hunt Announces Laurie Whitney as Architecture & Building Engineering Group Leader

MADISON, WIS. – January 28, 2026 – Mead & Hunt has announced Laurie Whitney as Architecture & Building Engineering (ABE) Group Leader. With 11 years at Mead & Hunt and nearly three decades of experience in architecture, Laurie brings diversified market expertise, a passion for developing people and capabilities, and a vision to transform communities through inspiring, innovative design.

“Laurie is a strategic thinker, and she believes when we invest in people, great results follow,” said Amy Squitieri, Chief Executive Officer. “She’s expanded our design and technology capabilities and built a reputation for delivering on ambitious goals. The ABE group’s future is in excellent hands.”

As Group Leader, Laurie will focus on evolving a forward-thinking, client-focused team that blends creativity with technical excellence. She is committed to empowering teams and future leaders, fostering innovation, and positioning Mead & Hunt as a trusted partner in shaping communities. Her deep knowledge of internal and external operations has also positioned her to play a key role in driving Mead & Hunt’s future-readiness initiative, guiding groups to unify processes, implement centralized systems, and support employees through change management.

Before joining Mead & Hunt in 2014, Laurie built her career across healthcare, education, military facilities, residential, and retail markets, giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on architectural practice. That breadth of experience, combined with her background as a former firm owner, prepared her for rapid growth at Mead & Hunt, working with public and private clients to deliver military, education, research, and aviation facilities. She joined as a project manager, became department manager for aviation facilities within a year, and was selected as architectural business unit leader for the eastern region soon after. Under her leadership, she tripled her team’s size and revenue, growing from delivering $20 million terminals to $200 million-plus projects.

“Since I was young, I’ve been drawn to the beauty of architecture and the built environment. I believe I was meant to create and give back, and Mead & Hunt’s values of putting people first and doing the right thing align perfectly with that purpose,” said Laurie. “Today, what drives me is understanding what a client wants and developing that into a space that meets their needs while bringing joy and inspiration. Our buildings are not just about architecture. We have engineers, interior architects and designers, and technology experts working collaboratively to create compelling spaces. This is an exciting time to be part of this dynamic group, as we embrace emerging technologies, expand into new markets, and strengthen our people-first focus.”

Beyond Mead & Hunt, Laurie is an active leader in the architecture and engineering community. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Society of American Military Engineers, where she recently chaired the National Architectural Practice Committee. Locally, she serves on the Madison College Architecture Advisory Board, inspires the next generation of AEC professionals through the ACE Mentor Program, and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.

About Mead & Hunt

Mead & Hunt is a national, full-service engineering, architectural, planning, and construction services firm that has been serving clients for 125 years. Since its founding, the employee-owned firm has grown significantly in size and diversity and continues to rank in Engineering News-Record’s Top 100 Design Firms. Today, the company employs more than 1,400 people and works in a variety of markets, including aviation, transportation, cultural resources, food and beverage, renewable energy, water, and federal. For more information, visit www.meadhunt.com.

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Additional quotes or background information

• Laurie Whitney, Mead & Hunt ABE Group Leader

laurie.whitney@meadhunt.com   

608-443-0442

• Amy Squitieri, Mead & Hunt CEO

amy.squitieri@meadhunt.com  

608-443-0400

General media inquiries and photo requests:

• Meghan Stiklestad, Marketing Director
  meghan.stiklestad@meadhunt.com
• 608-443-0378

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mead-&-hunt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meadandhunt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meadandhunt

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user104624764

Community Input Sessions for MMSD Phase 2 Facilities Referendum Set for This Week

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will host a series of upcoming public input sessions focused on Phase 2 projects included in the district’s facilities referendum work.

Session dates, times and locations are as follow:

• Orchard Ridge Elementary School/Akira R. Toki Middle School
  5602 Russett Rd., Madison, WI 53711
  Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria
  
• Cherokee Heights Middle School
  4301 Cherokee Dr., Madison, WI 53711
  Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Library
  
• Ray F. Sennett Middle School
  502 Pflaum Rd., Madison, WI 53716
  Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria

The sessions will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about planned upgrades at these schools and to share feedback directly with the teams responsible for designing and building them.

“Community voice has been central to every step of this work,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD senior executive director of building services. “These sessions give families, neighbors and community members a meaningful opportunity to help shape learning environments that will serve students and the broader public for decades to come.”

Phase 2 projects were made possible by strong community support for the district’s facilities referendum. In addition to improving learning spaces for students, the upgraded schools are designed to function as community assets, supporting neighborhood use and strengthening connections between schools and the communities they serve.

Community members are encouraged to attend the session associated with their school or neighborhood, though all are welcome to participate in any meeting. 

Additional information about MMSD’s facilities referendum projects is available on the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

MMSD Planetarium Director Recognized for National Astronomy Research Leadership

MADISON, Wis.—Ben Senson, director of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Planetarium and a science educator at Madison College, was recently recognized for his leadership in national-level astronomy research through the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP).

Senson participated as an educator mentor in NITARP’s 2025 cohort and was part of a team that presented original research at the recent winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society. The team studied infrared data from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope to see how the centers of distant galaxies change over time, helping scientists better understand how supermassive black holes behave.

“The impact this experience has made on my classroom is in how it crystalised the methods and purpose of science that I communicate to my students,” Senson said..”I want them to separate what science tells us is true about the world around us and how we use that knowledge in solving problems.”

Through NITARP, small groups of educators collaborate with professional astronomers on yearlong, authentic research projects, then bring that experience back to their classrooms and communities. Since its founding, the program has supported more than 150 educators nationwide and has reached thousands of students each year.

“Ben brings an extraordinary level of expertise, curiosity and passion to his work, and that shows in the opportunities he creates for students,” said Matt Hendrickson, principal of Vel Phillips Memorial High School. “His leadership at the planetarium helps make complex scientific ideas accessible and inspiring, while reinforcing that students in MMSD can engage in real, meaningful scientific inquiry.”

Senson’s involvement in NITARP also includes a commitment to professional learning. Educators in the program complete at least 12 hours of professional development for colleagues at the local, regional and national levels, extending the impact of their research well beyond a single classroom or presentation.

“Experiences like this demonstrate the power of connecting rigorous academics with real-world application,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Ben’s work exemplifies how educators can elevate student learning by bridging classroom instruction with authentic research and national partnerships.”

Senson will continue his work with NITARP as part of a self-funded alumni research team in 2026, with plans to present findings at the 2027 American Astronomical Society winter meeting. In addition to his research, he remains deeply engaged in planetarium programming that supports science learning for students across MMSD and the broader Madison community.

For more information about the MMSD Planetarium and its educational offerings, visit the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Vote for raSmith’s photo for cover of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine

raSmith is always thrilled to share the impact that our clients’ projects make, from reshaping infrastructure and improving communities … to potentially highlighting the cover of a national magazine!

raSmith’s project image, shown here, is one of 10 finalists selected from 1,100 entries worldwide for Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s annual Year in Construction photo contest. Industry professionals and others will choose their favorite finalist, which will appear on the cover of ENR’s February 2 issue.

If you’d like to participate, we welcome your support by voting for raSmith’s photo. (One vote per internet-connected device.) The contest ends Thursday, January 22.