About Us
The foundation for DGR Engineering was laid in 1952, when young electrical engineer John DeWild left his job at Rock Rapids Utilities to pursue his dreams. Soon after, he met with electrical engineer Dick Grant. A simple handshake built a business and partnership that would endure for decades. In 1954 Bob Reckert was added to the expanding engineering firm, and together they formed DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company, known today as DGR Engineering.
More than 70 years after that single handshake, DGR Engineering maintains the same spirit of passion, advancement and partnership on which the company was built. With approximately 190 employees, and seven locations in the upper Midwest, DGR Engineering looks forward to many more decades of helping businesses, schools and communities grow, and building the foundation for every day.
DGR Engineering has been recognized with “Top Workplaces” honors by Iowa Top Workplaces, The Des Moines Register and Energage, Great Plains Top Workplaces. The honor is based on employee feedback gathered through a third-party anonymous survey. The survey is administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC and measures multiple cultural drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. DGR Engineering has earned this award each year starting in 2018.
“We’re honored to again be recognized with these respected awards,” said Curt Dieren, President of DGR Engineering. “The continued success of our company comes from the strong relationships we’ve built with our clients and the dedication of our talented team. We strive to create a workplace where people feel valued and empowered, and we believe that this combination of loyal clients and engaged employees is what makes a difference.”
About Energage,LLC
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
Circle of Excellence - 2014-2026
For the 13th consecutive year, DGR Engineering has been selected for PSMJ Resources, Inc.’s exclusive “Circle of Excellence” as one of 61 exceptional architecture and engineering firms across the country. DGR Engineering has earned this award each year starting in 2014.
DGR Engineering is also one of 25 firms that have earned the coveted Platinum Award from PSMJ, which recognizes 2026 Circle of Excellence firms who have made it into the Circle of Excellence for four out of the past five years.
PSMJ Resources is a management consulting firm for the architecture and engineering industries. Each year PSMJ conducts a survey of firms to highlight those who are successful in areas such as productivity, business development, staff growth, staff turnover, and overhead management. Only 20 percent of this year’s 318 participants were named to The Circle of Excellence list. Participating firms were evaluated by comparing several key performance measurements important to the successful operation of an engineering business against industry benchmarks developed through evaluation of data.
About PSMJ For more than 50 years, PSMJ Resources, Inc. has been recognized as the leading publishing, executive education, and advisory group devoted completely to improving the business performance of AEC organizations worldwide. PSMJ’s sought-after expertise covers a range of critical business areas such as project management, financial management, human resources, business development, transition planning, and mergers and acquisitions.
PSMJ Platinum Award - 2017-2026
PSMJ Resources, Inc. this year recognized the 25 firms that are Platinum Award winners, which have remained on the Circle of Excellence list for at least four of the past five years.
The Circle of Excellence is comprised of the top 20% of participants – across 13 key performance indicators – in PSMJ’s 2026 A/E Financial Performance Benchmark Survey Report. Earlier this year, PSMJ Resources, Inc., announced the 61 exceptional architecture and engineering firms that made it onto the 2026 Circle of Excellence list.
PSMJ designed the Circle of Excellence to highlight the best-in-class architecture and engineering firms that demonstrate outstanding achievements in areas such as low staff turnover, operating overhead rate and labor utilization.
PSMJ’s Circle of Excellence debuted in 2006 and, since then, it is also worth noting that 9 firms have made it into the Circle of Excellence ten (or more) years, including DGR Engineering.
“Making it into the Circle of Excellence for even just one year is quite remarkable. However, delivering this kind of performance year after year speaks volumes about the forward-thinking leadership and sound strategy behind these firms,” states PSMJ President Gregory Hart. “This is about so much more than just growth for growth’s sake. This is about having a lasting impact and about building a firm that can withstand changing economic cycles and so much more.”
This is the 13th year in a row that DGR Engineering has been selected to the Circle of Excellence, and the tenth consecutive year being named a Platinum Award winner.
For more than 50 years, PSMJ Resources, Inc. has been recognized as the leading publishing, executive education, and advisory group devoted completely to improving the business performance of A/E/C organizations worldwide. PSMJ’s sought-after expertise covers a range of critical business areas such as project management, financial management, human resources, business development, transition planning, and mergers and acquisitions.