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 maintains the same spirit of passion, advancement and partnership on which the company was built. With approximately 170 employees, and five locations in the upper Midwest, DGR looks forward to many more decades of helping businesses, schools and communities grow, and building the foundation for every day.
DGR Engineering has been selected for a Top Workplaces honor by The Des Moines Register every year 2018-2023. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
“We are delighted that our employees saw fit once again to confirm that DGR Engineering is a great place to work,” said Blair Metzger, President of DGR Engineering. “Receiving the Top Workplace award again this year reinforces that DGR Engineering is a company that attracts and retains the best talent. We continue to be excited about the future of our growing company, the great clients for which we work, and the wonderful area of the country in which we are located.”
"During this very challenging time, Top Workplaces has proven to be a beacon of light for organizations, as well as a sign of resiliency and strong business performance," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward. Top Workplaces draw on real-time insights into what works best for their organization, so they can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their people and their business."
Circle of Excellence - 2014-2023
DGR Engineering has once again been selected for PSMJ Resources, Inc.’s Circle of Excellence list as one of 68 exceptional architecture and engineering firms across the country. DGR Engineering has earned this award every year since 2014.
PSMJ Resources, Inc. is a leading 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 339 participants were named to The Circle of Excellence list. Participating firms were evaluated by comparing 13 key performance measurements important to the successful operation of an engineering business against industry benchmarks developed through evaluation of data.
“DGR Engineering has been selected for this honor ten years in a row, illustrating a consistent pattern of operation.” says Blair Metzger, DGR Engineering President. “We are constantly mindful that we owe our success to the many loyal clients who continuously partner with us as they develop their projects. Our steady growth in staff reflects the needs of our clients. This steady growth allows us to develop, and keep, long-term relationships that are mutually fruitful. Receiving this honor is a result of being entrusted by our clients to provide trusted, professional solutions to their needs.”
“Each year, the Circle of Excellence firms come from all corners of the A/E space. This diversity demonstrates that success isn’t defined by a specific firm size, location, or market niche,” says Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA, Founder and CEO of PSMJ Resources. “The top-performing firms just think and act differently from the rest of the pack to achieve extraordinary business performance.” “The firms recognized in the Circle of Excellence set the standard for outstanding and sustainable business results,” says Stasiowski. “Some firms have been in this prestigious group year after year!”
Since PSMJ created the award in 2006, Circle of Excellence members have consistently represented all industry facets. “The key differentiator between PSMJ’s Circle of Excellence and other industry awards is that all firms in the A/E industry are eligible. Members are not rewarded for a single outcome, but on 13 factors that drive the overall performance of a firm,” says Dave Burstein, P.E., Senior Principal at PSMJ.
About PSMJ
For almost 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.
PSMJ Platinum Award - 2017-2023
PSMJ Resources, Inc. this year recognized the 24 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 2023 A/E Financial Performance Benchmark Survey Report. Earlier this year, PSMJ Resources, Inc., announced the 68 exceptional architecture and engineering firms that made it onto the 2023 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 tenth year in a row that DGR Engineering has been selected to the Circle of Excellence, and the sixth consecutive year being named a Platinum Award winner.
For nearly 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.