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DGR Engineering is pleased to announce the opening of its new office space in Luverne, Minnesota, expanding the firm’s presence in southwest Minnesota and strengthening its ability to serve clients throughout the region. This addition builds on the firm’s longstanding relationships with clients throughout the tri-state area and reflects its commitment to providing trusted engineering services close to the communities it serves.
“We appreciate the growing number of clients we are working with in the southwest Minnesota area.” stated Curt Dieren, President of DGR Engineering. “Our new Luverne office presence will help us perform this work more efficiently and in support of the continued infrastructure improvements in the area.”
Two familiar faces will be the primary individuals working from the new location:
Matt Knips, PE is the office manager for the new office. Matt is a Luverne native and has been employed with DGR Engineering’s Rock Rapids office since his graduation from South Dakota State University in 2013. Over the years, he has been involved in a variety of civil projects throughout Luverne, Adrian, Pipestone, Hendricks, Ellsworth, Hardwick, Brewster and Windom; with one of the more recent projects being the TH 75 Utility Improvements project in Luverne, in conjunction with MnDOT.
Brian Meyer, PE is the head of Aviation Services at DGR and has served as the Luverne airport engineer for more than 20 years, including the last 14 years at DGR Engineering. Brian brings experience from hundreds of airport projects at more than 100 airports throughout the region.
In addition to Matt and Brian, the Luverne office will be supported by a broader team of DGR professionals who bring specialized expertise from across the company. As DGR Engineering continues to grow its presence in southwest Minnesota, clients will have access to the wide range of engineering, planning and technical support services offered by DGR Engineering.
This collaborative approach allows DGR Engineering to provide local service backed by the depth, experience, and capabilities of a full-service consulting firm, ensuring communities in Luverne and the surrounding region receive responsive solutions tailored to their needs.
Ethan Hoefert (Rock Rapids, IA), Benjamin Horner (Hartford, SD), Simon Konechne (Rock Rapids, IA), Tayla Lovan (Iowa City, IA), and Nathan VanDeBerg (Brandon, SD) have each been selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, involvement in engineering-related activities, and potential to make meaningful contributions to the engineering profession.
Ethan Hoefert (Rock Rapids, IA)
A senior Civil Engineering major at South Dakota State University, Hoefert is actively involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Civil and Environmental Engineering Mentorship Program, the Steel Bridge Team, and the SDSU Pheasants Forever Chapter. He also participates in intramural basketball.
Benjamin Horner (Hartford, SD)
Horner is a senior Civil Engineering major at South Dakota State University. He serves as Chapter Vice President of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, and is a member of ASCE, Adopt Brookings, and ASDSO.
Simon Konechne (Rock Rapids, IA)
A senior Electrical Engineering major at South Dakota State University, Konechne combines his academic pursuits with campus involvement, including participation in intramural flag football.
Tayla Lovan (Iowa City, IA) (no photo)
Lovan is a senior Electrical Engineering major at the University of Iowa. She serves as Chair and President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is involved with the Society of Women Engineers as both a photographer and First Year Council member. She also participates in intramural soccer.
Nathan VanDeBerg (Brandon, SD)
A senior Civil Engineering major at Dordt University, VanDeBerg is a member of the university’s men’s basketball team and is active in both ASCE and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Since 1995, DGR Engineering has awarded scholarships to help support and encourage the next generation of engineering and land surveying professionals. The scholarship program reflects the firm’s long-standing commitment to education, professional development, and the future of the industries it serves.
The DGR Engineering Scholarships are awarded annually to students who:
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- Have completed at least 45 semester credit hours by June 1
- Are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate engineering or land surveying program in the upper Midwest
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
Kole Hermann of Kadoka, South Dakota, has been awarded a DGR Engineering Technician Scholarship. Hermann received the $2,000 scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year in recognition of his academic achievements and potential for success as an engineering technician.
A graduate of Kadoka Area High School, Hermann will attend Southeast Technical College this fall as a full-time student in the Land Surveying Science Technology program. During high school, he was a four-year honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society, a four-year class president, and participated in football, basketball, track, and FFA.
The DGR Engineering Technician Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing degrees in construction management, engineering-related technician programs, or land surveying technology programs within the Upper Midwest who maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference is given to applicants pursuing civil, electrical, environmental, or agricultural engineering technician fields.
DGR Engineering established the scholarship to encourage and support the next generation of engineering professionals and technicians while promoting the advancement of the engineering profession throughout the region.
