1954
Walt Hanson with two partners, created Walter E. Hanson & Associates, a bridge design engineering firm, in Springfield, Ill.

1956
Changed name to Hanson, Collins & Rice, branched out into areas of soil mechanics and foundation engineering.

1961
Became sole proprietorship, Walter E. Hanson.

1965
Opened an office in Peoria, Ill.

1972
Reorganized as Hanson Engineers Inc., an employee-owned company.

1979
The Rockford, Ill., office opened.

1990
Created a Chicago field office.

1992
Created an office in Chantilly, Va., serving the D.C. area. Was the first office outside Illinois.

1993
Opened an office in Kansas City, Mo.

William J. Murray and Associates merged with Hanson Engineers Inc., creating the airport department.

1994
The Chicago field office became permanent and located in LaGrange.

1994
Opened an office in Atlanta, Ga.

1994
Opened a California office in San Francisco.

1996
LaGrange office relocated to Oak Brook.

1997
Acquired The BARC Group, office in Wayne, N.J., expanding capabilities in the telecommunications market and adding architectural, mechanical and electrical services.

Merged with Ralph Hahn and Associates. The addition of its staff and offices in Springfield, Ill., and in Orlando and West Palm Beach, Fla., created more emphasis on comprehensive services including architecture and mechanical and electrical engineering.

Opened an office in Bellevue, Wash., to serve the Pacific Northwest.

1999
Established office in Indianapolis, Ind., to serve public works projects.

1999
California office relocated to Sacramento area.

2000
Acquired the transportation/infrastructure group of Kenneth Balk & Associates, giving us a St. Louis office, expanding our transportation capability in the St. Louis metro area and Missouri and adding specialized hydrographic surveying capability.

2001
Changed name to Hanson Professional Services Inc.

2003
Opened office in North Andover, Mass.

2004
Hanson Professional Services Inc. celebrated 50 years of service.

2005
Opened office in Jacksonville, Fla.

Acquired W.R. Coles and Associates, giving us a Nashville, Tenn. office, and adding specialized ports, harbors and economic development services.

2006
Founder, Walter E. Hanson, inducted into the Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame.