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OCTOBER 2, 2017 • HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL | 73 Since 1991, AI Engineers, Inc. (AI) has been providing high-quality engineering services, earning a reputation as a leader in the industry. Founded by Abul Islam, PE, FASCE, President and CEO, in his Middletown, Connecticut home, AI began with a handful of employees and a single computer, focused on bridge engineering services, and has since grown into a multistate, multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm, serving public and private entities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Since its inception, AI's service portfolio has grown to include bridge engineering, transportation engineering, construction management, construction engineering and inspection, civil engineering, building systems engineering (MEP) as well as Design-Build services. Headquartered in Middletown, AI currently employs a staff of approximately 180 people and has established offices in New York and Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Cranston, Rhode Island; and Richmond, Virginia. Industry Kudos AI has completed thousands of projects and has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in consulting engineering. Some of the firm's more recent notable projects include the Waterbury Bus Maintenance Facility, CTfastrak Contract 1 in New Britain, the Reconstruction of I-84 in Waterbury and Steelpointe Roadway Reconstruction in Bridgeport. In recognition of its top-notch services, cost-effective and on-budget/on- time solutions, AI has received numerous industry awards. Engineering New-Record (ENR) named AI as one of the Top 500 Design Firms for 2017. Additionally, ENR New England and Mid Atlantic cited the firm as one of the 2017 Top 100 Design Firms. The Hartford Business Journal named AI to its list of the Largest Engineering Firms in the Greater Hartford area. For its work on the Steelpointe Roadway Reconstruction project, in 2016 AI received the ACEC-CT Merit Achievement Award; the CMAA CT Chapter 2016 Project Achievement Award, Infrastructure Under $25 Million; and the 2016 Transportation ACE Award of Merit from the ASCE, Connecticut Society of Engineers. In 2015, AI earned accolades for its work on the CTfastrak Contract 1, receiving the ACEC 2015 National Recognition Award and the ACEC CT 2015 Engineering Excellence Award. Community Partners While AI has become a regional leader in the engineering services industry, the firm has also become known for its philanthropy. Founder Abul Islam and other key individuals at AI are intimately involved with Hartford Public High School's Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (AoEGT). Islam served on the board at its inception, and AI has maintained a presence on the board ever since. Islam and many other AI employees donate their time to the school in a variety of volunteer capacities. AI is actively working to move into the future by investing in technology and creating a culture where employees feel invested in AI and its success. Fragmentation in the industry is a growing concern, so AI is empowering staff to address the issue and support clients with better construction delivery methods and new technology. They have added a new, high-speed, 3-D laser scanner that produces images used to create BIM models, as well as a UAV to their arsenal. Over the last few years, AI's staff has nearly doubled in size, so they have also added approximately 9,000 square feet to their existing 16,000-square-foot headquarters. "We want our employees to feel they have a stake in AI," Islam said. "We are focusing on mentoring and cross-training across disciplines, increasing communication and doing everything we can to support our growing staff." From Solo Start to Regional Leader: AI Celebrates 25 Years AI Engineers, Inc. Address: 919 Middle St., Middletown, CT 06457 Phone: 860-635-7740 Web: www.aiengineers.com Retrospectives Abul Islam, PE, FASCE - President/CEO Waterbury Bus Maintenance Facility, Waterbury, CT CTfastrak Contract 1, New Britain, CT