Expertise in environmental services has always been important, but today and in the future, it will become even more important for clients to choose a provider with the right mix of technical expertise, knowledgeable staff and advanced technology. After spending some time talking with Mike Hagemeister, P.E., national director of environmental services at Terracon, it’s clear the company is positioned to lead.
Founded in 1965, Terracon has grown steadily and strategically into a leading environmental, geotechnical, facilities, and materials firm, now with over 180 offices and 1,500 environmental professionals across the U.S.
However, size and scale are only a snapshot of its impact. Beneath the surface lies Terracon’s identity as an employee-owned firm and a company that sees its work as being at the intersection of the natural and the built world—a point Hagemeister refers to often.
“When you look at who we are as a company,” he says, “It really starts with the fact that we’re employee-owned. That ownership means every decision we make matters—not just for our clients, but for everyone who works here.”
This shared sense of responsibility—both to one another and to the world we build in—enables Terracon to deliver comprehensive solutions across industries while staying aligned with its environmental and community-centered goals.
Engineering Urban Renewal
Terracon’s portfolio includes work in nearly every sector—from transportation and infrastructure to commercial real estate, energy, and manufacturing. Yet the common thread running through all its projects is the attention to detail on environmental stewardship and long-term community benefit.
One example is Terracon’s work with Parks for Downtown Dallas, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing green space in the heart of one of America’s fastest-growing cities. The organization had a bold vision: reclaim underutilized urban lots and transform them into public parks. The goal was to create recreational areas and vibrant, sustainable gathering places that could improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Thanks to Terracon’s integrated approach and multidisciplinary expertise, the firm supported the creation of four new parks totaling 16 acres. Today, those once-blighted spaces are thriving community oases, with native landscaping, walking trails, playgrounds, and cultural installations.
Mission-Driven Evolution in Environmental Stewardship
Projects like this reflect Terracon’s broader mission to improve the built environment while protecting and enhancing the natural world. That mission is becoming more urgent as environmental concerns, climate pressures, and community expectations all continue to evolve.
Rather than simply reacting to those changes, Terracon is investing in the future. The company has significantly expanded its capabilities in areas such as sustainability consulting, resiliency planning, and cultural and natural resource management. This evolution is partly in response to client demand, employee demand, and partly because the leadership team sees it as mission critical.
“Clients today aren’t just asking us about what’s possible now,” says Hagemeister. “They’re asking what will be possible, resilient, and compliant—five, ten, even twenty years from now. Our job is to stay ahead of the curve.”
This forward-thinking approach shaped several recent acquisitions. Over the past two years, Terracon acquired four firms with specialized environmental expertise: Sage Environmental (Rhode Island), Harbor Environmental and Flat Earth Archeology (both in Arkansas), and Metcalf Archaeological Consultants (Colorado). Each brought highly specialized knowledge to Terracon’s toolkit, particularly in regulatory strategy, sustainability services, and historic preservation.
Shaping the Future of Environmental Consulting
While these acquisitions strengthened Terracon’s technical reach, they also were a cultural fit for who the company is and where it wants to go.
For example, Sage Environmental’s strength in brownfield redevelopment and environmental compliance aligned perfectly with Terracon’s growing focus on urban regeneration. Harbor Environmental, with deep roots in industrial compliance, brought a complementary blend of technical rigor and regional knowledge. And Metcalf and Flat Earth, both respected leaders in cultural and archaeological consulting, expanded Terracon’s ability to support projects sensitive to our history and cultural resources.
This diversification isn’t just strategic—it’s essential. Environmental consulting is no longer just about soil and groundwater. It’s about helping clients navigate a complex ecosystem of federal, state, and local regulations, community engagement, climate risk, and investor scrutiny. Terracon is positioning itself as a one-stop partner that can offer both broad expertise and specific, nuanced insight.
Much of the firm’s adaptability stems from its employee-ownership model. Everyone at Terracon has a stake in the outcome, financially and professionally. This structure creates a high level of accountability and fuels a culture of mentorship and collaboration. Younger professionals are encouraged to learn from more experienced colleagues through formal training and on-the-job exposure.
Holistic Approach to Environmental and Social Impact
The internal commitment to continuous learning for our people is paired with a rigorous quality assurance process. Every project, regardless of scope, is subject to technical review to ensure that the company delivers its best.
Delivering its best is a guiding principle for Terracon that extends beyond the offices into the communities where employee-owners live and work. Through the Terracon Foundation, the company has donated millions of dollars to educational institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations nationwide. The Foundation also supports scholarships for students pursuing careers in engineering and the geosciences—an investment in the profession’s future.
Terracon’s leadership is under no illusion that the environmental challenges ahead will be easy. Climate volatility, shifting regulations, and social pressures will only intensify. But they see those challenges as opportunities—chances to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and build trust through action.
Building a Better Future
The company’s mindset—equal parts technical and human—is what has allowed Terracon to grow with intention. The firm’s strategy focuses on our people, innovation, and client-centric solutions. Each pillar is interconnected. Investing in talent fuels innovation which enhances client outcomes and drives market leadership.
Still, Terracon’s success won’t be defined just by size or revenue. Its real impact lies in the tangible ways it helps communities thrive—whether that’s turning parking lots into parks, guiding developers through complex cleanups, or simply showing up, day after day, as a trusted local partner and community member.
As the environmental landscape continues to shift, one thing remains clear: Terracon isn’t just keeping up—it’s leading the way, not with flashy marketing or trendy buzzwords, but with solid science, local knowledge, and a deep commitment to building sustainable and resilient places for people to live, work, and connect.
