Rewind and Reflect: 2024 Year in Review

January 7, 2025

2024 was a year where every moment marked milestones achieved, memories made and growth realized.

Halff has been diligently improving lives and communities for nearly seven and a half decades, since our firm’s founding in 1950.

As we say goodbye to 2024, let’s rewind back to the seven and a half biggest moments of the year!

1. New Year, New Leader!

Get to know Halff’s newest President and CEO in our Q&A article!

We started 2024 off with a bang by welcoming in Halff’s new President and CEO: Jessica Baker Daily!

Jessica began her career as an intern at Halff 20 years ago, and she previously served on the Leadership Team as chief people officer and chief marketing officer.

Halff’s previous President/CEO Mark Edwards had this to say about his successor:

“Jessica has so many special qualities that make her uniquely qualified to be our president and CEO. She’s a staunch believer and protector of our unique people-first culture. She understands that the financial stability of our firm means financial stability for you. And she is a servant leader who has a huge heart for everyone in the Halff family.”

2. Awards Galore

Halff was honored to win multiple best workplace/best employer awards in 2024:

3. Growing Strong Together

Halff officially crossed the 1,500-employee mark in 2024, which was a huge year for the growth of our firm. Nearly 75 years and we’re not slowing down! We celebrated by reminiscing and reflecting on personal growth with a couple of our longest-tenured employees.

Speaking of personal growth, we had more than 75 employees earn a new license or certification this year. We also had 90 young professionals begin or continue their careers with an internship at Halff. Way to take the next step, everyone!

4. Open Houses

Nine Halff offices opened their doors to host open houses in 2024. These events aim to strengthen relationships with our clients and local communities.

The San Antonio (left), Houston (middle) and McAllen offices organized open houses to mark their anniversaries of improving lives and communities in their regions.

The Woodlands (left) and Baton Rouge offices also hosted open houses to showcase their new locations and inform the community about their opening/relocation.

5. Turning Heads with Our Work

One of Halff’s most recent gold medal project is the RM 620 Railroad Overpass and Roundabout project in Round Rock, Texas. It also won Public Works Project of the Year from APWA-TX in 2024.

We wouldn’t be anywhere without the incredible work our people do on our projects every day.

2024 was a banner year for recognition in our industry, with Halff taking home 23 project awards.

One of the highlights of the year was our sweep of the ACEC Texas awards, in which Halff received a gold medal in each of the three categories we entered!

Congratulations to everyone who produced award-winning work this year!

6. Opening New Doors

Halff finalized its acquisition of Orlando-based Singhofen & Associates, Inc. on April 1, 2024.

It was a big year for expansion at Halff, as we opened doors to new geographies and partnerships.

Halff joined forces in April with Singhofen & Associates, a water resources firm based in Orlando. Thirty Singhofen employees joined the Halff family, and their expertise has strengthened our growing presence in Florida.

Additionally, Halff opened a new office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, our fifth in the Natural State. Brian Maurer is serving as operations manager of the office, which is providing exceptional water/wastewater, water resources, public works, transportation and landscape architecture services to a wide variety of clients.

7. Raising Funds for Good

Another year led to another successful HCI Giving Week!

Employees across our offices gathered to support Halff Community Initiative (HCI) during our annual fundraising week. Together, we raised more than $11,000 in donations during HCI Giving Week alone!

The spirit of service was in the air as we volunteered more than 680 hours during HCI Giving Week to serve our communities.

7.5 Making Big Moves

The City of Richardson made a big announcement… Drumroll, please!

Halff’s Richardson office, the firm’s largest office, is set to relocate and expand to a new space later in 2025.

“For the past 17 years, we have proudly called Richardson home and look forward to many more,” said Halff President and CEO Jessica Baker Daily. “Guided by the same people-focused approach established by Dr. Albert Halff nearly 75 years ago, we are dedicated to turning ideas into reality and improving the lives of the communities we serve.”

Stay tuned for this office move coming soon!

A new year is another chance to honor and thank our partners, clients and employees who make our success possible.

We look forward to what 2025 holds — which certainly includes improving lives and communities by turning ideas into reality!