McLaren Engineering Group has a long list of achievements and a deep talent pool to envy.
The company, with corporate headquarters in West Nyack, has designed stages not only for concerts by U2, The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner but also for the annual hot dog-eating contest held in Coney Island each Fourth of July.
Then there are the giant robotic sculptures created for the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, the SeaGlass Carousel made for Battery Park and the renovation of the Longacre Theater, part of Broadway history.
But for every acclaimed project that captures the public”™s imagination, there are those that simply help communities keep moving. These involve designs for ferry terminals and bridges, piers and wharfs and even waterfront parks.
It”™s also just a part of what has kept McLaren thriving for more than 30 years ”“ especially in the years since the economic downturn began in 2008, said William J. McCarthy III, the company”™s director of business development recently named a vice president.
“We were one of the few companies that weathered the storm,” McCarthy said. “While most firms experience decline and layoffs, we experienced just the opposite. We were able to maintain staff and even hire in specific divisions.”
And the reason for that viability, which also led to the recently announced round of hirings and promotions, is due to one important aspect.
“We attribute that to the diversity of the firm,” he said.
The recognition for McCarthy, a 10-year McLaren veteran who has provided support to all technical divisions and offices, was one of four moves announced by the company this month.
Gregory Kelly, with 18 years”™ experience as a structural engineer specializing in sustainable design, was recently hired as structures division chief. Khan Rahman, a 30-year veteran of the field, was hired as chief engineer of the bridge division, and Stephen D. Frech was promoted to marine division manager.
Each division in the company ”“ from structural to marine, surveying to waterborne transportation, among others ”“ has, McCarthy said, its “own set of talents, expertise and staff.”
And that pool of talent is being expanded and rewarded.
“It”™s really in response to a growth, so to speak,” McCarthy said.
In addition, he said, it”™s a reaction to the company”™s direction ”“ moving firmly forward.
The moves, McCarthy said, were not reactions to client requests but rather the company”™s own response to “current growth” and expanded objectives and goals.
“It has nothing to do with clients,” he said. “It has to do with our own growth and initiatives.”
Areas of focus include sustainable and renewable energy ”“ the company has completed more than 120 projects in this field ”“ and response to events, often those related to weather.
Last summer”™s Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, McCarthy said, yielded notable work such as McLaren”™s teaming up with Halmar International to complete a $14.1 million emergency reconstruction of the bridges along State Route 42 in Greene County for the New York State Department of Transportation.
“We do a lot of that response work, as well,” he said.
