Normandeau Associates, an environmental and public involvement firm based in Bedford, New Hampshire, has opened an office in downtown Vancouver. According to company Vice President Tim Brush, Normandeau has worked in the Northwest since the early 1990s, particularly in the area of hydro power and fish passage. The company also has offices in Stevenson and Wenatchee. The Vancouver office will serve as the Northwest headquarters for the company. Growth of the area and the Endangered Species Act issues present significant opportunities, said Brush. An area of emphasis for the company will be transportation projects.
Vancouver office staff are already involved in the Main Street streetscape improvement project and the State Route 502 extension project. Kent Snyder, natural resources manager was hired to manage the Washington offices. Snyder was most recently with Vancouver’s The JD White Co. He is joined in Normandeau’s Vancouver office by three other former JD White employees, including Karen Ciocia, public involvement manager.
JD White has been in the community for 30 years, and with competition coming from big and small firms and local and national companies, one more does not affect the competitive environment much, said President John White.
"I am surprised more firms are not in the marketplace given the growth," he said.
JD White expects to continue adding staff, with an emphasis on furthering connections in Oregon, said White.
Brush said expanding its presence here is part of Normandeau’s long-term business plan.
"As opportunities present themselves we will grow accordingly," he said.
Normadeau was founded in 1970 and has about 170 employees nationwide.
