LENEXA, Kan. — Henderson Companies, the parent company of Henderson Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions, is proud to announce 32 employees as the firm’s newest principals and associates. This leadership recognition was given to individuals who have helped champion Henderson’s vision and purpose by engaging and empowering others within the company towards collective success.

“Congratulations to our 2022 class of principals and associates, which represents a wide variety of disciplines across our company,” said Kevin Lewis, Henderson’s CEO and president. “These individuals are not only exceptional in their roles, they are also inspirational and motivational leaders to those around them. They genuinely champion Henderson and our clients not because it’s part of their day-to-day roles, but because they care deeply about our shared prosperity.”

Henderson’s newest principals include the following individuals:

• Brian Alessi – Sustainability Director
• Katelyn DePenning – Venue Sector Lead Project Manager, Practice Manager
• Josh Hover – Retail Sector Technical Manager
• Jake Katzenberger – Health Sector Technical Director
• David Leddy – Business Sector Warehouse Practice Director, Business Sector Workplace Practice Director
• Mike Mierkowski – Community Sector Client Relationship Director
• Doug Norman – Client Sector Practice Director
• Josh Norris – Software Development Manager
• Adam Roth – BIM/VDC Director
• Sean Turner – Innovation & Research Director
• Dan Webb – Electrical Technical Director

Henderson’s newest associates include the following individuals:

• Daric Adair – Venue Sector Technical Manager, Energy Analyst
• Scott Bikson – Venue Sector Plumbing Technical Manager
• Allison Black – Venue Sector Client Relationship Director
• Laura Brandt – Community Sector Technical Manager
• Joe Chick – Construction Operations Director, Construction Management Technical Manager
• Brett Crask – Retail Sector Practice Manager
• Dani Dahlgren – Retail Sector Marketing Manager
• Angela Faught – Retail Sector Lead Electrical Engineer, Technical Manager
• Amanda Giles – Internal Communications Manager
• Liz Greer – Health Sector Behavioral Health Practice Director
• Dennis Hagler – Client Sector Refrigeration Technical Director
• Barbara Hoppas – Client Sector Practice Director
• Bryan Jimenez – Community Sector Practice Manager
• Tyler Johnson – Venue Sector Practice Manager
• Mardi Jones – Client Sector Practice Manager
• Tyler Kraus – Client Sector Practice Director
• Jaydip Sen – Health Sector Infrastructure Practice Director
• Chad Vande Velde – Retail Sector Lead Project Manager, Practice Manager
• Ed Welsh – Information Security Manager
• Janelle Whisler – Talent Development Manager
• Lexie Zimmerman – Retail Sector Practice Manager

While many firms in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry utilize principal to designate “ownership” of company shares, as an employee-owned firm, company ownership at Henderson isn’t limited to principals. All Henderson employees, regardless of rank or title, are beneficial owners of the firm through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), which allows them to save for retirement without investing any of their own funds.

“Despite recently becoming 100% employee owned, we’ve preserved the principal and associate titles because of their long history as signifiers of authority and influence at our firm and within the broader AEC industry,” explained Lewis. “The individuals who earn these designations demonstrate a special knack for leadership, commitment, and resourcefulness that will guide us into the future and safeguard the legacy of our firm.”