Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
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Construction Materials
Engineering & Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
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A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
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Environmental Geology/Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
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Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
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Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
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Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
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Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
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Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
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Dallas/Fort Worth
Austin/San Antonio
Houston
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
Our success strongly depends on our business associates that provide the products and services we need.
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
What do you want to know? Find the answers to common questions.
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
Learn More →
Construction Materials
Engineering & Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
Learn More →
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
Learn More →
Environmental Geology/Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
Learn More →
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
Learn More →
Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
Learn More →
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
Learn More →
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
Learn More →
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
Learn More →
Dallas/Fort Worth
Austin/San Antonio
Houston
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
Our success strongly depends on our business associates that provide the products and services we need.
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
What do you want to know? Find the answers to common questions.
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
HVJ delivers superior engineering services. We delight clients, employees, providers, and franchisees by always developing improved ability to succeed working together. Following is a sampling of comments we’ve received:
Much of HVJ's work is repeat business with long-term clients. Our accomplishments are a direct result of the individual effort and dedication of each HVJ employee and their commitment to the high standards and ideals set by HVJ's Management Team. The keystone of our business is the relationship we establish with each client that translates to a commitment to meet each client's unique needs on their project. Our entire team is trained to listen, take ownership, keep commitments, and stay in touch. Our difference is the unrelenting focus on the improving the ability to interact effectively, which is what makes a difference.
Herbert V. Johnson, PE, established the firm in 1985. We have become one of the largest specialty, minority-owned engineering companies in Texas. We have broadened our service lines by consistently listening to our clients' needs and in response, building our technical capabilities and expertise, providing intelligent analysis of projects and always providing value-added service. We are now recognized as a leader in our fields of expertise and for our knowledge of Texas soil, pavement, and construction conditions.
HVJ Associates provides quality, cost-effective specialty services for many of the landmark projects throughout Texas. We are proud to have participated in many projects that received the Consulting Engineers Council of Texas (CEC-Texas) Engineering Excellence Awards.
To meet our firm's goals of providing superior services for our clients as well as creating opportunities for broadened firm ownership, HVJ Associates, Inc. has created a franchise business structure. We have taken this initiative as it allows us to expand our reach while preserving the firm's characteristics that our clients value. The business structure provides for local ownership, closer to the clients and communities that the business serves. The franchise component provides a cohesive system following our proven, successful business model and practices. Our franchise offices are created from our former offices, with the personnel, project experience, and equipment from those offices. The franchisee companies have been formed by trusted former employees of the firm.
HVJ Associates® corporate owned and franchisee owned offices are all certified minority-owned businesses.
HVJ Associates, Inc. formed in Houston
HVJ moves to current headquarters location
HVJ establishes Austin office through acquisition from Maxim Technologies
HVJ establishes Dallas office through acquisition of QTE Group, Inc.
HVJ Associates® creates the engineering franchise system in the country by franchising the Dallas and Austin branches
Herb Johnson is President and founder of HVJ Associates, Inc. He has responsibility for corporate vision, strategy, development of company culture, executive team leadership, and capital allocation. He is an accomplished executive and business leader, and leads a team of executives managing engineers, scientists and support staff delivering quality engineering services throughout Texas, serving state governmental and local agencies, and the private sector.
Mr. Hasen’s career encompasses a period of over 30 years of diverse geotechnical, construction, and environmental engineering experience. He joined HVJ Associates in 1992 and currently serves as Technical Leader for the firm. In addition to technical leadership Mr. Hasen’s responsibilities include development and implementation of new initiatives related to our revolutionary and unique franchise business model.
Mr. Esmail joined HVJ in 2000, and provides overall leadership for Professional Services and Pavement Engineering. He is a successful Chief Operations Officer with extensive experience in Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Testing, and Business Development.
Ms. Didi Ndando leads the accounting, financial, talent management, and administrative services of the firm. She joined HVJ in 1992 as a staff engineer, but over the years she experienced a growing interest and aptitude in management and leadership as she moved on to project and department management.
HVJ Associates® operates geotechnical and materials testing laboratories across the state of Texas. The quality of our laboratories is assessed for compliance with ISO 9001 biannually by AASHTO through a rigorous review of testing, equipment, and quality system management.
We provide engineering services on public sector projects (state agencies, counties, municipalities, etc.) either directly to owner agencies or working with private firms. Our practice areas are geotechnical engineering, construction materials engineering and testing, civil engineering, pavement engineering, and environmental engineering.
We provide services primarily in Texas.
We operate through a combination of company-owned and franchised locations.
While we have long experience and engineering expertise, this is expected of engineering firms. We are a learning organization. We focus on developing non-technical skills that allow us to succeed with all stakeholders working together. Political awareness, relationship and consensus building, and the ability to vividly express value is what creates success, whether in project or non-project settings.
Our franchise structure also makes us different. By establishing franchised office locations we are able to offer growth opportunities to selected and trained staff members. This creates locally-owned businesses that are sensitive to the needs of their communities. These local owners are well motivated to assure their business grow and succeed.
Through Commitment Management and Processes. Commitment management focuses on getting specific agreements with clear conditions of satisfaction that are reliably fulfilled. Processes allow us to produce consistent and efficient results while liberating employees to focus on providing stakeholder value.
Absolutely! We have licensed professional engineers and NICET, ACI, and TxAPA certified technicians on staff. We are Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) pre-certified in numerous categories. Our laboratories are accredited by AASHTO, TxDOT Materials and Test Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). We are Administratively Qualified by TxDOT. We hold disadvantaged business enterprise, small business enterprise, and historically underutilized business certification from various agencies.
Please click the “Let’s Talk” button, fill out the form letting us know your question or area of interest, and we’ll have someone contact you. If you need to contact one of our offices use the Locations menu, click on the location/service of interest, and scroll down to find the office address and phone number information.
HVJ Associates testing staff holds certifications by ACI, TxAPA, and NICET that attest to their technical knowledge and skill. They also participate in proficiency testing programs that assure ongoing competence to provide test results following the required procedures and using the required equipment