Geotechnical
Engineering
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 →
Civil/Pavement
Engineering
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 →
Roads & Bridges
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 →
Airports, Ports & Dredging
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 & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
Learn More →
Buildings & Parks
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 →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
Agencies
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
Learn More →
Consultant Clients
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
Learn More →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Learn More →
How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Learn More →
Herbert V. Johnson
Founder & CEO HVJ Associates
1. Starting with some background about yourself, can you share what type of work you do at HVJ and what you find most interesting about it?
From a young age I noticed a real strength in owning a business, recognizing true opportunity in that, so earning my B.S. and M.S. in Engineering at Mississippi State University was a means to achieving that goal.
From my garage in Sugar Land, TX, I started HVJ Associates just 7 years after college, and I am inspired daily by the experiences of serving others in competent ways as I lead this company. Business is a spiritual game that involves both growth and contribution, and I find this both personally and financially rewarding.
2. What is your role at HVJ, and what is your favorite type of project/work?
As CEO of HVJ Associates, I prepare the company vision and determine how we play the game of business by assembling critical resources to engage opportunities in the market in ways that benefit our stakeholders. In 2016 we developed and pioneered a truly innovative, trailblazing first in this country-- the Franchise Business Model for the delivery of professional engineering services. We currently generate annual revenues of $35 million system-wide, so my work at this level is more about strategy and less about operations.
3. What are the common types of problems that your customers are trying to solve? What do you think draws them specifically to HVJ?
We help customers identify their real challenges, and truth be told, it’s 80% psychological and 20% technical. We understand the issues of our clients, we add extreme value, and we deliver on our promises. Our brand focuses on government contracting, primarily at the state and local levels, maintaining critical engineered infrastructure statewide. We have a healthy relationship with challenges, and problem solving is what we do best. That’s what attracts customers.
I can sincerely say HVJ is a learning organization, and we credit our quality communications and impressive performance to this. We have benefited from executive coaching since the early 2000s and advisory boards and mentors since the late 90s.
The firm is deeply engaged with continuing education and professional development through the Institute for Generative Leadership, The Alternative Board and Tony Robbins Mastery University. Ongoing education is not optional but essential. If you’re not learning or growing, then you’re atrophying and certainly not being competitive.
Effective service is visualizing in clear terms, challenges or opportunities from our customers’ perspective. The old saying, “value is in the eye of the customer” is true. Hubris is a professional’s worst enemy, because you just don’t know what’s best for the client unless you really listen and build rapport. Then you’ve got diagnostics and articulation. Trust must be established. We do quality engineering--that’s a given, but we love our customers more than our product. As I said, business is a spiritual game where you focus on personal growth and that of your team. That’s what enables extreme contribution to stakeholders. We love our customers, and this is why we have a raving fan base with a Net Promoter Score that is consistently above 75.
These Stories on Blog
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think