NEWS

The City of North Chicago received the APWA-Lake Branch- Public Works Project of the Year Award, Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair, $0–$5 million category , recognizing its response to a major water system emergency in September 2025. Following damage to a 24-inch transmission main and a cascade of water main breaks, the City’s Public Works Department coordinated an intensive, citywide emergency response. Trotter and Associates, Inc., serving as consulting engineers, supported the effort alongside Campanella & Sons, Inc. and Thompson Pipe Group. Through disciplined coordination and sustained effort, the team restored stable system pressure, avoided a boil order, and limited impacts on residents and businesses. This demonstrated the City’s outstanding resilience, technical expertise, and commitment to protecting public health and critical infrastructure under highly adverse conditions. Photo (left to right): Robert Freeman (CNC Public Works), Steve Cieslica (TAI), Mayor Leon Rockingham (CNC), Wanda Evans (CNC Public Works), Bob Miller (CNC Public Works), Chris Merino (TAI).

TAI’s Civil Team continues to grow with the addition of Matt Colbert, P.E., joining as a Senior Project Engineer in our St. Charles, IL office. Matt has served as a Resident Engineer, Lead Construction Inspector, and Design Engineer on projects ranging from municipal infrastructure to large-scale construction efforts- including North America’s largest single-phase wind farm. His experience manages design intent and field execution, ensuring projects perform as planned. That combination of field leadership and technical precision aligns with TAI's approach to delivering projects. As the firm continues its planned growth into 2026, professionals like Matt strengthen our ability to serve clients with clarity, accountability, and long-term value.

Join us in welcoming Karen Young, P.E., CFM, to The Trotter and Associates, Inc. (TAI) as Senior Project Manager for our Civil Team, based in the St. Charles, IL, office. Karen brings extensive experience in civil and municipal engineering, including transportation engineering, stormwater management, and public infrastructure leadership. Most recently, she served as Director of Public Works for the Village of Roselle, with prior roles in St. Charles, Batavia, and Schaumburg. Her Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential further strengthens TAI’s technical depth. As TAI advances its planned growth in 2026, Karen’s leadership will play a key role in expanding our civil team, supporting our clients, and upholding the standards that define our services.

Trotter and Associates, Inc. is proud to welcome Christopher Muellner, EIT, as a Project Engineer based in our St. Charles, IL office.  Chris brings experience in municipal utilities, land development, and civil site engineering. He is already contributing to infrastructure projects that support municipalities and communities throughout Northeast Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. With four TAI office locations and continued growth planned for 2026, we’re proud to add talented professionals like Chris to our team.