Emerging Professionals Network
Unlock Your Potential with GHA's Emerging Professionals Network
The Emerging Professionals Network (EPN) is a premier group at GHA that brings together employees who are in the early stages of their careers, providing a supportive platform for professional and personal growth. Our aim is to expand your network, foster connections with colleagues from different departments, and facilitate open communication with experienced staff members. Through our inclusive community, you’ll have access to valuable resources, mentorship opportunities, and a vibrant network of professionals passionate about civil engineering.
ENGAGEMENT
EPN members have the chance to participate in a variety of engaging programs and events that promote collaboration, learning, and personal development. These initiatives are designed to enhance your knowledge, broaden your horizons, and foster your passion for the field of civil engineering. Engaging social events offer a relaxed and enjoyable setting for networking, building relationships, and connecting with colleagues.
“By joining the EPN, you’ll have the opportunity to share your voice and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals. Our events are designed to foster connections among staff at all levels, allowing you to collaborate with co-owners you may not typically work with. It’s a chance to broaden your network and play a key role in shaping the future of our organization.”
-Julie Roberts, P.E.
CAREER DAYS
The annual Career Day program offered by the EPN provides local high school students with a unique opportunity to spend a day alongside our Engineering Professionals. This immersive experience offers valuable insights into various branches of the civil engineering field and allows participants to tackle design challenges and visit construction sites, providing inspiration and firsthand exposure to the world of civil engineering.
“Being part of the EPN has accelerated my professional growth. The connections I’ve made and the insights I’ve gained from co-owners at all levels have enriched my perspective and enabled me to contribute more effectively to our organization. The EPN is about being part of a group that drives positive change within our company and our communities.”
-Scott Yandell, Civil Engineer
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
At GHA, we are dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and providing a supportive community for your professional growth. The EPN is just one of the ways we foster collaboration, promote learning, and create a platform for you to thrive. Join the EPN and be part of a vibrant community that empowers you to make meaningful connections, expand your horizons, and build a successful career in civil engineering.
With the EPN, you’ll gain access to mentorship programs, professional development initiatives, and meaningful networking opportunities. These resources are carefully designed to foster your passion for civil engineering and cultivate a culture of integrity, dedication, and excellence. Our commitment to your success is evident in the EPN’s commitment to empowering emerging professionals like you to achieve their career goals and make a lasting impact in the field. Join us and unlock your potential with the support of a dynamic community of driven individuals who share your passion for civil engineering.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Internships
Internships at GHA are a career-launching experience. Collaborate with industry experts on impactful projects, gain professional mentorship, and build a valuable network. With GHA, gain the real-world experience and mentorship you need to excel in the engineering field.
New Graduates
GHA is committed to shaping future leaders in the field. Through consistent mentorship and abundant career growth opportunities, many have found long-term professional homes at GHA. Join us in becoming the next generation of leaders in civil engineering.
Experienced Professionals
At GHA, we create an environment where experienced engineers, technicians, and support staff can realize their full potential. With diverse projects and a dedicated team, we encourage both professional growth and personal satisfaction. Join us at GHA to shape the future of civil engineering.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
La’Citia Johnson
Senior Human Resources Manager
LJohnson@GHA-Engineers.com
Hannah Domanski
HR Generalist
HDomanski@GHA-Engineers.com
Employee Owned
GHA is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Company.
In 2018, GHA transitioned to an ESOP organization. This signifies that every member of GHA’s staff possesses an owner’s stake in enhancing our services and the value they deliver to our clients. Beyond the financial benefits for all GHA Co-Owners, we deeply believe in the contributions each one of us can make through our experience, insight, and dedication. This belief drives a variety of employee opportunities, always anchored in the understanding that we, the Co-Owners, possess a distinctive voice that demands recognition.
WHAT IS AN ESOP?
At Gewalt Hamilton Associates, our team members are more than just employees; they are vested stakeholders in the company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP is a specialized retirement plan that operates through a trust, a distinct legal entity that acquires, holds, and manages company stock for the benefit of its participants. This unique structure allows GHA co-owners to receive company shares as a portion of their compensation, providing them with a vested interest in the company.
HOW DOES AN ESOP WORK?
Much like a 401(k) plan, an ESOP provides a framework for long-term retirement savings. However, there are key differences. In our ESOP, employees are not required to contribute financially to acquire company shares. Instead, Gewalt Hamilton Associates takes on the responsibility of making all contributions. This reflects our dedication to investing in the people who make our success possible.
The value of each ESOP account is directly linked to the stock price of Gewalt Hamilton Associates, rather than external market securities. This ensures that as the company continues to grow and thrive, so does the financial well-being of our team members. To maintain transparency and integrity, the value of our company stock is assessed annually by an independent third-party appraiser. Any increase in the stock value is then equitably redistributed to the ESOP beneficiaries—our valued owners-employees.
By implementing an ESOP, our goal is to nurture a culture where excellence and innovation are the norm, as every team member has a direct stake in the company’s overall performance and success.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN AN ESOP
Participating in an ESOP offers numerous advantages that go beyond traditional retirement plans:
Alignment of Interests: With a stake in the company, team members are naturally motivated to contribute to its success, thereby creating a cohesive and focused work environment.
Financial Security: The ESOP provides an additional layer of financial stability for retirement, supplementing other retirement savings plans you may have.
Tax Benefits: ESOPs come with certain tax advantages, both for the company and for the employee beneficiaries, making it a financially prudent choice for long-term planning.
Shared Success: As the company grows, the value of the ESOP shares also increases, allowing co-owners to directly benefit from the company’s success.
ESOP ADVISORY COUNCIL
The GHA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Advisory Council is not just a committee, but a pivotal component in shaping a robust culture of ownership, engagement, and professional advancement among GHA’s employee-owners. Acting as a key element within GHA’s ownership structure, the council plays an essential role in both sustaining and evolving a shared vision for the future trajectory of the company.
At GHA, each division is represented on the council, ensuring an approach where every opportunity is explored and every concern is addressed. We take pride in our inclusive culture, and as a testament to this, all GHA Co-Owners are invited to serve on the ESOP Advisory Council for a term. Those who have taken up this opportunity unanimously agree that it offers a unique platform to actively shape GHA’s future.
Our culture at GHA is deeply rooted in a shared journey toward the future, with each of us as Co-Owners playing a pivotal role. Throughout the year, we have numerous celebrations that underscore this collective spirit. The Annual Stock Reveal is a moment we all eagerly await each year. The dedicated members of the ESOP Advisory Council pour their energy into making this event memorable, ensuring not just insightful discussions but also great food and team-building fun.
COMPANY CULTURE
The ESOP model inherently encourages a culture of collective responsibility and mutual respect. Team members are not just employees but co-owners who have a vested interest in the quality of work and solutions we provide to our clients. This sense of ownership creates a work environment where integrity and excellence are not just expected but are a natural outcome of our company culture.
By integrating an ESOP into our benefits package, Gewalt Hamilton Associates aims to create a workplace where everyone’s contributions are recognized and rewarded, and where each team member benefits directly from our collective success.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
GHA: Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At GHA, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). In 2020, we established the DEI committee with a clear mission: “Our goal is to cultivate partnerships with experts and practitioners in our community to advance diversity and inclusion within our firm.” Our aim is to create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard, valued and celebrated.
As part of our ongoing DEI initiatives, GHA forges community partnerships aligned with our commitment to integrity and positive impact. Since 2004, our Philanthropy Committee has collaborated with Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep through the “Corporate Work Study Program,” supporting education and development for young individuals. We proudly hire full-time employees from this program, investing in our workforce’s future.
“Through our DEI efforts, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone’s voices are heard and valued,” says Wadee Rafati, a key member of the DEI committee. “We are dedicated to driving meaningful change and building a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity.”
-Wadee Rafati, Civil Engineer
Education and building for the future are vital aspects of our DEI efforts. GHA donates funds to the College of Lake County, inspiring students through STEM-focused scholarships. Additionally, our contribution to the City Colleges of Chicago’s Black Equity and Excellence program amplifies our commitment to equity and a more diverse industry.
In 2022, GHA partnered with Ethos Talent, implementing their Management Program to cultivate leadership skills and a diverse workforce. This program serves as a foundation for ongoing DEI development, empowering our managers to champion diversity and inclusion.
To ensure fairness and equal opportunities, GHA adheres to EEOC regulations and analyzes our processes to address unintentional bias. We strive for equity across all stages, from recruiting and hiring to compensation and career advancement. Internally, GHA upholds the values of integrity and continuous improvement by enhancing DEI within the company.
“Our employee handbook has been rewritten to incorporate more inclusive language that represents our current culture and creates a welcoming environment for new hires,” says Hannah Domanski, HR Generalist. “We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual feels respected and included.”
-Hannah Domanski, HR Generalist
Through these initiatives, GHA demonstrates its dedication to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. With a deep-rooted passion for celebrating differences, upholding integrity and embracing continuous improvement, we are committed to shaping a more inclusive future for our employees, clients and communities.
What Makes Us GHA?
A spirit of mutual respect, continuous learning, collaboration, and a genuine desire to help our clients reach their goals.
GHA's VISION - NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE
GHA will be the premiere consultant partner in the Midwest, providing high-quality services and designs for our clients and community.
GHA will be forward looking, working toward a common vision that includes diversity and inclusion, a feeling of belonging, and built upon strong internal and external relationships.
GHA will be a world-class place to build a career, focused on staff development and training at all levels, creating challenging and rewarding opportunities for all staff.
GHA will build and maintain a strong culture, one built upon trust and growth, and our common values of Integrity, Dedication, and Passion.
Many of our staff have served with us for decades, so our range of expertise is nearly unmatched. It truly is our people that make the difference and provide our clients with the results they want and need. By the same token, many of our clients have been with us for years, providing us with the most authentic assurance that our work consistently meets expectations – their loyalty. Both public and private agencies have come to rely on the professional, personal and timely service we provide. At Gewalt Hamilton, we treat every project as just one shared experience in what we hope will be a long-term relationship. We work with our clients, not for them, bringing a team approach to every assignment. Our clients trust us to hear their needs, provide honest and thoughtful feedback, and deliver exceptional results.
Our clients are served by registered professional engineers, land surveyors and experienced technical and administrative support staff. GHA is also prequalified by key government agencies to provide professional services.
This collective dedication to leveraging our experience to yield actionable insights drives an overarching firm-wide quest to find efficiencies that protect project budgets, and maximize asset efficacy and useful lifecycle.
Our Culture
A Culture of Opportunity and Collaboration
We place consistent emphasis on the opportunities for our staff to grow personally and professionally, for clients to benefit with insights and efficiencies, and for the communities in which we work and live to be enhanced by our involvement. We express our culture in positive ways through:
Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion
GHA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee brings us a strategic roadmap and initiatives that clarify our vision, and enhance strategy, processes and practices around culture and DEI. We partnered with Ethos Talent in November of 2020 to help promote DEI initiatives, education, organizational development and change management.
Community
Involvement
We are committed to providing opportunities for philanthropic activities that align with the company’s mission, vision, and core values, and provide the means to assure the moral health of the company through philanthropy, fund development, and socially responsible efforts.
Scholarships and
Educational Guidance
From the beginning, GHA has considered it an honor to assist young people in moving forward with their educational goals by proving opportunities to ease the financial burden.
GHA Supports Students’ Future Success – City Colleges of Chicago Black Equity and Excellence Scholarships
GHA proudly supports the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Black Equity and Excellence Scholarship Fund. GHA donated scholarship opportunities to STEM-focused, African American candidates in the technical and engineering field. sevenstrong.ccc.edu/black-excellence.
GHA Supports Students’ Future Success – College of Lake County Foundation Scholarships
GHA proudly supports the College of Lake County Foundation and has donated scholarship opportunities for engineering and CAD drafting students. clcillinois.edu/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/clc-foundation-scholarships
Charitable
Support
GHA makes giving back to our community a high priority, providing many opportunities to support organizations with financial assistance, our time, or both. We regularly participate in several programs, many of which have become annual events, with organizations such as:
GHA Supports – Habitat for Humanity
GHA staff gathered to lend a hand for Habitat for Humanity Lake County, enjoying every minute of it. This organization has been providing opportunities that allow people like us to give our time and energy to help families achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life.
GHA Supports – Northern Illinois Food Bank
Our first “Grilling for Groceries” event this summer benefitted from the combination of the food donation provided by GHA, the funds collected from our participants, additional GHA employee owner donations, and generous matching donations. This will be able to help provide groceries to our some of our hungry neighbors in need. The Northern Illinois Food Bank serves in thirteen counties with dignity, equity, and convenience, providing approximately 250,000 meals a day. Annually, they helped provide over 100 million meals locally.
GHA Supports – Feed My Starving Children
GHA has been a long term supporter of the Feed My Starving Children organization. Staff groups gather at FMSC to prepare packages of food to be distributed worldwide to those in need. We take great pleasure in both sharing our personal time for this excellent cause and having a great time too.
GHA Supports – Cancer Wellness Center’s Stepping Up to Wellness Run/Walk
For several years, GHA has been a proud sponsor of the Cancer Wellness Center’s Stepping Up to Wellness Run/Walk, and we are excited to support the Cancer Wellness Center (CWC) again in 2021.The CWC provides programs and services designed to educate participants, develop coping strategies, strengthen their support network for free due to the kindness and generosity of program supporters.
www.cancerwellness.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/run-walk/
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION MATCHING
In addition to assistance provided directly by GHA, we also have a tradition in year-end employee donation matching. We hold staff generosity in high regard and are delighted to match their individual efforts.
Employee Benefits
In addition to providing employee ownership and a competitive compensation structure, GHA strives to create a balance between work and personal time.
We provide a collaborative work environment and a comprehensive benefits program, including:
Paid Time Off/Floating Holidays/Holidays – Our program provides the flexibility for paid time off, whether vacation or illness, as well as seven holidays.
401(k) Retirement Plan/Profit Sharing Program – The 401(k) plan provides the flexibility to successfully plan for retirement. This program offers a diverse selection of investment options. GHA provides a 50% match up to 6% of earnings.
Medical Insurance – GHA offers a high deductible/HSA medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Dental Insurance – A full-coverage dental plan is offered.
Vision Insurance – Vision plan is available.
Flexible Spending Accounts – Through our flexible spending program, employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for unreimbursed medical, dental, vision costs and dependent care.
Short-Term Disability Insurance – In the event of an injury or illness, GHA offers short-term disability plans that provide a portion of the employee’s pre-disability earnings. The company contributes 100% of the premium.
Long-Term Disability Insurance – In the event of a prolonged injury or illness, Gewalt Hamilton offers long-term disability plans that provide a portion of the employee’s pre-disability earnings. The company contributes 100% of the premium.
Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment – Our life insurance program includes a $50,000 policy for each full time employee. The company contributes 100% of the premiums.
Flexible Work Schedules – GHA understands that personal and family needs may require you to have flexible hours. We will work with you to establish a work schedule that meets both your needs and the company’s needs.
Maternity and Paternity Leave – GHA offers employees a generous maternity and paternity leave plan.
This listing is a general overview of some of the benefits offered. Detailed plan descriptions will be provided during the hiring process.
GHA is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees in accordance with all applicable equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of Federal, State and Local governing bodies.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
La’Citia Johnson
Senior Human Resources Manager
LJohnson@GHA-Engineers.com
Hannah Domanski
HR Generalist
HDomanski@GHA-Engineers.com
Community Involvement
Community Involvement: Creating a Positive Impact
Members of the GHA team serve as Board Members or Trustees for various local government agencies. We actively promote leadership within our team, encouraging them to contribute to the communities where we operate. Each year, our employees dedicate numerous hours to community service, exemplifying our commitment to civic responsibility and engagement.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering
GHA has supported and hosted ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day’ events to local students. We hope to inspire girls’ future, so they learn they have a place in engineering. Students participated at GHA’s corporate headquarters in engineering-related activities, shared their knowledge, and were introduced to engineering mentors! For more information, visit discovere.org
Lake County Adopt-a-Highway
Twice a year, GHA team members and their families unite for our Adopt-A-Highway initiative, dedicating their time to enhancing the cleanliness and safety of our local highways. We’re grateful to the Lake County Division of Transportation for their ongoing support. This effort reflects our commitment to maintaining and improving our local environments. Visit LakeCountyIL.gov for more.
Friends of the Chicago River
The GHA team collaborates with the Friends of the Chicago River at North Park in Lincolnshire. Our team members participate in preserving our rivers and deepening our connection with the natural environment. Our efforts aim to ensure this remarkable natural resource stays clean for future generations and the diverse wildlife that inhabits it. For more information, visit ChicagoRiver.org.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
GHA hosts an annual Grilling for St. Jude’s event. Our team members unite to grill a selection of delightful dishes, all with the purpose of supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This esteemed institution is pivotal in combating childhood diseases, and our ongoing efforts resonate with its mission. We take pride in contributing to such a significant cause. For more on the transformative work of St. Jude’s, visit stjude.org
Cancer Wellness Center Annual Walk
GHA consistently supports the Cancer Wellness Center’s Stepping up to Wellness Run/Walk. This event epitomizes our dedication to promoting health and wellness in the community. Our team actively participates, championing the cause and raising awareness for cancer wellness. Through our involvement, we aim to amplify the message of resilience, hope, and collective strength. For more information visit cancerwellness.org
Northern Illinois Food Bank
GHA proudly partners with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Our dedicated team volunteers to pack and sort food, aiding families across Northern Illinois. This collaboration reflects our dedication to community engagement and our resolve to address food insecurity. We remain focused on contributing to meaningful community initiatives. For more information about the NIFB, visit their site: solvehungertoday.org