Category: HRC Insights

Twenty years ago Howard B. Ray, P.E. joined forces with a land surveying firm in Douglasville, Ga. A seasoned civil engineer and Georgia Tech grad, Howard was looking for opportunity to make an impact. His goal was (and still is) to help clients throughout the Southeastern U.S. be more successful, and to help make our communities better.

Starting in 2000, the firm was known as Hughes Ray Company. Since that time there have been changes in leadership: Clifford Hughes, the original co-owner, retired. And principals Darryl D. Ray, R.L.A. and Aaron M. McCullough, R.L.S. were brought on board as vice presidents of the landscape architecture and land surveying divisions, respectively, within the firm. As often happens in the evolution of an organization, the company is increasingly referred to as HRC.

“It is easy to say, easy to remember,” says Howard, HRC’s president. “It’s a natural way to refer to our firm, and it’s caught on.”

The logo, business cards, and signage reflect the change. Now the URL is changing too. To find the company on the web, visitors now go to www.HRCEngineers.com. (The old URL, www.HughesRay.com still works; both web addresses take you to the same site.)

“The time is right. We honor the history of our company, and this simplification of our name helps clients, partners and members of the community more easily get it touch,” Howard added.

Our firm’s been the most trusted name in civil engineering, landscape architecture and land surveying in the metro Atlanta area for more than 20 years. Now it’s easier than ever to find us on the web. Check us out! www.HRCEngineers.com For more HRC updates, follow us on social media.

As we all grapple with the immense change the coronavirus has brought, HRC, like most businesses in the U.S., has transitioned to a work-from-home environment.

The HRC team prides itself on being highly collaborative—working closely with each other, our clients and our community. The recent challenges have strengthened our belief that true partnership makes it possible for us to deliver the high-value services we’re known for. We remain committed to assure that our relationships stay strong and productive as we make the shift to working remotely.

Meeting the needs of those we serve while at the same time helping to ensure the health and safety of all involved is our focus. We wish you and yours the best outcomes possible during this challenging time.

The Atlanta City Council announced this month the purchase of nearly 13 acres in Southwest Atlanta slated to become a park. Working with The Conservation Fund, HRC is playing a role in creating new greenspace for neighborhood residents in the Cascade area of Atlanta to enjoy.

Located at 4391 Danforth Road, the property includes 10 acres of mature trees, which will be protected. The Department of Parks and Recreation will include additional amenities to be enjoyed by those who live close by.

“Our firm is pleased to be part of this initiative,” said Aaron M. McCullough, R.L.S., vice president of HRC (Hughes Ray). Aaron, who heads up the surveying unit of the firm, which also provides civil engineering, landscape architecture, and construction management services, provided surveys needed to thoughtfully create the new public space.

“Facilitating the creation of spaces that make communities better is at the core of what HRC does,” Aaron added.

Stacy Funderburke, assistant regional counsel at the Fund, an American non-profit with a dual charter to pursue environmental preservation and economic development, added: “We certainly appreciate the longstanding partnership with Hughes Ray in adding new parks to the city.”

The purchase, one of the largest acquisitions of greenspace ever in Southwest Atlanta, makes good on a goal Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms established during her 2017 campaign—that every Neighborhood Planning Unit would have its own park. This parcel is located in NPU-Q, a few miles southwest of downtown.

The evening of Saturday, Feb. 8 was meaningful for HRC. Two members of the team were honored at the annual Douglas County Chamber banquet.

Office Manager Laura Mullins was named Young Professional of the Year by the DC chamber for her service to the business community and the community at large.

President Howard B. Ray, P.E. formally turned over the gavel as chamber president after his year-long leadership term.

These individuals exemplify a key HRC value: HRC team members work hard to make our clients more successful, while striving to make the places we live better.

Laura was named a Top 10 Young Professional in 2019 and 2017 by Advancing Modern Professionals in Douglas (AMP’D), a program of the Douglas County Chamber Foundation. This year’s honor was a special surprise to the active professional.

“When the announcement was made, I was honestly stunned,” said Laura. “There are so many worthy men and women who served with me, which makes getting this award even more special.”

In addition to her work with the chamber, Laura has supported her church, served on the board of the the Boys and Girls Club in Douglas County and chaired the organization’s golf tournament. She’s also done plenty of volunteering at her three children’s schools and with their extracurricular activities.

Howard was honored for his service as chairman of the Douglas County Chamber. During his tenure he undertook several initiatives to advance the interests of the business community, and to instill collaboration among members. He officially passed the gavel to Craig Owens, president, Wellstar Douglas Hospital, who takes the leadership role for the next 12 months.

In addition to leading the HRC team of 25+ civil engineers, surveyors, landscape architects and other professionals, and spearheading business development, Howard serves on the boards of Tanner Health, Douglas UnitE, the Carroll Symphony and the Carroll County Chamber.

“It’s been my pleasure to serve,” he said. “I’m proud of the opportunity I’ve had to work with very talented folks who are invested in the betterment our communities,” he said. “I look forward to staying involved over the long term—to contribute to the well-being at the local, state and Southeast regional area where we serve.” Howard added.

For more information about HRC’s give-back efforts, read this blog.

 

Most of our clients and friends know that our firm is located in Douglasville, Ga. That means we’re well positioned to serve the metro area of Atlanta, as well as West Georgia and East Alabama.

What many might not know is that our footprint expands even farther. We cover the entire Southeast, with an increasing number of projects in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Mississippi. In fact we’re accredited in 13 states.

The public and private entities we serve are helping to spread the word about our civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture abilities—and our client-first approach to business. We’re gratified by the referrals and business expansion we are experiencing.

From truck stops in Western states to a high school in Columbus, Ga. From leading-chain locations (Starbucks, Bojangles, Taco Bell and more) to the Foxhall resort located right here in our hometown. From hotels and healthcare centers to various municipal, county and state governments. We’re working in partnership to help make these clients and others more successful, and their communities better.

The engineers, surveyors and landscape architects of HRC spend their days in the office and on-site—helping clients be more successful. But you’ll also find members of our team out and about—helping to make our communities better.

That was the case on Oct. 23 when Howard B. Ray joined students, teachers and staff at South Douglas Elementary School for a check presentation. The firm donated dollars needed to build a gravity-only car to compete in this year’s Georgia Gravity Games, to be held Nov. 2 in downtown Douglasville.

This is HRC’s fourth year sponsoring a car to be entered into the annual race, sponsored by Google, Georgia Tech and the City of Douglasville.

“The Georgia Gravity Games are an educational, hands-on activity designed to get young people excited about STEM subjects,” said Howard B. Ray. “We are proud to support these students as they take the concepts learned inside the classroom and apply them in a creative way. After all, what other advanced engineering challenge involves getting to zoom at top speed through downtown streets?”

At HRC, we’re focused on delivering high value engineering, surveying and landscape architecture services, in partnership with our private and public clients. But that’s not all. While each one of our 25-plus team members work hard on-site and in the office to deliver high-value services that make those we serve more successful—we also prioritize making the places we live, better.

As a company and as individuals we support organizations that are good for business, and our community. That’s why we contribute to organizations that promote education, the arts, and the health and welfare children, animals and adults by providing donations, in-kind services and volunteer time.

Following are the community causes HRC supports. For more information, visit our Who We Are page.

• Tanner Health System
• Tanner Medical Foundation
• Beyond the Front Porch
• Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta
• Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
• Carroll County Child Advocacy Center
• Carroll Symphony Orchestra
• Carroll Tomorrow
• Cultural Arts Council Douglasville/Douglas County
• Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
• Douglas County Schools
• Georgia Gravity Games
• Humane Society of Douglas County
• Mississippi State University/National Collegiate Landscape Competition
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• Sanctuary Village
• University of Georgia Master Gardner Program
• University of West Georgia Townsend Center for the Performing Arts

Congrats to Laura Mullins. HRC’s finance manager was recognized recently as a Top 10 Young Professional by Advancing Modern Professionals in Douglas (AMP’D), a program of the Douglas County Chamber Foundation.

It’s my pleasure to contribute my time to worthy causes that help make our community a better place to live and work,” said Laura. “HRC’s support of its employees’ volunteer activities—and the chamber’s recognition—are truly appreciated.”

Laura’s passion to give back to the community where she was raised is aligned with AMP’D’s mission to encourage young professionals to engage, develop and serve in Douglas County.

This is the second time Laura’s received this honor: She was named in 2017 as well.

Also recognized this year were Whitney Constien, Douglas County Chamber; Mark DeNyse, DeNyse Companies; Emily Lightner, Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville and Douglas County; Nadia Faucette, GreyStone Power Corporation; Meitra Perry, Douglas County Schools; Jordan Phillips, Chick-fil-A Arbor Place Mall; Jennifer Rogers, Extreme Images, LLC; Aaron Szarowicz, City of Douglasville; and Andre Weaver, Douglas County Schools.

 

HRC (Hughes-Ray Company) is putting its credentials to work. The firm’s land surveying team recently applied for—and received—GDOT prequalification. Prequalification is required in order to work as a consultant for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Detailed documentation of relevant projects, as well as the instrumentation (tools) used by the company’s surveyors, was provided to the GDOT as part of the prequalification process. Aaron McCullough, R.L.S, Malcolm McWhorter, R.L.S., and Engineers-in-Training Jared Norton and Jim Steele were instrumental in securing certification in three area classes on behalf of the firm: Land Surveying (5.01), Engineering Surveying (5.02), and Geodetic Surveying (5.03).

“We now have the credentials to work in partnership with large engineering firms on publicly funded projects in Georgia,” said Aaron M. McCullough, R.L.S., vice president of Douglasville, Ga.-based HRC. “Our firm is in a position to solicit new projects as subcontractors to complement the services of engineers needing surveying expertise.”

“With today’s growing demand for quality surveying services, prequalification helps meet an important market need,” McCullough said. “HRC looks forward to diversifying our project mix, growing our business—and meeting the needs of partner firms and the state of Georgia.”

Taylor Pounds, HRC’s design department manager, has been named co-chair of the Youth Leadership Douglas County (YLDC) class of 2019 – 2020. He was tapped for the position by the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce following his graduation from the 10-month Leadership Douglas program earlier in 2019.

YLDC is a program for students. Fifty high schoolers are accepted for either the fall or spring program to learn more about their community and develop their leadership potential. For one full day each month, the students participate in activities including ropes courses, law enforcement training, interviewing with members of the media and visiting local legislators and county commissioners.

“Our first get together was a day retreat where the students participated in team building exercises led by AmeriCorps volunteers from the Youth Villages of Inner Harbor campus and the YLD chairs. It was amazing to see a group of strangers at the beginning of the day leave as friends. The smiles and laughter throughout the day that we see is what this program is all about.” The students were also made aware of the standards, expectations, and graduation requirements.

The next session for the fall class was public service day. “We were given behind the scenes access of the county jail and local fire station. The interaction and information that was provided by our local law enforcement and firefighters was invaluable and helped us all realize how fortunate we are to have them and their resources in Douglas County,” said Taylor.

Taylor described his mission as program co-chair: “I want to put YLDC participants in scenarios that challenge their beliefs and help them think outside the box.”

YLDC is modeled off of Leadership Douglas, a program for professionals in business, government and other sectors. Participants benefit from getting to know one another and through exchange of ideas and experiences. They gain knowledge and understanding on issues facing the community, and also attain leadership skills.

“I look forward to applying what I learned in Leadership Douglas to make an impact on youth in Douglas County,” said Taylor. “My co-chair and I strive to instill a passion for active community involvement among the high-school students in the 2019 and 2010 classes.”