Freese and Nichols Enters Florida Market with Experienced Water Infrastructure Leaders

Freese and Nichols continues expansion across the Southeast with the addition of Craig Wells, PE, ENV SP, and Tony Pevec, PE, BCEE, to lead the firm’s new Tampa office.

The team will help the firm serve cities, counties and water districts that are fortifying for Florida’s explosive growth. With the state’s population expected to increase by 6 million people in the next decade, key infrastructure challenges include maintaining a safe, reliable drinking water supply and effectively managing waste and stormwater. The state also needs to protect its aquifers and natural areas while making sure water utilities are resilient in the face of climate change and sea-level rise.

Craig, new Client Services Leader, has more than 26 years’ experience in the planning and design of water distribution, wastewater treatment and storm management systems. His expertise includes assessing climate vulnerability of water/wastewater infrastructure and creating climate resilient facilities for public utilities. He has provided assessments for water utilities in coastal Florida and Georgia. in coastal Florida and Georgia.

Craig’s extensive client service includes leading climate resilience projects for communities across Florida and other states to guide their compliance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act requirements.

He has a B.S. in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School. He is a member of the American Water Works Association and sits on its National Committee for Emergency Preparedness. He also is a member of the Florida Water Environment Association and an Affiliate of the Florida Climate Institute.

Tony, new Group Manager, has spent more than 19 years designing and managing water/wastewater treatment and conveyance projects. His specialty is biosolids/residuals treatment and odor control, including projects to convert sludge to organic fertilizer using solar energy, and to help water treatment plants achieve total recycling.

Tony has led projects for multiple public clients in Florida. As a project and construction manager, he has experience with a range of delivery methods: traditional design bid build, progressive design build and CMAR.

He has a B.S. in civil engineering from Cleveland State University and is vice chair of the Florida Water Environment Association’s Biosolids Committee. He also is a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

“Craig and Tony bring a wealth of knowledge and proven service to clients in the Florida region,” said Trooper Smith, Freese and Nichols’ Georgia/Florida Division Manager. “In addition to matching our firm’s culture and having a strong teamwork bond, Craig and Tony are experts in our field with demonstrated ability to help Florida communities meet their water infrastructure needs.”

Freese and Nichols’ office is located in the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Tampa:
100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 600
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-467-9180