TWM Contributor: Robert DeConcini, PE
President
2025 In Review: Growth, Resilience, & Moving Forward
As we reflect on 2025, it’s clear that the year was defined by both opportunity and challenge. While demand in our industry stayed strong, attracting and retaining talented people continued to be a challenge felt across the profession—and TWM was right there alongside our peers.
Through creativity, persistence, and an expanded focus on outreach and networking, we met that challenge head-on. In 2025, we welcomed 37 net new employees to TWM—an achievement that not only expanded our capacity but also contributed to another year of record financial performance for the company. This growth was a meaningful reminder of the strength of employee ownership at TWM and the long-term benefits of the ESOP for our team members.
Another important milestone in strengthening TWM’s future—and the sustainability of our ESOP—was the segregation event completed in 2025. This effort involved purchasing stock from ESOP participants who had left employment with TWM for reasons other than retirement, death, or disability. The goal was to responsibly manage TWM’s future repurchase obligations while providing former employees with diversified investment opportunities. As part of this change, those accounts were shifted into a diversified set of investments rather than remaining tied to TWM stock, thus capping our financial liability to those departed employees. This step helps protect the long-term health of the ESOP and supports its continued success for current and future employee-owners.
While 2025 brought many successes, it was also marked by profound loss. With deep sorrow, we remember the untimely passing of our colleagues and friends, Jim Barganier and Brian Steiger. Their contributions to TWM and the lasting impact of their work will not be forgotten. Their absence serves as a powerful reminder of how precious life is and reinforces the importance of focusing on what truly matters—both personally and professionally.
2026 in Action: Optimism, Opportunity, & A Milestone Year
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be a year of celebration and continued momentum. TWM will mark its 80th year in business, a milestone achieved by relatively few companies. We’re excited to commemorate this accomplishment with a series of events and activities honoring our history, our people, and the communities we serve.
We also anticipate building on the successes of 2025 through the continued implementation of corporate strategies developed by the TWM leadership team last fall. A particularly valuable planning session included insights from the former president of Barge Design Solutions, helping sharpen our long-term vision. Our strategy remains focused on intentional growth—leveraging technology such as AI and automation, developing the next generation of leaders, creating opportunities for advancement, planning for retirements, and refining how we define and achieve sustainable growth.
We began 2026 by sharing exciting news that supports this strategy. Effective January 2, TWM acquired Mohr & Kerr Engineering & Land Surveying, P.C., a Peoria-based firm that expands our presence in central and northern Illinois. This addition not only broadens our client reach but also enhances our production capacity at a time when opportunities across engineering and geospatial services remain strong.
As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for where we’ve been, confidence in where we’re headed, and a deep appreciation for the people who make TWM what it is today. Here’s to honoring our past, strengthening our present, and building an even brighter future—together as Team TWM.
