More than 100 years ago, HDR began as an independent engineering firm helping rural Midwestern towns adapt to a changing world. Today, it’s the largest 100% employee-owned architecture and engineering company in the United States, serving communities from more than 200 offices worldwide. But even with 14,000+ employees and global reach, HDR has never lost sight of where it started.

“Even now, it feels like a family,” said Ann Williams, P.E., Senior Vice President and Nebraska/Iowa Area Manager. “It’s a loyal, long-tenured group of employees. We’re here because of the people and because we believe in what we’re building, both inside and outside the company.”

In 1996, HDR’s employees bought the company back after more than a decade of outside ownership. That move to employee ownership didn’t just change who signed the checks, it reshaped the company’s culture. “That spirit of ownership has been infused into everything since,” Williams said.

From Omaha’s skyline to its underground utilities, HDR’s impact is everywhere. So is its presence in the community.

Designing Omaha’s future

HDR teams imagined and brought to life some of Omaha’s most defining civic and cultural spaces. Projects like the RiverFront redevelopment, the Holland Performing Arts Center, the Children’s Nebraska Hubbard Center, and the upcoming Central Library showcase a balance of engineering excellence and community relevance.

“When you drive through Omaha, from Charles Schwab Field to the campuses of UNMC and UNO, you can see our fingerprints,” Williams said. “These aren’t just projects to us. They’re personal.”

HDR continues to shape the Greater Omaha region with in-process projects that include:

• The Omaha Modern Streetcar, which will redefine how people move through downtown and anchor future growth.
• The Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility, implementing forward-thinking, sustainable water treatment technologies.
• A partnership with OPPD to support long-term energy infrastructure and cleaner energy transitions.
• The new Children’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, focused on delivering critical care in a thoughtful, healing environment.

Employee-owned and employee-empowered

In 2026, HDR will celebrate 30 years of employee ownership. This ownership model gives every employee a voice, a stake, and a sense of shared success. 

“When employees are owners, they think differently,” Williams said. “You want to invest in each other, help your teammates, and build something bigger than yourself. That’s what keeps people here and what draws new talent in.”

Williams’ own journey at HDR illustrates that growth mindset. “I’ve had the chance to grow in all directions,” she said. “From project management to business development, leading a practice group, and now serving as area manager—it hasn’t been a straight line, and that’s what’s made it meaningful.”

HDR’s workshare structure also creates unmatched flexibility. For example, Williams works with team members in more than 30 states tied to local Nebraska and Iowa projects. HDR proves that remote, flexible, and cross-border collaboration can unlock creative potential.

“We challenge people at the top of their field,” Williams said. “Whether it’s a global project or one in our own backyard, we give them opportunities to grow and make an impact.”

Giving back with purpose

Giving back is woven into HDR’s business. Through the HDR Foundation, employees donate and decide which organizations receive support. The foundation has awarded more than $12 million to over 400 nonprofits, focusing on education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship.

“We’re not just building the workforce,” Williams said. “We’re helping people live better lives because HDR is here. That means knowledge, access, and a long-term investment in the communities we serve.”

Chamber connections and civic leadership

HDR’s long-standing investment in the Greater Omaha Chamber reflects its commitment to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.

“The Chamber is one of the best ways to find the players and partners in town,” Williams said. “It’s where connections are made. We’ve loved being part of efforts like Leadership Omaha, and we encourage our people to grow as both professionals and civic leaders.”

Williams encourages others in the business community to lean in and get involved.

“This is a small community at heart,” she said. “We want to see Omaha businesses grow and succeed. The more we connect and collaborate, the better our future looks.”