{{Short description|American multinational engineering and construction company}} {{coord|38.923941|-94.656570|display=title}} {{Infobox company | name = Black & Veatch | logo = Black_&_Veatch_logo.svg | logo_size = 250px | type = [[Employee-owned corporation|Employee-owned]] | foundation = [[Kansas City, Missouri]] (1915) | location = [[Overland Park, Kansas]] | key_people = Mario Azar, Chairman and CEO
Steve Meck, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Michael Williams, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Uhlmansiek, Vice President and Chief of Staff
Mike Adams, Chief Digital Technology Officer
Patrick Hogan, Chief Client Officer
Andrea Bernica, Chief People Officer
Jennifer Divito, President, Black & Veatch Operations
Narsingh Chaudhary, President, Fuels & Natural Resources
Todd Edsall, President, Power Providers
Jim Moos, Interim President, Governments & Communities
Jim Moos, President, Technology, Commercial & Industrial
Charlie Sanchez, President, Strategic Advisory & Lifecycle Resiliency Services
Narsingh Chaudhary, Interim President, Asia Pacific and India
Oscar Falcon, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Latin America
Youssef Merjaneh, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa | num_employees = More than 12,000 (2024) | website = {{URL|https://www.bv.com/}} | industry = [[Engineering, procurement and construction]], and consulting | services = Asset management, consulting, data analytics, EPC and design build, operations, physical and cybersecurity, program and construction management, sustainability | areas_served = Power, water, private telecommunications, oil and gas, mining, government, data centers | revenue = $4.735 billion (2023) }} <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Black & Veatch World Headquarters Overland Park, KS - USA.jpg|thumb|350px|Black & Veatch World Headquarters, Overland Park, KS - USA]] -->
'''Black & Veatch''' (BV) is a global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company based in the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]]. Founded in 1915 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], it is now headquartered in [[Overland Park, Kansas]]. It specializes in infrastructure development in energy, liquefied natural gas, water, renewable energy including solar, private telecommunications, government, mining, data centers, cybersecurity, advisory services, electrified transportation and smart cities.<ref>[https://www.bv.com/what-we-do/ What We Do.]</ref>
As of October 2025, BV is the 5th largest 100% [[employee-owned corporation|employee-owned]] company in the United States<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Employee Ownership 100: America's Largest Majority Employee-Owned Companies |url=https://www.nceo.org/articles/employee-ownership-100 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=NCEO}}</ref> with approximately 13,000 employees and reported total revenue of $4.735 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Sustainability Report |url=https://cdn.bfldr.com/E1EVDN8O/at/6qmn4zcr8z5jtcqnfjqvbvkr/24_SustainabilityReport.pdf |access-date=3 April 2026 |page=62}}</ref> According to [[Engineering News-Record|Engineering-News Record]] (ENR) magazine, Black & Veatch is the 13th-largest design firm in the United States based on revenue for design services performed in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ENR 2025 Top 500 Design Firms Preview {{!}} Engineering News-Record |url=https://www.enr.com/toplists/2025-top-500-design-firms-preview |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.enr.com}}</ref> In its annual ENR 500 rankings, the magazine also reports that BV is the nation's 4th largest provider of design services to the Power market and 8th largest in Water.
BV has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.<ref>[https://www.bv.com/worldwide-locations Worldwide Locations.] Black & Veatch, 27 February 2017.</ref>
==History== Black & Veatch was formed in 1915 when Ernest Bateman (E.B.) Black dissolved his partnership with J.S. Worley and created a new firm with Nathan Thomas Veatch. Black and Veatch met while attending the University of Kansas.[https://web.archive.org/web/20101026113122/http://bv.com/About_Us/History.aspx]
===Company timeline=== * 1915 Ernest Bateman Black and Nathan Thomas Veatch form a partnership called Black & Veatch with 12 employees on the payroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.bv.com/company/history |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Black & Veatch}}</ref> * 1940 The War Department requests that Black & Veatch rebuild [[Robinson Maneuver Training Center|Camp Robinson]] in [[Little Rock, Arkansas]]. Other camp projects include [[Fort Chaffee|Camp Chaffee]] in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas]], [[Camp Hale]] in [[Pando, Colorado]], and other military installations in the Midwest.<ref name=autogenerated1>[https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/black-veatch-llp-history FundingUniverse.com.]</ref> * 1948 Work begins for the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]] at [[Los Alamos, New Mexico]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> * 1950 N.T. Veatch is appointed by President [[Harry Truman]] to the President's Water Pollution Control Advisory Board.<ref>[http://www.trumanlibrary.org/oralhist/veatch.htm Oral History Interview with Nathan Thomas (Tom) Veatch.] Harry S. Truman Library</ref> * 1963 Black & Veatch International is formed.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> * 1964 Black & Veatch opens its first regional office in Denver, CO to design a 100 million gallon per day water treatment plant by the Denver Water Board of Colorado.<ref name=autogenerated2>[https://www.bv.com/black-veatch-history Black & Veatch History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182540/https://www.bv.com/black-veatch-history |date=2017-12-01 }} Black & Veatch, 28 Feb. 2017</ref> * 1967 Black & Veatch wins a contract to produce a 60-megawatt power generating unit for Yanhee Electricity Authority of Thailand, now known as EGAT, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 1976 Black & Veatch opens new building at 11401 Lamar Avenue in [[Overland Park]], [[Kansas]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> * 1985 Black & Veatch acquires Pritchard Corporation.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 1988 Black & Veatch power division introduces a new computer-aided engineering and project management system called POWRTRAK to be more time efficient and capture new business.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 1993 Black & Veatch forms UK-based partnership with UK business [[Tarmac Group|Tarmac]] following the latter's acquisition of the privatised UK government agency [[Property Services Agency|PSA]] Projects in 1992.<ref name="Indie-1Oct1992">{{cite news|title=Tarmac buys PSA Projects|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/tarmac-buys-psa-projects-1554962.html|access-date=16 January 2018|work=Independent|date=1 October 1992}}</ref> This was initially called TBV Consult; after the partnership was discontinued, it was renamed Tarmac Professional Services in 1998,<ref name="TPS">''History'' {{cite web|title=original|url=http://www.tpsconsult.co.uk/tps/about-us/our-history.aspx|website=TPS Consult|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118021639/http://www.tpsconsult.co.uk/tps/about-us/our-history.aspx|url-status=bot: unknown}}from the {{cite web|title=original|url=http://www.tpsconsult.co.uk/tps/about-us/our-history.aspx|website=TPS Consult|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118021639/http://www.tpsconsult.co.uk/tps/about-us/our-history.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and became part of [[Carillion]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/297579.stm |title=Tarmac to split in two |work=BBC News|date=16 March 1999 |access-date=13 July 2008}}</ref> * 1995 Black & Veatch merges with Binnie & Partners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://waterdesalreport.com/articles/9472 |title=Black & Veatch and Binnie consortium | Water Desalination Report |access-date=2010-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308040825/http://waterdesalreport.com/articles/9472 |archive-date=2010-03-08 }} "Black & Veatch and Binnie consortium." Water Desalination Report. May 11, 1995.</ref> * 1996 Black & Veatch acquires Paterson Candy Ltd., a UK-based water treatment process contractor and expands building at 11401 Lamar Avenue.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 1999 Black & Veatch changes company structure from general partnership to an [[Employee ownership|employee-owned]] corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bv.com/Downloads/Resources/Reports/1-28147014_CEO_Chronicles.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027024938/http://bv.com/Downloads/Resources/Reports/1-28147014_CEO_Chronicles.pdf |archive-date=2010-10-27 }} Chief Executive Magazine, September/October 2010 issue</ref> * 2005 Black & Veatch acquires RJ Rudden Associates, Lukens Energy Group, and Fortegra,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/news_center/publish/article_00772.shtml |title=Black & Veatch Acquires Fortegra |access-date=2010-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145713/http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/news_center/publish/article_00772.shtml |archive-date=2011-07-16 }} "Black & Veatch acquires Fortegra." Water & Wastewater, October 11, 2005.</ref> a move that doubles the size of its management consulting business.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 2006 Black & Veatch acquires the water business of MJ Gleeson in the UK, more than doubling the size of its existing UK water operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=B&V Acquires MJ Gleeson's Water Business |url=https://www.waterandwastewater.com/bv-acquires-mj-gleesons-water-business/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145701/http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/news_center/publish/article_001120.shtml |archive-date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2010-10-26}} Water & Wastewater, November 2, 2006</ref> * 2008 Black & Veatch is selected by [[Eskom]] to provide project management and engineering services for a 4,800 [[megawatt]] power generation facility in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-08 |title=Black & Veatch wins South African contract |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/05/05/daily43.html |access-date= |website=Kansas City Business Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2009 Black & Veatch repurchases 11401 Lamar Avenue office building in [[Overland Park]], [[Kansas]], and establishes the location as the company's World Headquarters.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/07/06/daily3.html Black & Veatch completes purchase of world HQ building.] Kansas City Business Journal. July 6, 2009.</ref> * 2010 Black & Veatch acquires Enspiria Solutions Inc. to expand its scope of smart-grid services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-18 |title=Black & Veatch targets smart-grid work with Enspiria Solutions acquisition |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/03/15/daily38.html |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Kansas City Business Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2013 Steve Edwards assumes role as Black & Veatch Chairman, President, and CEO.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 2015 Black & Veatch celebrates its 100th anniversary.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> * 2017 Black & Veatch forms Diode Ventures, LLC, "to provide clients with a full-service solution to develop and manage their infrastructure assets" with Black & Veatch’s Global Chief Technology Officer, Brad Hardin, as president.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Diode |url=https://www.diodeventures.com/about-diode |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.diodeventures.com}}</ref> * 2018 Black & Veatch and the [[University of Missouri]] release a report on the [[Missouri Hyperloop]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2019|title=Missouri's Blue Ribbon Panel on Hyperloop releases its report (Video)|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2019/10/28/missouri-blue-ribbon-panel-hyperloop-report.html|access-date=2 July 2020|website=Kansas City Business Journal}}</ref> * 2020 Black & Veatch announces it is ceasing participation in new coal-based design and construction projects in an attempt to focus on more renewable energy work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Zachary |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Black & Veatch leaving coal projects in the dust |url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/black-veatch-leaving-coal-projects-in-the-dust/588379/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Construction Dive |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2021 The Europe and Asian water businesses of Black & Veatch are acquired by [[RSK Group]] and renamed Binnies.<ref name="TCI-21Dec2020">{{cite news |title=RSK acquisition marks the return of Binnies |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/rsk-acquisition-marks-the-return-of-binnies |access-date=11 February 2021 |work=The Construction Index |date=21 December 2020}}</ref> * 2022 Mario Azar succeeds the retiring Steve Edwards as Chairman & CEO<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Black & Veatch gets a new chairman and CEO |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2022/04/15/black-veatch-mario-azar-chairman-ceo-edwards.html |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Kansas City Business Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2023 Black & Veatch acquires Texas-based electrical contractor and storm restoration expert Bird Electric Enterprises, LLC, adding 600 employees in the process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thibault |first=Matthew |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Black & Veatch acquires Texas electrical contractor |url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/black-veatch-acquires-texas-electrical-contractor-bird-electric-construction/649779/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Construction Dive |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2023 Black & Veatch completes charging depot for [[Schneider National]] to its power zero-emissions fleet.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=Schneider National completes charging depot to power e-truck fleet - electrive.com |url=https://www.electrive.com/2023/06/08/schneider-national-completes-charging-depot-to-power-e-truck-fleet/ |access-date=2026-03-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> * 2024 Black & Veatch establishes a global Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity practice to protect critical infrastructure assets from hackers and cybercriminals<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoders |first=Jeff |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Black & Veatch Establishes Global Cybersecurity Practice |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/58354-black-and-veatch-establishes-global-cybersecurity-practice |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Engineering News-Record |language=en}}</ref>
===Ukraine arm: BTRIC=== {{See also|Ukraine bioweapons conspiracy theory}}
In 2008, the [[Defense Threat 123 Agency]] (DTRA) awarded BV the first of its Biological Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts (BTRIC). The five-year [[IDIQ]] contract has a collective ceiling of $4 billion among the five selected contractors. DTRA awarded BV, as Integrating Contractor, the first BTRIC in [[Ukraine]] in 2008, which "is a vital part" of the [[Cooperative Threat Reduction]] (CTR) and Biological Threat Reduction (BTR) program of the DTRA. The Implementing (Executive) Agents were three in number: the Ukraine Ministry of Health, Ukraine Academy of Agrarian Sciences and Ukraine State Committee for Veterinary Medicine.<ref name="btricu">{{cite news |title=BTRIC Ukraine |url=https://www.bv.com/projects/btric-ukraine |publisher=Black & Veatch Holding Company}}</ref>
In 2010, BV commissioned Ukraine's first Bio-Safety Level 3 laboratory. This was the first BSL-3 laboratory commissioned for the DTRA.<ref name="upibv">{{cite news |title=DTRA selects Black & Veatch to work in Ukraine |url=https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2012/10/09/DTRA-selects-Black-Veatch-to-work-in-Ukraine/72171349811009/?u3L=1 |publisher=United Press International |date=9 October 2012}}</ref> Constructed by Black & Veatch under the "to renovate a decades-old facility into a state-of-the-art diagnostics laboratory that will become the nexus of Ukraine’s biosurveillance network... Ukrainian personnel in molecular diagnostics, biosafety, operations and maintenance, and laboratory management techniques" were trained over three years from 2010 to "provide Ukrainian scientists with the necessary resources to manage the BSL-3 laboratory and the Ukrainian biosurveillance system."<ref name="bvhcsa">{{cite news |title=State-of-the-Art Diagnostics Laboratory Helps Make the World Safer |url=https://www.bv.com/projects/state-art-diagnostics-laboratory-helps-make-world-safer |publisher=Black & Veatch Holding Company |date=n.d.}}</ref>
Some social media users have attempted to link Black & Veatch to conspiracy theories related to the war in Ukraine and the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lima-Strong |first1=Cristiano |last2=Schaffer |first2=Aaron |date=2022-04-06 |title=Analysis {{!}} The Ukraine biolab conspiracy theory quickly went viral. It took weeks to pinpoint the source. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/06/ukraine-biolab-conspiracy-theory-quickly-went-viral-it-took-weeks-pinpoint-source/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> through this biosurveillance facility development<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evon |first=Dan |date=2022-02-24 |title=Ukraine, US Biolabs, and an Ongoing Russian Disinformation Campaign |url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/02/24/us-biolabs-ukraine-russia/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Snopes |language=en}}</ref> and the dates of various executed agreements. Per the Associated Press, "The government initially signed an agreement in late 2019 with a contractor, Black & Veatch, as part of biological threat reduction work in Ukraine, according to officials and documents. After the pandemic began, Black & Veatch hired another firm, Labyrinth Gold Health, to provide expertise for Ukraine’s COVID-19 response. The description of the work in a federal database was updated, but the original agreement date remained."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-17 |title=No, DOD didn't contract for COVID research before pandemic |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-defense-contract-covid-2019-labyrinth-541416771695 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Black and Veatch}} [[Category:Employee-owned companies of the United States]] [[Category:Companies based in Overland Park, Kansas]] [[Category:Companies based in Kansas City, Missouri]] [[Category:Engineering companies of the United States]] [[Category:International engineering consulting firms]] [[Category:Engineering consulting firms of the United States]] [[Category:Consulting firms established in 1915]] [[Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1915]] [[Category:1915 establishments in Missouri]] [[Category:Technology companies established in 1915]]