Ware Malcomb recently opened a new office at Edison Properties’ Ironside Newark building at 110 Edison Place in Newark. — Courtesy: Edison Properties
By Joshua Burd
Design firm Ware Malcomb has named a new civil engineering manager in its Newark office, tapping a longtime industry professional to help expand its platform in the region.
The firm on Tuesday announced the hiring of Edward F. Wilkes Jr., who will be based in its new office at the Ironside Newark complex. In the new role, he is responsible for the growth and management of civil engineering services for the Northeast.
“With a strong background in both engineering and business management, Ed will be instrumental in expanding Ware Malcomb’s civil engineering services across the Northeast market,” said Chris Strawn, a Ware Malcomb principal, civil engineering.
Strawn announced the hire alongside Tom Jansen, also a principal in civil engineering, who said they “look forward to Ed’s contributions to our civil engineering team as we continue to grow our services across North America.” The practice specializes in land development projects, with a focus on efficient design to deliver successful project outcomes, Ware Malcomb said, noting that its team has worked on office, industrial, health care, public, institutional, retail, restaurant, mixed-use, multifamily, residential and subdivision projects.
Wilkes brings more than 14 years of experience in the civil engineering and land development fields to Ware Malcomb, according to a news release. Previously, he served as a senior project manager for ground-up commercial real estate projects across the industrial, office, residential, retail, self-storage and senior living asset classes.
His expertise includes site feasibility studies, conceptual planning and site layout, grading and drainage design, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, erosion and sediment control design, utility design, regulatory permitting and construction oversight, the news release said. Wilkes has also served as an expert and appeared on behalf of clients before planning and zoning boards and other regulatory agencies throughout the region.
“Ed is the perfect choice to lead the expansion of civil engineering services here in New Jersey and across the Northeast,” said Michael Bennett, principal of Ware Malcomb’s Northeast region, which includes offices in Newark, Princeton and New York City. “His expertise and leadership in civil land development will be an excellent addition to Ware Malcomb’s robust architecture and interior design services, enhancing our reputation as a full-service design firm in the region.”
Wilkes holds a bachelor’s in civil engineering from The College of New Jersey and an MBA from Rutgers University. He is a licensed professional engineer, a member of NAIOP and currently serves as president of the American Society of Civil Engineers – Central Jersey Branch.
The new hire follows Ware Malcomb’s expansion and relocation last year to Ironside Newark, located at 110 Edison Place, as a result of the growth of its local employee and client base. The firm also saw an opportunity to be closer to clients in a vibrant growth market.