HNTB's Small Business Partner FPL and Associates honored at Los Angeles Business Journal's Women Making a Difference Awards

FPL and Associates, Inc. — one of the long-standing disadvantaged business enterprise firms with which HNTB partners — was recognized at the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2015 Annual Women Making a Difference Symposium and ceremony in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month. Honoree Irene Lee Wyatt is an associate of the family-owned company founded by her father, Fong-Ping Lee, PE, TE, in 1988. FPL is a small business enterprise and DBE firm specializing in traffic and civil engineering design for federal, state, municipal and private clients.

In its 23rd year, the annual awards celebrate Los Angeles County women who lead by example, demonstrate effective business vision and positively impact the world of business and their communities.

“Irene and her firm have worked in close partnership with HNTB for the past 24 years on many of the region’s largest and most important infrastructure projects, including the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project,” said Michael Palacios, HNTB Southern California district leader. “A dedicated professional, Irene serves as an excellent role model and mentor to women in business and we congratulate her on receiving this award.”

FPL and Associates, Inc. is a privately held corporation that provides comprehensive civil and traffic engineering services in Southern California and across the western United States. The firm currently employs 20 professionals and provides services for every Caltrans district and many municipal agencies in Southern California, as well as for a variety of private developments. For example, FPL is the engineer-of-record for street improvements for the $2.5 billion L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles.

“I am humbled and honored to be included among such a distinguished group of dedicated and talented women,” said Irene Lee Wyatt, FPL and Associates. “This recognition underscores the importance of the role of mentoring our women colleagues in business to position them for future success.”

According to Matthew A. Toledo, Los Angeles Business Journal’s publisher and chief executive officer, the annual Women Making a Difference Awards recognize and honor Los Angeles County women who are setting the example for excellence, leading by example and working toward improving their communities.

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors. HNTB’s work in California dates back to its founding in 1914. Today, HNTB continues to grow in size and service offerings to clients in California from seven office locations, currently employing more than 350 full-time professionals. With more than a century of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com.

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Image 1: Irene Lee Wyatt (top row right) pictured with HNTB executives at Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women Making a Difference awards luncheon.

Image 2: Michael Palacios, HNTB Southern California district leader

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Media contact:

Agnes Huff, Agnes Huff Communications

ahuff@ahuffgroup.com; (310) 641-2525