Engineering firm dates to 'energy crunch' years

Steady expansion and new location

By Jim Obert

Business Today

JACKSON -- Tom Strickland became interested in mechanical engineering while growing up on a farm in the Oak Ridge area.

At the University of Missouri-Rolla, Strickland obtained a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1966. For the next 12 years was employed at General Motors Corp. in Anderson, Ind., where he worked in process engineering.

In 1977 he moved back to this area as a consultant to an engineering firm in Cape Girardeau. Two years later he started his own business in Jackson -- Strickland Engineering.

"I started at a time when there was an energy crunch in the country," said Strickland. "There were grant programs available for schools to make energy improvements to school buildings. I worked for several school districts in the beginning. Now, almost 23 years later, we've worked with over 50 school districts in Southeast Missouri."

Strickland said his business began as basically a mechanical/electrical engineering firm. Design of heating and air conditioning systems were the focus. Over the years, Strickland Engineering has expanded into civil and industrial engineering, and land surveying.

The company expanded when his son, Mark, joined in 1992. He is responsible for mechanical engineering design, technical energy audits and project management. He also coordinates with clients and oversees the project design.

"We've done a lot of work at Doctors' Park in Cape with outpatient surgery centers and upgrades of doctors' offices," said Mark Strickland, who has a degree in mechanical engineering from his father's alma mater.

The firm added civil engineering services when Tom Strickland's youngest son, Brian, a University of Missouri-Columbia graduate and civil engineer, came aboard in 1999 after working four years for the city of Cape Girardeau in its engineering division.

He is responsible for civil engineering design and project management including subdivision design, stormwater management and commercial site design. He has designed public works projects for Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Ste. Genevieve. The Southern Expressway extension, for the city of Cape Girardeau, is 3,200 feet in length from South Kingshighway to Silver Springs Road.

Tom Strickland said his company is currently designing the mechanical and electrical systems for the new Immanuel Lutheran School in Perryville. Other projects in progress include the Renaissance Aircraft building at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, the First Midwest Bank of Dexter-Sikeston Facility and the site design for the Multi-Modal Transfer Facility at Southeast Missouri State University.

"We have a project in Indiana under way, and we're doing some assisted living centers in Tennessee," said Mark Strickland. "Our healthcare client, Americare Systems, is based in Southeast Missouri, and as they expand we expand with them."

The engineering firm recently completed the mechanical, plumbing and electrical design for A.J. Brown Construction Co., which is building the new First Assembly of God Church in the former Mr. K's grocery store building on Silver Springs Road in Cape.

Other clients have been Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, Tetra-Pak in Sikeston and many regional municipal governments and school districts.

Strickland Engineering has added staff over the past several years to provide additional services. Shawn Weber, an electrical engineer, joined the firm in November 2000. Joseph Martin, a professional land surveyor, came aboard in October 2001. Aaron Wright and Jack Strickland are engineering technicians, and Roberta Feeney is the office manager.

To provide for the growing engineering business, the company relocated to a larger office space in uptown Jackson in March. An open house is planned for July 25.

BIG -- Strickland said his business began as basically a mechanical/electrical engineering firm. Design of heating and air conditioning systems were the focus. Over the years, Strickland Engineering has expanded into civil and industrial engineering, and land surveying.

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