LAN’s History

Founded in 1935, LAN has grown from its humble beginnings as a small Houston firm to a national leader in the civil infrastructure engineering industry. LAN has worked to build a reputable, multi-disciplinary firm that draws on the expertise of individuals to develop designs and solutions that are entirely based on the needs of our clients and the general public. With more than 90 years behind us, our journey has been one filled with milestones.

  • The Great Depression: Lockwood and Andrews venture out in a new business endeavor.

  • Times were tough, but Lockwood and Andrews persist and the company grows.

  • The San Jacinto Ordnance Depot is awarded as a major contract and catapults the firm into the field of major engineering civil projects.

  • The company resume increases with reservoirs, pump stations, and large water supply lines from the Harris Reservoir Project.

  • Frank Newnam, Jr. joins as a partner to help diversify the firm as it continues to grow.

  • The firm meets the challenges of growth by acquiring firms and opening offices in new cities.

  • The firm is constantly increasing the number of jobs and takes on major projects including the Lake Houston Pump Station, Master Plans for the Port of Houston and strategic air command bases.

  • The firm changes its name to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, and the headquarters is moved to a new location in Houston.

  • LAN participates in a joint venture to provide architectural services to the Houston Intercontinental Airport.

  • LAN provides excavation and sub-drainage services for the Houston Astrodome.

  • Lockwood and Newnam create a transfer of ownership and management plan. LAN then acquires Lowry & Seale, Inc.

  • The firm suffers the loss of its distinguished Founder and first President, Mason G. Lockwood. Frank Newnam assumes the role of President.

  • LAN opens its office in Dallas, and acquires Geogram Corporation.

  • LAN merges with the Houston-based architectural firm Koetter, Tharp, Cowell & Bartlett, Inc. To establish an international presence, an office is opened in Saudi Arabia.

  • LAN establishes offices in Denver, Los Angeles, and San Antonio.

  • LAN headquarters moves to 1500 CityWest Boulevard.

  • LAN takes on the role of Program Manager for the City of Houston’s $660M Surface Water Transmission Program, which lasts for 30 years.

  • LAN merges with the LEO A DALY Company to enhance the firms ability to provide services for a wide range of projects.

  • The Omaha Civil Engineering Group merges with LAN and establishes an office in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • LAN opens a new office in Austin, Texas.

  • LAN begins providing Right-of-Way acquisition services under TxDOT’s Right-of-Way Acquisition Professional Services Program to support major infrastructure projects across Texas.

  • LAN acquires Walton Associates Consulting Engineers to launch the firm into providing K-12 bond program management services.

    LAN also opens an office in Waco, Texas.

  • LAN expands its services to the Western and Midwest region, with new offices in Sacramento, Chicago, Flint, Tampa, Las Vegas, and Milpitas.

  • LAN is contracted for the Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension project, the largest commuter project in Northern California.

  • The firm expands its capabilities in water quality modeling and tool development, becoming an early adopter of InfoWorks for complex drainage analysis and began providing holistic watershed master planning.

  • The Dallas Area Rapid Transit Orange Line opens into the airport – the 4th light rail in the country to connect to airports.

  • An office opens in Frisco, strengthening the firm’s presence in North Texas.

  • LAN continues to expand its project portfolio, including major water, wastewater, transportation, and stormwater management projects across Texas and the U.S.

  • LAN’s designs more than 200,000 linear feet of large-diameter interceptors and over 100,000 linear feet of pipeline rehabilitation, consistently ranking among the top 25 firms in the country for trenchless design.

  • LAN completes design and delivery of Exploration Green, a nationally recognized 178-acre flood control and nature park project in Clear Lake. The site protects over 2,000 homes, offers restored native habitat, and serves as a model for resilient, community-driven infrastructure.

  • Leo A Daly completes a strategic partnership with Hennick & Company, 42 senior employees have acquired a 25% stake in the firms, marking the most significant expansion of equity ownership in the company’s history.

  • LAN celebrates its 90th birthday.