EXPERIENCE

Rick is a project engineer and part owner who has been with Jacobson-Westergard & Associates, Inc. since 1983.  He is responsible for preliminary and final design, contract administration, inspection and all other phases of work involved in municipal type projects.  A majority of his work is with improving drainage for area counties.  His experience includes work on all phases of DOT and CDBG projects including administration, preliminary engineering, applications, final design, permit requirements, contract administration and inspection.

Rick spent nearly two years working overseas, including work in construction management and as a consultant to the United Nations in Malaysia.  The construction management work included development of subdivisions including all utilities and streets.  The work for the United Nations involved design and construction of refugee settlements and schools, including sewer and water systems to serve them.

Prior to working overseas, Rick spent five years working for Iowa engineering consultants.  Work included all types of municipal projects involving design, contract administration, and construction inspection for storm sewer and storm water management, water treatment and distribution, sewer collection and treatment, and street and highway projects.

He is currently overseeing the design of a $4 million+ urban renewal project for East Okoboji Beach, a housing development on the east side of East Okoboji Lake, which will be completely updating their streets and drainage system and incorporating Low Impact Development (LID) areas.  This project will be using tax increment financing (TIF) funding which allows for a certain area to pay higher property taxes to pay for an infrastructure project for a certain number of years.

From 1972 through 1976, he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation.