Michael Baker International Strengthens Integrated Design and Advisory Vertical with Three Key New Hires

Firm welcomes Edward (Ed) Hanbicki, AIA, NCARB, LEED BD&C, as IDA Market Director & VP for the Southwestern and Northwestern U.S., Ford Hubbard as IDA Business Development Executive & VP for Private Sector Clients, with a focus on Texas and the Southeastern U.S., and Nathanael (Nate) Brown, P.E., MBA, as IDA Sector Lead and VP for Industrial and Defense Contractors

PITTSBURGH, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced that the firm has welcomed a trio of new hires to its Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA) vertical, providing architecture and engineering services. Edward (Ed) Hanbicki, AIA, NCARB, LEED BD&C, joins the firm as IDA Market Director & VP for the Southwestern and Northwestern U.S., Ford Hubbard as IDA Business Development Executive & VP for Private Sector Clients, with a focus on Texas and the Southeastern U.S., and Nathanael (Nate) Brown, P.E., MBA, as IDA Sector Lead and VP for Industrial and Defense Contractors.

Michael Baker's Integrated Design and Advisory vertical unites architecture and engineering design expertise with strategic advisory services to deliver holistic and innovative solutions that address the business and project objectives of the firm's clients. Integrated Design involves key disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and fire protection (MEP+S+FP) engineering, as well as architecture and planning. The firm's Advisory capabilities showcase expertise in areas such as strategic consulting, cybersecurity, building controls, cost management, commissioning, program management, construction support, building information modeling, digital twins, emergency response, disaster recovery, operational continuity, energy resiliency and more.

"In the rapidly changing world of urban development, continued innovation in smart buildings planning, design and engineering is critical as we transform our perception of living and working environments to meet our needs but more importantly, individualize the experience. Realizing these smart buildings requires specialized knowledge and skills of a full-service engineering and consulting firm like Michael Baker," said Pankaj Duggal, AICP, AIA-IA, President - Integrated Design and Advisory at Michael Baker International. "Ed, Ford and Nate each bring a unique perspective, deep knowledge and expertise to their new roles at Michael Baker. They will work closely with our firm's architecture, engineering (mechanical, electrical, structural and fire protection), cybersecurity, building technology and commissioning teams to expand our full-service offerings to clients and industry partners. I look forward to partnering with them to Make a Difference as we embed innovation into all aspects of our work and provide our clients with holistic solutions that address complex challenges in the built environment."

Ed Hanbicki, AIA, NCARB, LEED BD&C, Market Director & VP for the Southwestern and Northwestern U.S.: Mr. Hanbicki will serve as the lead in these important geographies for corporate and other private sector clients, such as industrial, aviation, transit, corporate, life sciences, state/local and federal.

Mr. Hanbicki is a highly skilled program and project management professional with 36 years of experience specializing in the management and delivery of large complex projects and programs across multiple sectors including aviation, technology, corporate, federal and retail. He joins Michael Baker from Jacobs, where he led the Cities and Places practice in the Northwest. Earlier in his career with Jacobs, he was Director of Architecture for Southern California. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Louisiana State University.

Ford Hubbard, Business Development Executive & VP for Private Sector Clients, with a focus on Texas and the Southeastern U.S.: Mr. Hubbard will serve as the lead for developing national market sectors for data centers and industrial/manufacturing and for private sector and institutional clients in Texas and the Southeastern U.S. for private sector clients in the corporate, industrial, manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, higher education and energy sectors. He will work closely with Michael Baker portfolio company, Infinity MEP+S Consultants, based in Texas, to leverage their full-service MEP, fire protection and technology design capabilities.

Mr. Hubbard is a marketing and business development principal with more than 25 years of experience in the A/E design and construction industry. He is a proven leader in account management, client engagement, major pursuits and business planning. Mr. Hubbard spent nearly 20 years with large firms in the engineering industry, first as Senior Vice President and Marketing Director for HOK Houston and then as Division Vice President for Jacobs Global Buildings. His recent experience includes working as a Consultant for Thrive Creative Strategies and serving in a management role for privately held business interests in real estate, oil and gas. Mr. Hubbard earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, with a focus on Architecture, from the University of Texas at Austin.

Nate Brown, P.E., Sector Lead and VP for Industrial and Defense Contractors: Mr. Brown will lead the firm's engagement with industrial clients and defense contractors. He joins the firm's Strategy and Growth team in a seller/doer role to drive business and deliver excellence.

Mr. Brown joins Michael Baker after 25 years with Jacobs. As Principal of Jacobs' Defense Contractor Portfolio, he oversaw the firms' client relationships, business development and operational growth work with defense contractors. Earlier in his career with Jacobs, he served as a Program Manager for the firm's work with Lockheed Martin, leading the completion of hundreds of successful projects including programming, architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, condition assessment, commissioning, life safety and sustainability work. Mr. Brown earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas – Arlington, a Master of Science degree in Architectural Engineering – Structural Emphasis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering – Structural Emphasis from Kansas State University.

About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For 85 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).

The company has more than 4,900 employees across more than 90 office locations. Michael Baker's Wolf Pack is committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while evolving its business to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm.

To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli
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SOURCE Michael Baker International