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Stewardship Stories share the experiences of our employee-owners as they give back to the communities in which they live and work through financial support, volunteer commitments, and more.
At Larson Design Group (LDG), stewardship means investing our time, knowledge, and expertise in ways that strengthen the communities we serve. Whether supporting environmental education programs or encouraging the next generation of engineers and innovators, our employees are committed to making a positive impact beyond the workplace.
Recently, team members participated in two unique volunteer opportunities that reflect the many ways stewardship can take shape.
Connecting Communities to Their Environment
Brad Sick, PE, Senior Project Manager – Water/Wastewater, volunteered at the Upper Coalition’s Eels in the Classroom program, an educational initiative that helps students learn about aquatic ecosystems and the importance of environmental stewardship located in the Susquehanna River Watershed in New York. As part of the event, Brad assisted the Chemung County Sewer Districts educational booth, where visitors explored an interactive model demonstrating how municipal drinking water and wastewater systems function.
“Programs like Eels in the Classroom help make environmental stewardship tangible for students,” said Brad Sick. “Being able to demonstrate how our water and wastewater systems work gives young people a better understanding of the infrastructure they rely on every day and the role they can play in protecting our natural resources.”
Inspiring the Engineers and Innovators of Tomorrow
Thousands of miles away, Neil Hinckley, PE, Principal Engineer – Federal A/E, volunteered at the 2026 (URC), one of the world’s premier collegiate robotics competitions. Held at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah, the competition brings together top university teams from around the globe to design, build, and operate advanced Mars rovers.
More than 100 teams entered the competition, with the top 38 teams from 12 countries earning invitations to compete. Over three days of challenging events and demanding weather conditions, students tested their engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in a realistic planetary exploration environment.
“Having participated in URC myself, I know how impactful these experiences can be for students,” said Neil Hinckley. “The competition challenges teams to think creatively, solve complex problems, and apply engineering principles in real-world scenarios. It’s rewarding to support an event that helps prepare the next generation of innovators and engineers.”
A Shared Commitment to Stewardship
While these volunteer efforts focused on different audiences and disciplines, they share a common purpose: creating opportunities for learning, growth, and community engagement.
From helping students understand environmental systems to supporting aspiring engineers as they tackle complex technological challenges, LDG employees continue to demonstrate that stewardship extends far beyond project work. Through volunteerism, mentorship, and education, they are helping build stronger communities and inspiring future generations to make a lasting impact of their own.
We are proud of Brad, Neil, and all our employee-owners who dedicate their time and talents to causes that advance education, innovation, and environmental awareness.
RELATED: Stewardship Stories: LDG Celebrates Long Partnership with Habitat for Humanity
About LDG
Founded in 1986, LDG is an award-winning, employee-owned architecture, engineering, and consulting firm offering full-service capabilities and a national reach. For 40 years, we have been providing an extraordinary breadth and depth of value-driven solutions to our diverse client base and investing in sustainable business practices and innovative technologies that allow us to pursue our shared vision: creatively shaping our world. For more information, visit our website or explore careers at LDG.