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Know-How Is Everything

We use our resourcefulness and vast experience to solve problems. It’s called know-how. And when you have it, problems aren’t problems at all. Know-how defines the core of who we are.  It is how our clients see us. Know-how speaks to ingenuity, aptitude, and skill—it is not merely knowledge; it is knowing how to get things done.

Imagine having access to a think tank with hundreds of diversely talented engineers, scientists, programmers, and developers under one roof—that’s RESPEC. Each team member is highly trained and skilled in understanding and applying a solution to any kind of problem. That’s why we have to talk about our team in terms of superheroes.

With extra vision to see solutions that others can’t and vast knowledge to bridge the gaps that others don’t, we’re transformers with the know-how to solve the world’s hardest problems. At RESPEC, we thrive on technology and making our clients successful.  This is why we do what we do.

From the depths of a cavern to the heights of a volcano, from an antiquated computer system to a business in dire need of re-engineering, our technical and business experts find solutions for extreme situations...like the time we cleansed and migrated 100 million rows of legacy data or the time we protected Mt. Rushmore.

Our Culture

At RESPEC, we see ourselves as a 50-year old start-up company. It is through this view, RESPEC has always valued a curious, entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging our employee-owners to nurture their passions and grow their careers. This unique characteristic of investing in employees beyond simply the work they can produce enables RESPEC to continue making meaningful technical contributions worldwide. By promoting and sharing our core values of Passion, Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork (PACT), we create lasting relationships with our employees and their families, our client partners, and our communities.

Todd Kenner, CEO

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RESPEC Cuts Ribbon on New Headquarter Expansion

Last month, RESPEC officially cut the ribbon on its new headquarters expansion, a project initiated in 2022. The $8 million investment has expanded RESPEC’s corporate headquarters to 70,000 square feet. The building design was led by RESPEC’s own engineers, with crucial support from key partners: Building Contractor: Kurtz Construction Building Architect: Architecture Incorporated Project Financing: Dacotah Bank In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the event celebrat...

Celebrating Our History

Incorporated in the State of South Dakota
1969

Incorporated in the State of South Dakota

First contract is with Oak Ridge National Laboratories in researching high-level nuclear waste disposal in underground mines

Job #001 Is Commissioned
1971

Job #001 Is Commissioned

Job #001 is commissioned with the South Dakota Department of Transportation

RESPEC begins fieldwork in Louisiana
1975

RESPEC begins fieldwork in Louisiana

Oak Ridge National Laboratory contracted RESPEC to begin fieldwork at the Jefferson Island and Avery Island salt mines in Louisiana

RESPEC moves to 1 Concourse Drive
1977

RESPEC moves to 1 Concourse Drive

Builds and moves into a combined office and laboratory building in the Rushmore Industrial Park at 1 Concourse Drive

New 17,000 Square-Foot Facility Completed
1981

New 17,000 Square-Foot Facility Completed

New 17,000 square-foot office/laboratory facility completed in Rapid City, South Dakota, increasing space for rock-mechanics testing equipment

1982

RESPEC Opens Offices in New Mexico

Opens offices in Albuquerque and Carlsbad, New Mexico, to be closer to Sandia-one of its best clients

Corporate Headquarters Addition Completed
1987

Corporate Headquarters Addition Completed

Completed Rapid City, South Dakota, corporate headquarters addition

Receives Multi-Million Dollar Contract
1989

Receives Multi-Million Dollar Contract

Receives multi-million dollar contract for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) seals engineering at Sandia National Laboratories

RESPEC Establishes Employee Stock Ownership Program
1991

RESPEC Establishes Employee Stock Ownership Program

Establishes ESOP and creates employee ownership opportunities

Mount Rushmore Memorial Contract Acquired
1993

Mount Rushmore Memorial Contract Acquired

New contract for structural integrity study at Mount Rushmore Memorial

Sandia National Laboratories Awards Personnel Meritorious Achievement
1998

Sandia National Laboratories Awards Personnel Meritorious Achievement

Sandia awards personnel Meritorious Achievement for contributions to the WIPP

1999

RESPEC Receives Applied Research Award

US National Committee for Rock Mechanics Awards the Applied Research Award

Becomes Microsoft Gold Partner
2002

Becomes Microsoft Gold Partner

2003

Establishes Water & Natural Resources Market Sector

RESPEC Acquires POD, Inc.
2006

RESPEC Acquires POD, Inc.

Acquires POD, Inc. and strengthens RESPEC’s technology market

2009

Leadership Succession Hire Made

Leadership succession hire is made because 78% of ownership was retiring

RESPEC Adds Mine Reclamation Services
2010

RESPEC Adds Mine Reclamation Services

Acquires PHC Reclamation in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to add mine reclamation services

2011

Establishes Idaho Presence

Establishes Idaho Presence with Technology Resources

RESPEC Acquires Moser & Associates
2011

RESPEC Acquires Moser & Associates

Acquires Moser & Associates in Denver, Colorado, with water resources expertise

RESPEC Acquires Matrix Consulting
2011

RESPEC Acquires Matrix Consulting

Acquires Matrix Consulting in Rapid City, South Dakota, strengthening solutions to government and tribes

RESPEC Becomes 100% ESOP
2012

RESPEC Becomes 100% ESOP

2012

Opens Minnesota Office

2013

Expands Montana Operations

Expands Montana operations to include office in Missoula and Bozeman

RESPEC Acquires WRC
2013

RESPEC Acquires WRC

Acquires WRC in Denver, Colorado, specializing in water rights

RESPEC Acquires Morgan Worldwide
2014

RESPEC Acquires Morgan Worldwide

Acquires Morgan Worldwide in Lexington, Kentucky, specializing in mine design

RESPEC Acquires Flat Rock Geographics
2015

RESPEC Acquires Flat Rock Geographics

Acquires Flat Rock Geographics in Roseville, Minnesota, specializing in geospatial software and services

RESPEC Acquires AQUA TERRA Consultants
2015

RESPEC Acquires AQUA TERRA Consultants

Acquires AQUA TERRA Consultants augmenting hydrologic and water quality modeling and software development

2015

New Mexico Services Expanded

Strategic hire expands Albuquerque, New Mexico, services into Water & Natural Resources

RESPEC Acquires North Rim Exploration Ltd.
2016

RESPEC Acquires North Rim Exploration Ltd.

Acquires North Rim Exploration Ltd. expanding geographic footprint into Canada and broadens technical expertise in mining and energy sectors

RESPEC Acquires SSG, Ltd.
2017

RESPEC Acquires SSG, Ltd.

Acquires SSG, Ltd., expanding data and technologies services to commercial clients and establishes a presence in Dallas, Texas

RESPEC Acquires Companies in Reno, Nevada
2019

RESPEC Acquires Companies in Reno, Nevada

Acquires Mine Development Associates and TerraSource Software in Reno, Nevada

RESPEC Celebrates 50 Years of Services
2019

RESPEC Celebrates 50 Years of Services

RESPEC Acquires PDC Engineers
2020

RESPEC Acquires PDC Engineers

PDC Engineers establishes Infrastructure services and a presence in Alaska

RESPEC Acquires Progressive Water Resources
2021

RESPEC Acquires Progressive Water Resources

The PWR/RESPEC partnership brings together two companies with extensive experience around all elements of strategic water resource management.

RESPEC Acquires JDS-Hydro Consultants, Inc.
2021

RESPEC Acquires JDS-Hydro Consultants, Inc.

JDS has an established reputation throughout southern Colorado specializing in municipal water and wastewater engineering services.

2021

Colorado Services Expanded

RESPEC boosts its solution mining capabilities with a new office in Grand Junction, Colorado.

RESPEC Acquires Haight & Associates, Inc.
2021

RESPEC Acquires Haight & Associates, Inc.

Haight & Associates, Inc. (HAI), an electrical engineering company in Juneau, became part of RESPEC on November 1, 2021.

2021

Announces New President

RESPEC’s Board of Directors votes to separate the roles of CEO and President and names Jason Love as President.

2021

Surpasses 500-Employee Milestone

RESPEC grows to more than 500 employee-owners.

2022

Names First Chief People Officer

Regina Crowell is a strategic hire to establish a vision and develop a people strategy to take the company from where it is to where it wants to be.

RESPEC Acquires DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc.
2022

RESPEC Acquires DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc.

Founded in 2006, DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc. is a multi-service consulting firm with specialties in land use planning and civil engineering.

2022

Achieves More Than $100M in Revenue

For the first time, RESPEC closes the year with more than $100 million in revenue.

2023 Large Business of the Year
2023

2023 Large Business of the Year

Our focus on meaningful contributions to our team and the areas we serve earned us Elevate Rapid City’s 2023 Large Business of the Year award. This award shines a light on companies that genuinely make a difference in employee well-being and community growth.

2024

RESPEC Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Reflecting on our origins and growth, it’s astonishing to see how our company has navigated and thrived through the changing years. The relentless pursuit to tackle the most complex and daunting challenges faced within our industry is best represented through the Impossible “R” in our logo.

Respec Logo

Contact

RESPEC Company LLC
Headquarters

3824 Jet Drive
Rapid City, SD
57703

605.394.6400