RESPEC Acquires Haight & Associates, Inc.

Haight & Associates, Inc. (HAI), an electrical engineering company in Juneau, became part of RESPEC on November 1, 2021. The acquisition reflects RESPEC’s ongoing commitment to serving Alaska’s public and private sectors and expanding its infrastructure services. This partnership enables RESPEC to offer a complete set of engineering disciplines from locals to southeast Alaska.

Since the 1980s, HAI has established a reputation for providing electrical engineering services for the travel industry, the education sector, Alaska Native corporations, and state and local governments. In fact, HAI designed the first-ever cruise ship shore power facility, which allows local utilities to sell excess energy to cruise companies. Their solutions were so well done that HAI’s design has been mimicked worldwide and used to create the international standards for all cruise ship shore power facilities.

Over the years, many of RESPEC’s Alaska employees have worked with HAI on infrastructure projects, and we have been impressed by their responsiveness and creativity. Our collaboration includes the Sealaska Heritage Museum, which won a LEED Gold award, and the University of Alaska Southeast’s John Pugh Hall. Now, we are designing shore power for the US Coast Guard at Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

“I’ve always enjoyed my relationship with RESPEC. Good people, good attitudes, and a good touch with technology,” said Ben Haight, Former President of HAI. “They made me feel warm and welcome and helped me see where my team and I can fit in.”

The value of RESPEC acquiring HAI came up many times, and both companies evaluated the opportunity. Recently, we both decided the time was right to advance. Every acquisition made by RESPEC stems from our commitment to our clients, our employee-owners, and our culture. HAI’s proactivity, economic efficiencies, and innovation drew RESPEC to them, and we look forward to building on their legacy.

“Our relationship with Haight spans 40 years, so we knew what they bring to the table,” said Matt Emerson, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure. “We wanted to incorporate their electrical engineering knowledge and experience to make RESPEC even stronger, and we were delighted they agreed.”

RESPEC welcomes Ben Haight and all HAI employees to the RESPEC family. Their dedication to clients aligns with and advances RESPEC’s values and services. Together, we will continue to promote a culture of success, collaboration, and innovation.