DBF celebrates 35 years of creating value by design

Salisbury, Md. — Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF) reached an exciting milestone, celebrating 35 years in the Architecture and Engineering industry. Founded in 1983 in Salisbury, Md., DBF has become one of the largest and most respected professional consulting firms on the Eastern Shore.

The firm’s story began in a one-room brick office in the heart of downtown Salisbury. Davis & Associates, as it was first known, was spearheaded by engineers John A. Davis, P.E. and Gerald G. Friedel, P.E., two young visionaries with a passion for problem solving and a vision for innovation. Architect, G. Donald Bowen, AIA, joined the firm shortly after, establishing versatile capabilities for the firm early on, and Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. officially began.

With a growing need for professional services in Delaware and a drive for a stronger presence on the Eastern Shore, DBF opened a second office in Dover in the 1990s. Later relocating to Milford to better serve the firm’s largest municipal client, the move offered broader geographic coverage and a multitude of opportunities in a new region, setting the tone for future endeavors.

DBF acquired Andrew’s, Miller & Associates in 2007, expanding architecture, surveying, civil engineering and structural engineering services to include marine engineering, hydrology, and enhanced surveying to better serve the firm’s clients. From there, DBF consolidated and opened an Easton, Md., office and more recently celebrated two grand openings of relocated offices: DBF’s corporate headquarters in Salisbury and the rapidly expanding office in Milford, Del., all designed to accommodate the burgeoning firm.

Today, the firm is led by president Michael Wigley, AIA, LEED AP, and principals, W. Zachary Crouch, P.E., Jason Loar, P.E., Ring Lardner, P.E., and Mike Wheedleton, AIA, LEED GA.

“DBF has been able to become what it is today because of our clients and the relationships we maintain,” reflected Wigley, who has been with DBF since nearly the very beginning, joining the firm a little more than a year after its inception. “I look back and am just amazed at the impact our incredible staff of professionals has had within our communities: whether it be by improving water and sewer systems or designing town halls and police stations, we are grateful to be a part of our clients’ desires to make places better.”

From humble beginnings, DBF has evolved into an award-winning multidiscipline firm now with over 3,000 clients, a growing staff of 90, and more than six decades of specialized experience in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.  Over the last 35 years, DBF has been recognized frequently, receiving awards for excellence in design and having work featured in regional and national publications. This past year, DBF was ranked as the 37th engineering/architecture firm in the country by Building Design + Construction Magazine’s annual Giants 300 survey.

The firm has also had the opportunity to be an integral part of many of the area’s prominent structures, most recently The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art Legacy Center, Rehoboth Beach City Hall, Salisbury University Athletic Complex fields, Amazon Distribution Center site in Middletown, Del., and NASA Wallops Island Launch Pad shoreline stabilization.

As part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to stay in front of the technological curve, DBF plans to introduce certified UAV (drone) services through the surveying department, offering cost-effective aerial mapping and rapid data acquisition within the next year. In addition to upgraded surveying services, DBF will also roll out a new, user-friendly website to meet the demands of today’s ever-changing technological landscape, all with the goal of strengthening client and staff relationships.

In the years to come, DBF looks forward to continuing to provide the highest level of professional services to their valued clients as they expand services and the people they serve. DBF has achieved this 35-year milestone of success and longevity by taking a client-first approach to every project. With all that has changed over the years, what has remained constant is DBF’s commitment toward satisfying client goals and a passion to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

“DBF has seen our communities grow in character and charm and is proud to have evolved with each. We would like to thank our clients, business associates, and employees, all of whom have contributed to the success of this company. We are truly grateful to serve our Eastern Shore communities,” said Crouch, looking back on the past 35 years.

Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., is a full-service architectural, engineering, planning and surveying firm with offices in Salisbury and Easton, Md., and in Milford, Del. For additional information about DBF, visit www.dbfinc.com.