LJA Engineering acquires Grounds Anderson

HOUSTON — LJA Engineering, Inc. (LJA) has acquired Grounds Anderson, LLC, a Houston-based firm who, since 2004, has specialized in stormwater management, analysis and design of water resource systems, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Grounds Anderson staff are skilled in the execution of engineering, computer modeling, GIS and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.

"Dr. John Grounds and Elle Anderson have been industry leaders in floodplain hydrology and mapping for more than nine years", says Calvin Ladner, President of LJA. "Their inclusion in the LJA family greatly strengthens our Water Resources Division."

The addition of Grounds Anderson’s innovative water resource systems and floodplain management expertise complements LJA’s 40-plus year history of providing successful solutions to complex drainage, detention and flood control challenges in Houston and the surrounding areas. Key Grounds Anderson staff, John S. Grounds, III, Ph.D., P.E., CFM, D.WRE, and Elle L. Anderson, P.E., CFM, successfully managed the completion of the largest and most technologically advanced Flood Insurance Study in the United States for all of Harris County — the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project for Harris County Flood Control District.

Says John Grounds, "We are pleased to combine our strengths with LJA to continue to offer superior services in flood plain management and water resources."

Grounds Anderson’s principals are very active in the water resources community and are members of and on the boards of numerous professional associations and organizations, and have authored more than 50 technical publications and presentations related to extreme rainfall events, Geographic Information Systems, LiDAR, and floodplain management.

"Grounds Anderson brings significant experience in working with both the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and with Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) on large complex flood modeling and mapping projects. In addition, John and Elle are leaders in the development of tools to efficiently evaluate and map flood conditions for both public and private clients. They bring significant experience, capability, and technical expertise that complements and enhances LJA’s strong Water Resources staff," says LJA’s Senior Consultant, Dave Winslow.

In addition, Grounds Anderson brings extensive knowledge of Geographic Information Systems which will complement LJA’s GIS strategies which continue to be at the forefront of emerging technology providing value-added services for our clients.