Zweig Group acquires Ignite Consulting, Expands into Salt Lake City

Fayetteville, Ark. — Zweig Group, a global provider of products and services to the AEC industry and publisher of Civil + Structural Engineer, acquired Ignite Coaching and Consulting, a full-service management, marketing and business development firm specialized in serving the AEC industry.

“As Zweig Group continues to set the gold standard for M&A advisory services to the AEC industry, it is a unique distinction for our firm to grow ourselves in the same way that we help clients across the nation,” said Jamie Claire Kiser, Zweig Group managing principal & CFO. “We are honored to provide the rocket fuel to boost Jen and Ignite to new heights as we combine forces.”

The acquisition, which further expands Zweig Group’s bench of service offerings, parallels a series of strategic key hires focused on elevating the firm’s capabilities in training, strategy, branding, and traditional marketing consulting services. The two firms will immediately begin operating under the Zweig Group brand, with the newly combined firm continuing its focus on clients in the built environment but with additional capabilities to serve the general construction market.

“Demand for development and training is at an all-time high according to our research,” said Chad Clinehens, PE, Zweig Group president and CEO. “Ignite brings coaching, training, and advisory services that AEC firms need now. Jen’s specialty in marketing and business development is especially attractive to our firm and fits well in our new mission to elevate the industry.”

“It was a natural fit. I have long been an admirer of the Zweig Group and am thrilled to be able to offer my clients the resources of the premier management consulting firm in the AEC,” said Jen Newman, founder of Ignite and a 20+ year veteran of the AEC industry. She added, “There is no greater satisfaction than helping organizations and individuals succeed in achieving their goals and Zweig is positioned to provide everything a firm needs to do so while growing their people and profits. I am honored to be part of a team with a mission to Elevate the Industry.”

The acquisition adds a Salt Lake City location for Zweig Group, and provides the firm access to their growing western U.S. client base.