Simplify Solutions—
Passionately Design the Future.

About YOUR ISG

One Firm. Ten Offices. Endless Solutions.

Commitment

True and responsive expertise—these qualities are the foundation on which ISG was built in 1973. Now, we stand as a nationally recognized multi-disciplinary design and engineering firm. Tenacity, empathy, and ingenuity all sum up how we strive to be Your ISG.

Focus

Empathy
We strive to see things from your perspective, and provide expertise and advice to improve your condition.

Relationships
Relationships are at our core. We learn more when we listen, and we deliver better results from those two-way, connected relationships.

True + Responsive Expertise
The original, simple foundation to our success dating back to 1973.

Aspirations
All of us have them, and they can be different, but as a firm, we are the sum of our collective aspirations.

Winning
Winning is the tangible result of being selected, and doing "it" right. Making the basket is where the points are, but doing it repetitively comes from great assist makers. Winning provides inspiration. Inspiration provides results.

Contextual Design
We have developed an ISG process to deliver quality solutions that meet or exceed a client's vision. Context is merely taking in all of the factors beyond four walls - site, community, image, goals, future, connectivity, etc.

Alternative Analysis
Alternative analysis requires one option to always be what the client asks, but two more that may enhance or alter their way of thinking. It's a unique balance between empathy and expertise, driven by context and the client.

Better Decisions, Faster
Develop consensus sooner. Draw a sketch, investigate an idea, and agree before committing big resources on an errant path; we seek to foster a better decisions mentality mindset.

Agility
Yesterday can look like today, and today can look like tomorrow, but when you look over the course of 2-5 years, you recognize quickly that things are dynamic, not static. We are dynamic and come with a drive and willingness to focus on what matters most; listening, building trust, investing, developing, designing, and growing.

Growth
Evolution
  • Founded in 1973, Mankato, MN: Gene Isakson and Ken Surprenant formalized I&S Engineers in Surprenant’s basement.
  • 1973 to 1998: Developed a stable client base to sustain the business.
  • 1999 to 2005: Achieved redundancy in service offerings and added services to satisfy client needs.
  • 2005-2010: Adapted to client-centric strategy to achieve business growth and sustainability.
  • 2011-2018: Shifted from Client-Centric to Market-Centric execution of strategies.
  • 2018: Celebrated 45 years of true expertise and working ingenuity from humble beginnings.
Dynamic Business Model
  • Embraced change from geographic-centric to client-centric models, and shifted to current market-relationship model.
  • Transitioned from single ownership and shareholder model to 100% ESOP.
  • Leveraged a dynamic and diverse Board of Directors for internal and external influence.
  • Utilize a three-dimensional structure that fosters accountability, leadership, and engagement in practice groups, markets, and geographic locations.
  • Operates as a one-firm profit center.
Horsepower
  • Expanded from a humble beginning to more than 300 employee owners.
  • Completed several acquisitions to solidify market expertise, enhance services, and grow geographic-based expertise.
  • Expanded Minnesota geographic office footprint into Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
  • Developed office and market presence in urban core areas to serve clients and recruit talent.
Impact
  • Ranked #292 on Engineering News Record (ENR) 500 list.
  • Received designation on Inc. 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America list.
  • Earned Top 10 spots on Zweig Group Hot Firm list.
  • Received PSMJ Circle of Excellence designations.
  • Continue to embrace change and diversity.
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ISG on the Move

Midwest-Based ISG Pushes for Positive Architecture and Engineering Industry Impact

June 27, 2019 – Nationwide impact is being led by Midwest-based ESOP firm ISG, with the firm having earned a Top 10 spot on the coveted Zweig Group Top 100 Hot Firm List. The architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with 300 professionals in offices across four states has earned a spot on the list for eight years in a row, breaking through the Top 10 in 2019 to surpass last year’s #14 Hot Firm ranking. ISG also earned, again, a Marketing Excellence Award and Best Firms to Work For designation in various categories, including multi-disciplinary.
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ISG Expands Architecture and Engineering Footprint into Minneapolis West End

June 13, 2019 – ISG, a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, recently added a second Twin Cities offices location in the West End of Minneapolis, its third within the State. With deep Minnesota roots that date back to the firm’s inception in Mankato over 46 years ago, ISG has grown to 300+ professionals with clients nationwide and offices in four states. The firm’s West End location will be its 10th office for the 100% ESOP, complementing Bloomington and Mankato in Minnesota.
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ISG Breaks Through Rankings – Earns New Spot on ENR Top 500

May 9, 2019 – ISG, an architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, was recently recognized, again, as one of the Country’s leading design firms by the Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s annual industry rankings. ISG broke through the 300 mark, continuing on an upward trajectory that builds upon 2018’s ranking of #324 and jumps 195+ spots from positions held over the past four years.
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ALEP Certification Proves Invaluable to Local Schools

January 17, 2019 - Paul Lawton, AIA, LEED, AP, ALEP, ISG Vice President of Architecture, recently became just the fourth Minnesota licensed architect to be certified as an Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP). With additional licenses, specifically for design, throughout the Midwest and directly serving Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and The Dakotas, Paul not only leads ISG’s Architecture group, but has directly contributed to some of the most impactful referendums and PreK-12 advancements in the Midwest.
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