Locations
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Brian Lieberg's Bio
Brian’s surveying expertise is a result of his passion for the exacting nature of developing and implementing surveying policies and procedures. As Director of Surveying, he oversees survey and reality capture operations at Wightman’s Allegan, Benton Harbor, and Kalamazoo offices. The 31-year land surveying veteran, who joined the company in 1994, also handles large-scale projects and mentors staff members working toward state licensing.
A project close to Brian’s heart is the Berrien County remonumentation project. He serves as a peer group member working on the effort to perpetuate and reestablish survey corners originally set in the 1800s. Among his other community-minded activities are volunteering as a fire fighter with the Royalton Township Fire Department and serving as Vice Chairman of the Royalton Township Planning Commission.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Utility
Commercial
Boundary
Litigation/expert testimony
Remonumentation
SERVICES
Survey
Reality Capture
Leadership
EXPERTISE
Government
Utilities
EDUCATION
B.S. Surveying Engineering,
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Surveyor in Michigan and Indiana
PSMJ Principals Bootcamp & Project Managers Bootcamp
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Peer Group Member of Berrien County Remonumentation Program
Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS)
Royalton Township Fire Department
Royalton Township Planning Commission
Trustee on the Wightman Board of Directors
Gregory Monberg's Bio
Greg is a recognized thought leader in educational architectural design. He joined Wightman as Director of Architecture in 2017, prior to which he was Director of Design Research for Fanning Howey Associates, including 22 years as a project architect, project manager, and firm principal. He is an advocate for meeting client’s needs through the Design Thinking process, a collaborative process that delivers high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
Greg serves as the Midwest Great Lakes Regional representative on the Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) Commission for the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), and as governor of the Michigan/Indiana Areas for the organization.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Architectural design
Educational facility planning
Master planning
Sustainable design
Strategic planning
Project management
Design thinking
Thought leadership
Training & development
Market research
Technical Skills: AutoCAD, SketchUP, BIM, Adobe Photoshop & SPSS
SERVICES
Architecture
Planning
Leadership
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Education
Government
EDUCATION
B.A. (B.Arch)
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
MBA
Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, IN
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Architect in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois & Ohio
Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction (LEED AP BD+C)
National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB) Certified
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
Distinguished Service Award, Midwest Great Lakes Region, Council of Educational Facility Planners International
Marketing Honor Award, Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University, South Bend
Wightman Rock Star Award Winner
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Schools for the Children of the World
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)
Habitat for Humanity
Trustee on the Wightman Board of Directors
PERSONAL NOTE
Since living for a year in Italy during college, Greg loves to travel, seeking out places with interesting people, good music, great food, and beautiful scenery.
Lisa Borre's Bio
With over a decade of human resource experience at Fortune 500 companies including Hyatt, Amazon, and FITCH/WPP, Lisa’s career path brought her back to the Mitten State when she became Director of Human Resources for Wightman in 2015. The first solely dedicated HR director in the company’s history, she has fostered growth opportunities for staff through establishment of a tuition reimbursement program, implementation of conflict resolution and emotional intelligence training, and development of a career path planning. Overall, Lisa’s goal is to support the business by attracting and retaining the best people who will do the best work for clients.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Executive Coaching
Organizational Development
Talent Management (Attraction/Retention)
SERVICES
Admin + Business Services
Leadership
EDUCATION
B.A. in HR, Psychology
Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
MBA in Entrepreneurship Business
Loyola University, Chicago, IL
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Leadership Accelerator Graduate
Crucial Conversations
Emotional Intelligence
Mental Health First Aid
CPR Certified
AWARDS
Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council 2017 Greatness Award in recognition of Leadership Contributions Fostering Leadership Accelerator
40 Under 40 Business Leader Recognition by Moody on the Market 2019
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council Leadership Accelerator Program
Society for Human Resource Managers Southwest Michigan Chapter
PERSONAL NOTE
Outside of work, Lisa is mother to a newborn daughter, two Schnoodles, and two amazing step kids. She and her husband enjoy the outdoors, especially beach time.
Matt Davis's Bio
Growing up in a family of real estate developers, Matt has worked in all aspects of planning, designing, developing, and operating real estate over the past 25 years. This diversity is the foundation for his role in assisting tribal, municipal, and private developers balance their objectives with their limited resources and impact on their environment. He is passionate about understanding business and organizational needs while finding funding sources to assist with project development.
Matt, who joined Wightman in 1994 and became President in 2015, is married with two grown sons. When he’s not handling his responsibilities of working on municipal water, sewer, bridge, wastewater treatment, building and site design projects, you might find him in the wilderness camping, hiking, running, or mountain biking with friends.
To learn more about Matt, check out this feature article from the Herald-Palladium. Matt Davis spotlight article.pdf
AREAS OF FOCUS
Tribal government projects
Local government projects
Funding & grant applications
Project planning development & management
Making problem projects successful
Multi-jurisdictional & complex projects
Project team development
SERVICES
Engineering
Admin + Business Services
Leadership
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Government
EDUCATION
B.S. Architectural Engineering
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Professional Engineer in Michigan
Construction Site Certified Stormwater Operator Michigan
Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Certified
PSMJ Principals Bootcamp & Project Managers Bootcamp
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC-MI) Firm of the Year for 2016
Wightman Rock Star Award Winner
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Council for Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC-MI)
Junior Achievement Volunteer
Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council
Leadership Accelerator Strategy Committee
Several construction boards of appeals
Regional Board for Horizon Bank
Cornerstone Alliance Chairman's Advisory Council
Southwest Michigan First Board of Directors
PERSONAL NOTE
Love spending time in the wilderness and with close friends.
Michael Williams's Bio
A lot happens behind the scenes at Wightman in order to provide smooth service to our clients. Mike is the one who oversees it. As Director of Finance, his purview includes providing strategic financial direction and advice to the Board, President, and Leadership Team as well as operational systems planning and implementation.
Joining Wightman in 2016 with nearly two decades of corporate finance experience, Mike provides leadership and employee development to the accounting and administrative staff who serve clients and staff through the vital functions of accounting, billing, payroll, and IT support. He takes the Wightman philosophy of “it’s all about people” to heart as he focuses his words and actions in a way that supports staff development and cultivates great teams at W+.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Taxation
Treasury
Financial statements
Risk management
Payables
Receivables
Payroll
Invoicing
Financial reporting
Influence management to make transformative decisions for the greater good
Information systems
Database architecture
SERVICES
Admin + Business Services
Leadership
EDUCATION
B.B.A. in Accountancy
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
M.S. Taxation
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
PERSONAL NOTE
There's only one place I want to go and it's to all the places I've never been.
Mickey Bittner's Bio
Mickey has been with the Wightman organization since 1996 and currently leads within the company as the Allegan Regional Director. In his client-facing role, he is a Quality Assurance/Quality Control Engineer with responsibility for analysis, design, and construction management for municipal and private engineering projects. His experience includes roadways, multipurpose trails, water main and sewer designs, as well as helping communities obtain grants and loans and prepare feasibility studies. He also assists clients with public engagement, consensus building, and scope determination.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Municipal engineering
Grant writing
Private development
Transportation
Construction administration
Feasibility & rate studies
SERVICES
Engineering
Leadership
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Government
EDUCATION
B.S. Civil Engineering
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Professional Engineer in Michigan
Construction Site Certified Stormwater Operator Michigan
Risk Assessment Methodology for Water Utilities Certified
PSMJ Principals Bootcamp & Project Managers Bootcamp
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
Wightman Rock Star Award Winner
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Council for Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC-MI)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Michigan Society Professional Engineers (MSPE)
Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA)
Wightman Board of Directors Treasurer
Active in church
Soccer coach
Baseball coach
PERSONAL NOTE
Active in church and coaching soccer and baseball, this Minnesota native is a loyal Vikings fan. This enables him to effectively commiserate each football season with Lions fans.
Richard D' Alessandro's Bio
Highly skilled in working with major universities, K-12 systems, commercial clients, and municipalities, Rick has been practicing architecture for 38 years. This Senior Project Manager in the Kalamazoo office brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company. He approaches the design process with an intensity that gives clients the tools and knowledge they need to thoroughly explore all viable options and make informed decisions about solving their space needs. His leadership skills allow him to build cohesive teams that guide projects from conception through design and construction within budget and on schedule.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Staff & resource development
Client visioning
Programming
Master planning
Site analysis
Facility assessment
Architectural design
Code analysis
Project documentation & detailing
Construction contract administration
SERVICES
Architecture
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Education
Government
EDUCATION
B.S. in Architecture
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Master in Architecture
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Architect Michigan
AWARDS
LeChase Hall, University of Rochester, AIA Design Excellence Award
Lincoln Park Middle School, AS&U Design Award
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
PERSONAL NOTE
When not helping to create great spaces, he can be easily persuaded to make great from-scratch pizza for family and friends.
Steve Carlisie's Bio
As Wightman’s Director of Engineering, Steve is responsible for the analysis, design, and construction management of municipal and private engineering projects including streets, utilities, private subdivisions, municipal planning, and parks and recreation facilities. He joined Wightman in 1997 and manages the Benton Harbor engineering team. He is passionate about mentoring staff as they pursue their project and career goals. He focuses on the team working effectively so Wightman values shine through including that of having flexibility to enjoy time with families and friends.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Transportation projects
Municipal utilities
Residential & commercial developments
Site design
Construction administration
SERVICES
Engineering
Leadership
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Government
EDUCATION
B.S. Civil Engineering
Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Professional Engineer in Michigan and Illinois
FHWA-NHI 130055 Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges
Construction Site Certified Stormwater Operator Michigan
Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Certified
PSMJ Principals Bootcamp & Project Managers Bootcamp
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
Dowagiac Quality of Life project - Michigan Municipal League Award-Better Streets Better Michigan
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Council for Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC-MI)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Lakeshore Youth Baseball and Softball Association, Board Member and Treasurer since 2016
Wightman Board of Directors Secretary
PERSONAL NOTE
Steve keeps busy attending his two kids’ sporting events and is a die-hard Michigan State University football and basketball fan. When the weather is good, you’ll find this master griller making his amazing chicken wings, but don’t expect him to share his sauce recipe with you.
Operations
Ben Baker's Bio
Ben Baker was hired in 2013 to expand Wightman’s professional services to include landscape architecture. Since then, landscape architecture has played an important part in several key projects including the award-winning streetscape in Dowagiac. As landscape architecture manager, Ben applies his more than 15 years of experience to master plans, streetscapes, playgrounds, parks and recreation, site plans, commercial landscape plans, and placemaking. He is a LEED accredited professional knowledgeable about green infrastructure, including the design of more than 150,000 sq. ft. of green roof plantings. Ben also leads Wightman’s internal GREEN team to incorporate sustainability into the workplace.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Landscape Architecture
Non-motorized transportation
Parks & recreation
Green infrastructure
Recreation planning
Streetscapes
SERVICES
Engineering
Landscape Architecture
Planning
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Education
Government
Utilities
EDUCATION
B.L.A. with High Honors
Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
Professional Landscape Architect in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois
LEED Accredited Professional
Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Best Practice Training Series
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
PERSONAL AWARDS:
Moody on the Market 40 under 40 for Michigan's Great Southwest, 2018
Michigan Chapter of ASLA Distinguished Member, 2018
Michigan ASLA Student Honor Award, 2004
Cornerstone Alliance Green Business Award, 2016
PROJECT AWARDS:
Dowagiac Commercial Street: MML and MDOT Better Streets, Better Michigan Award
Randolph-Franklin Pocket Park (IL-ASLA Honor Award, 2011)
The University of Chicago Law School Reflecting Pool Renovation (IL-ASLA President’s Award, 2009)
Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, The Chicago Police Memorial (IL-ASLA Honor Award, 2008)
The Gary Greenlink (IL-ASLA Merit Award, 2005)
Ben also worked on the Cheney Mansion Master Plan for the Park District of Oak Park, the first phase of improvements, focusing on accessibility, received an IL-ASLA Merit Award in 2012
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Michigan, Chapter President and volunteer
National Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Committee member and volunteer
St. Joseph Charter Township Planning Commission
Steelhead Triathlon Volunteer
4H leader
Parking Day volunteer -coordinator
AYSO soccer coach
Special Olympics Coach
Brown School PTO involvement and volunteer
Volunteer at Water Street Glassworks
Volunteer at Road to Life Church and member of the worship team
Involvement and presenter at many of the local Sustainable Business Forum events.
PERSONAL NOTE
I enjoy the outdoors, working around the house and learning new things. I’ve been brewing beer for over 10 years and have been crowned the Wightman Brew-off Champion in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019. I also enjoy playing music, especially the guitar and banjo. My wife and I have two great children and a flock of chickens.
Carl Baxmeyer's Bio
Over the past 40 years of helping organizations and the people who run them chart a course for the future, there isn’t much Carl hasn’t worked on. As a community planner, he has completed municipal and private sector projects that span the spectrum from brownfield site redevelopment and Lake Michigan marina master planning to adaptive reuse of a monastery and bond application work for one of the largest school districts in the U.S. While his experience is diverse, the fundamental process Carl uses across projects is the same: identify needs, generate cost-effective solutions, and provide answers that are implementable.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Master planning
Facility Assessments/Asset Management
Demographic studies & projections
Project management
SERVICES
Architecture
Planning
EXPERTISE
Commercial
Education
Government
EDUCATION
B.S. Environmental Science/Planning
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
M.S. Natural Resource Management/Planning
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Member
Recognized Educational Facility Planner (REFP)
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)
AWARDS
Outstanding Service Award, U.S. Census Bureau (first office in the country to finish the 1990 Census with no objections filed)
PERSONAL NOTE
When he isn’t developing plans for others, he’s solving problems around his own home in true “Tool Time Tim” fashion, but only after a relaxing round of golf.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
Jamie Balkin's Bio
If you’ve seen Wightman at a trade show, on social media, or in the news, chances are you’ve experienced Jamie’s work. As Director of Marketing, she develops Wightman’s communications and marketing strategies, plans internal and external events, manages publications, and leads the company’s online presence. She joined Wightman in 2014, but her marketing experience dates back to 1995 when she began her career with Cornerstone Alliance in Benton Harbor.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Public relations
Marketing
Event planning & execution
Helping clients with groundbreakings & ribbon cutting ceremonies
Communications & marketing plans
Social media
SERVICES
Admin + Business Services
Leadership
EDUCATION
B.A. Communications with a Minor in Marketing
Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & REGISTRATIONS
PSMJ Project Managers Bootcamp
Managing from the Middle offered through Southwest Michigan First
Various Leadership Trainings including: Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Catalyst University as well as others.
AWARDS
Recognized as a Business Leader under 40 by Business Review Western Michigan in 2006
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Member of American Marketing Association (AMA) Southwest Michigan Chapter
Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council
United Way of Southwest Michigan as a Community Investment Team Member
Volunteer with Junior Achievement at Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School
Lake Michigan Catholic Schools
Served as a member of the Public Relations Committee for Habitat for Humanity International’s Jimmy Carter Work Project to held in Benton Harbor in June of 2005.
PERSONAL NOTE
Jamie uses her leadership skills to mentor young people through Junior Achievement and serve on Michigan’s Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council. She played an integral role during the development of Harbor Shores including managing publication of a coffee table book about the project. In her off hours, you can find Jamie cheering on her middle schooler in basketball and soccer.
