The History of MRB Group

Nearly 100 Years of Excellence

As one of the longest-established professional engineering, architecture, and municipal services firms, MRB Group has earned an outstanding reputation for excellence.

We are a trusted partner to the communities and clients we serve.

1927 – Meloy Smith, P.E., L.S., establishes consulting, engineering, and surveying firm in the City of Rochester.

1930-1960 – The firm grows and develops specialized expertise in civil, water and wastewater engineering.

1960-1970 – Kenneth Hershey, PE, renames the firm Smith Denluck Hershey.

Anthony Malone, P.E. and Richard Norton, P.E. become partners, forming Smith Hershey Malone and Norton. The firm relocates to Penfield, NY.

1970s – After the passing of Meloy Smith, the firm is renamed Hershey, Malone & Associates; architectural services are expanded.

1980s – Following the retirement of Ken Hershey, the firm acquires Harnish & Lookup of Newark, increasing the number of employees to 50. MRB Group Engineering, Architecture, and Surveying, P.C. is formed.

1990s – MRB Group’s client base expands across the state of New York.

Anthony Malone retires, naming Gregory Barbour, P.E., President and CEO.

2000s – Following Gregory Barbour’s passing, Thomas Pavone, P.E., is named acting President and CEO of MRB Group.

In 2007, James Gresens, P.E., becomes CEO and President, expanding MRB Group’s service area to PA, GA, NC, FL, and TX.

2010 – Gresens directs the firm’s relocation back to the City of Rochester, forming a new Corporate Headquarters within an adaptive reuse of the historic Culver Road Armory.

2011 – Ryan Colvin, P.E., is named President & CEO of MRB Group; James Oberst, P.E., is named Executive Vice President & COO.

2012 to 2019 – Firm expands water, wastewater divisions with licensed operators.

SmarterLocalGov, the municipal services division of MRB Group, is formed to provide strategic planning services to strengthen local governments.

Additional MRB Group offices open in Syracuse, NY, and in Temple, TX.

MRB Group acquires Architectural Edge and Chatfield Engineers expanding teams and professional services.

SmarterLocalGov is expanded to include economic development services and strategic plan implementation.

MRB Group opens a Finger Lakes Office in Geneva, and a Capitol District Office in Saratoga Springs, NY.

In 2019, MRB Group acquires BSP Engineers, adding several team members, broadening the services available to clients, and establishing a new office in Waco, TX.

2020 – MRB Group combines two Temple, TX, offices into one newly renovated, expanded location in downtown Temple.

2021 – MRB Group opens office in Charleston, SC.

2022 – HBT Architects joins MRB Group, adding several team members, broadening the architecture services available to clients, as well as establishing a new office in Ann Arbor, MI, and a second Rochester office in the historic Neighborhood of the Arts.

Our Services Include:

Engineering

Structural & Civil Engineering to Strengthen Communities

Architecture

Master Planning, Facility Design, Construction Administration

SmarterLocalGov

Municipal, Economic Development and Strategic Planning Services

Grant Services

Finding, Securing, and Managing Critical Funding Opportunities

JULIANNE OEHLBECK, Esq.

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Julie is a business-minded and solutions focused Chief Legal Officer with extensive in-house experience. She is known for being a trusted and strategic advisor in fast-paced growth environments. Julie has a proven track record of building strong relationships and delivering creative and value-add solutions that grow the business, enhance company culture, minimize risk and build efficiencies. She has worked in a multitude of industries including food and beverage, consumer products, internet/e-commerce and telecommunications on domestic and international matters. She is also passionate about the Board service she offers to Chenango Memorial Hospital as executive on the Board, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committees.

Timothy Carpenter, P.E.

Syracuse Operations Manager (Management Team)

Tim Carpenter, P.E. delivers more than 35 years of experience as an engineer and project manager in a number of capacities across military, construction, facilities management, environmental, and manufacturing industries. Proven leader in the design, construction administration, and operations of water and wastewater treatment plants, anaerobic digestion facilities, design and permitting of chemical systems, petroleum system and stormwater management systems, preparation and ongoing management of air emissions permits.

DIANA M. SMITH

Business Development Director

As Former Mayor of the Village of Seneca Falls, and Past-President of New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), Diana Smith has years of direct experience in state and local government, municipal strategic planning, budgeting, service delivery, and operations. Her focus on municipal efficiency resulted in the creation of Strategic Municipal Initiatives, an award-winning project that led to the development of SmarterLocalGov, the Municipal Services Division of MRB Group.

THOMAS J. FROMBERGER, P.E.

Team Leader

Tom Fromberger is an experienced engineer and innovative design professional, recognized for successful, cost-effective solutions that resolve issues in challenging environments. He possesses a wealth of industrial, commercial, residential, municipal, and recreational design experience, with a unique ability to expedite regulatory permitting and approvals.

SCOTT BOVA, A.I.A., NCARB

Architecture Team Leader

Scott Bova is a creative, solution-oriented professional architect with hands-on project management experience. His team leadership involves coordinating the talent of several creative architects, who each compliment the team’s unique ability to transform abstract visions into a tangible, functional, aesthetically pleasing—and affordable—end product.

BILL DAVIS

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (Ex Officio & Management Team)

With years of direct experience, Bill Davis is often sought out by peers as a leader in civil and environmental engineering. He is a leading wastewater expert. His focus includes evaluation of wastewater operations, system design, construction-phase services, and troubleshooting process challenges in water and wastewater treatment facilities and system components.

PATRICK A. NICOLETTA, P.E.

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (BOD & Management Team)

Pat Nicoletta’s leadership involves hands-on engineering, field expertise, and operational experience. His diverse background in water and wastewater includes analysis, planning, funding, system design, and construction phase services. Pat’s strength is in finding innovative ways to solve utility issues in a manner that’s cost-effective and affordable for rural communities—and he is driven to far exceed client expectations.

JAMES J. OBERST, P.E.

Executive VP & COO

Jim Oberst’s leadership focuses on streamlined and efficient operations, for both MRB Group’s internal functions and external client support processes. His extensive expertise in engineering, project and team management, LEED/environmental principles, and strategic planning benefits communities and private sector clients who rely on his trusted counsel.

RYAN T. COLVIN, P.E.

President/CEO (BOD & Management Team)

Ryan Colvin is a dynamic and driven engineer and organizational leader, with a long history of serving as trusted advisor to municipal officials across the State of New York. His practical and realistic focus on helping local governments achieve long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability has earned MRB Group the reputation of serving as a partner to client communities. Many have worked with Ryan and MRB Group for decades.

DAVID M. DOYLE, P.E.

Vice President (BOD & Management Team)

Dave Doyle is a respected civil engineer, project team leader, and operations expert. His extensive involvement in the study, planning, and design of municipal infrastructure projects includes both water supply and sanitary sewer improvements. He has assisted many rural communities with developing, funding, and implementing critical projects which have resolved significant environmental challenges and infrastructure needs.