Meridian Engineering has been working together with the VCBO Architecture team for the design of a beautiful, high-utilization, three-story educational facility. Meridian’s site design role began with design grade topographic survey, boundary analysis, and amended subdivision platting. Civil engineering included site grading and drainage plans for six parking lots, bus and parent drop zones, and five sports playfields including tennis courts and a collegial style football field connecting with tunnels to the east side of the school for convenient team access to locker rooms. In addition, Meridian provided site utility design for all new sewer, water, storm drain connections, and access roadways. The roadway was near to a floodplain which required hydrology analysis and Hec Ras modelling of existing FEMA Flood path and design for a large box culvert crossing the new roadway.
The new 336,000 square foot school was built by Hughes Construction to serve 1800 students with flexible learning spaces, collaborative learning suites with maker space labs optimizing daylight. Deseret Peak High School is located at 2244 N. Berra Blvd., in Tooele. Congratulations to Tooele County School District bringing this visionary project to life!
We’re excited to announce an important milestone in Meridian’s journey—Meridian has officially transitioned to new ownership through a strategic employee buyout.
What does this mean for you… our clients and colleagues? You’ll continue to work with the same familiar faces you know and trust. Now, under the leadership of the new ownership team—who have already been actively guiding Meridian’s projects for the last 20 years—you can expect continued dedication and a fresh perspective as we move forward.
What’s Next: 4 Ways Meridian is Elevating our Value to Clients
1. Client-Focused Engagement
Our clients are the reason we’ve thrived for 28 years. With renewed focus on engagement and operational strategies, we’re enhancing our responsiveness and visibility to ensure stronger relationships and better communication. Since our founding in 1997, we’ve increased client recognition with a current retention rate of 86%.
2. Scalable Financial Structure
Our forward-looking business plan includes a more robust financial foundation, designed to support growth. This includes consistent invoicing procedures, timely payment coordination, and proactive communication aimed at streamlining project timelines and improving your experience working with Meridian.
3. Operational Excellence and Innovation
We understand the most important deliverable we can provide are accurate, high quality work, on time and within budget. To further minimize problems we are improving internal processes with our talented staff, continuous employee training, and advanced accounting methods. By investing in efficient technologies and quality standards, we’re increasing productivity and elevating client confidence for successful project deliverables.
4. Empowered People and Team Culture
Our culture is rooted in excellence, accountability, and recognition. We invest in people who are committed to growth and high performance. This focus has allowed us to achieve an employee retention rate of 90% and cultivate a team that is as passionate about your project’s success as you are.
This ownership transition is more than a business change, it’s a launchpad for the future. At the heart of our strategy is leadership development, ensuring our leaders are empowered to inspire innovation, accountability, and growth at every level of the company. Under this new leadership, we are confident that Meridian Engineering will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible while maintaining our commitment to quality and client satisfaction. Michael, Nichole and Tyler are each passionate about fostering a collaborative culture and are eager to engage with our clients and stakeholders to further enhance our services.
Please join us in welcoming them! We look forward to continuing our partnership and delivering the trusted service you’ve come to expect—only better.
Warm regards,
The Meridian Engineering Team
Steve Johnson, PE-Transportation Engineer & Founder – Retired Darryl Fenn, PLS-Former President & Founder J. Randall Vickers, PE-Former Vice President & Founder
From our Former President:
Dear Friends, Clients, and Colleagues,
On behalf of Meridian’s three founders, Steve Johnson, Randall Vickers, and myself Darryl Fenn, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey and the relationships we have built along the way over the past 28 years. It has been a privilege to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and we are thankful for the trust and support you have shown throughout our tenure.
After careful consideration, we have decided to retire. However, we are pleased to share that we will be working part-time for a short period to assist in transitioning Meridian into new ownership. Working at Meridian and with our clients has been more than just a job; it has felt like a second home. The relationships we have formed with each of you have provided joy and inspiration. It has been a pleasure collaborating with remarkable people in the A/E/C community.
Throughout the years, we have tackled challenges, celebrated successes, and shared countless memories. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals.
As we transition into retirement, we look forward to supporting Meridian and ensuring a smooth handover. We are pleased to announce that Michael W. Nadeau will be the new President of Meridian Engineering. The entire ownership team of Michael, Tyler and Nichole bring a wealth of experience to the A&E industry with strong backgrounds in project management, innovation, client relations, and contracting. They are well-equipped to lead the Meridian team as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
We are confident that, under new ownership, Meridian will continue to thrive and serve our state and communities. Your support, collaboration, and camaraderie have made our careers deeply fulfilling.
Meridian Engineering’s field crews recently conducted surveying services on BIA Route 1 Ibapah road through tribal lands. This road is requiring renovation due to deterioration over the years. Crews encountered a few interesting survey monuments dating back to 1934 along with enjoying spectacular desert scenery.
While partnering with UDOT Region 2, Meridian collected monumentation for the Public Land Surveying System with oversight support from our own Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS), provided design quality mapping, and developed existing right of way files to support design for this 35-mile long corridor. Our scope included establishing a primary static GPS control network, identifying and observing right of way markers, performing UAV aerial surveys of the corridor, developing and leveling secondary control for the contractor, and creating detailed base mapping.
Our senior UAV pilot secured the necessary permissions for these aerial operations while coordinating with Tooele County, the Goshute Housing Authority, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and ensured compliance with UDOT aeronautical requirements.
The celebration included guided tours of the new facility and reflections on the gym’s rich legacy. Guests were honored by the presence of former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and professional heavyweight boxer Fres Oquendo, who inspired the community through their participation and support.
Meridian was honored to contribute to this meaningful project by providing a range of civil engineering services. Our scope included a topographic survey, easement coordination, site and utility demolition plans, site layout and paving design, and new utility plans servicing the building—covering sewer, water, roof drainage systems and concrete pad for future outdoor events. We commend the generosity of the project team, including VCBO Architecture and Gramoll Construction, who donated time and services to help bring this community-focused facility to life.
Happy Women in Construction Week! Meridian Engineering would like to recognize and celebrate Heather Butler, its Construction Staking and Layout Field Crew Leader who performs a vital role with performing precise property alignments, curb and gutter, grade staking, right of way lines, and mapping of utility locations and grid lines for building layouts.
For over six years, Heather has been a dedicated Crew Chief at Meridian playing a vital role in construction staking and layout. She shares: “Every day in the field brings something new. One day, I might be working in wetlands near wildlife; the next, I’m staking curb and gutter in the mud at a local government site. No matter the location, our team is always building strong relationships with our partner construction crews. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a project come to life and know the hard team work that went into making it happen.” Meridian is honored to have dedicated women serving the land survey industry. Thank you Heather!
