National Engineering Firm Enhances Environmental Consulting Capabilities—GAI Consultants Acquires Lotspeich and Associates, Inc.

Orlando, Fla. – GAI Consultants, Inc. (GAI), a national engineering and environmental consulting firm, announced today that as of January 1, 2013, it acquired Winter Park-based, ecological consulting firm Lotspeich and Associates, Inc. (L&A).

“The regional experience of Lotspeich and Associates combined with the national presence and staffing of GAI Consultants will provide a preeminent resource for environmental assessments throughout Florida and the entire southeast,” says Karl Lotspeich, current Principal of L&A and new Senior Director with GAI.

Lotspeich and Associates specialize in ecological sciences consulting, including wetland delineation and permitting, protected species surveys and management, GIS land use mapping, eminent domain assessments, and habitat evaluation and restoration. Their staff has diverse experience with the evaluation and characterization of ecological systems, and assists clients in the interpretation and compliance with all levels of regulatory and permitting requirements.

In the development sector, L&A’s work supports both private and public/municipal clients, including a broad range of engineers, architects, planners, and attorneys. In the natural sciences sector, the firm serves as a prime consultant working directly for the federal government, state government, as well as local counties and municipalities.

GAI President and CEO, Gary DeJidas, PE, describes the L&A acquisition as “…a strategic union that brings together two companies with a long-standing professional relationship built on mutual respect, integrity, and a commitment to provide superior client service.”

Lotspeich and Associates, Inc. will relocate to the GAI Building in downtown Orlando to take advantage of GAI’s accounting, marketing, and administrative services.

About Lotspeich and Associates, Inc. (L&A). Founded in1980, the firm was instrumental in developing new techniques for land reclamation, wetland restoration, integration of protected species into managed lands and off-site mitigation. Today, the firm (with over 120 years collective experience) is led by Renee L. Thomas and Karl G. Lotspeich and continues to successfully permit, manage, and conduct ecological assessments—particularly wetland projects—throughout the State of Florida, the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. Notable projects currently supported by L&A include, the Sharpes Ferry Bridge and Olustee Creek Bridge Replacement projects, the Design-Build effort for the much-anticipated Florida Sunrail project – Phase I, and several segments of the Wekiva Parkway project located in Lake and Seminole County, Florida.

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