Spencer O’Dell

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Monthly InsidAR - September 2025

ABC Excellence in Construction Awards

On the evening of September 18th the West Michigan chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ held their Excellence In Constructions Awards Event.  The Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards recognize the best of commercial construction in west Michigan.  The evening was a game show themed extravaganza with over 650 attendees.  Winners were announced, awards collected and fun was had by all.  AR Engineering was thrilled to attend our first EIC and we congratulate all the winners. 

Bronson Children’s WAlk

AR Engineering was proud to once again participate in the Bronson Children's Hospital Run and Walk on Sunday, September 29, 2025. We are grateful to continue our partnership with such a remarkable community healthcare provider for this great cause. A big thank you to Bronson Children's Hospital and all healthcare providers for their tireless service. We had a great time joining community members from across the area to walk and run on a beautiful fall day.

Fall WMU engineering expo

Whitney Pizzala and Carolyn Kurtz participated in the Fall Engineering Expo at Western Michigan University on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The event was held in Floyd Hall on the Parkview Campus, the home of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Whitney and Carolyn had the opportunity to meet with WMU students and share information about civil engineering, surveying, and internship opportunities. The AR Engineering team appreciates the chance to support students at WMU and looks forward to attending this excellent event each year.

🏌️‍♀️ MSPS SW michigan golf outing 🏌️‍♀️

On September 4th, AR Engineering participated in the annual SW Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) Golf Outing. It was a beautiful day for golf at Saskatoon Golf Club in Alto, Michigan.  This annual event is a great opportunity to gather and connect with fellow surveyors near the end of a very busy surveying year.  AR Engineering’s Team of Sam Kindermann, and Thom Carpenter recorded a respectable five under par for their round just a few strokes off the lead. 

⛳AIA/NAWIC/CFMA Golf outing⛳

AR Engineering was proud to take part in the recent joint golf outing hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Southwest Michigan, Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Kalamazoo/Battle Creek. This annual event brought together professionals from across the design and construction industry for a day of connection, collaboration, and community impact.

Beyond a fun day on the course, the outing supported a meaningful cause—raising funds for student scholarships. Investing in future architects, engineers, and construction professionals ensures that our industry continues to grow stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive. AR Engineering is honored to play a role in supporting the next generation of leaders who will shape our built environment. The event also provided a great opportunity to connect with clients, colleagues, and industry partners in a relaxed setting. We value the relationships we’ve built and enjoyed the chance to strengthen those connections while supporting a worthy mission.

We extend our thanks to AIA Southwest Michigan, NAWIC Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, and CFMA for organizing such an impactful event. AR Engineering looks forward to continuing to support initiatives that give back to our community and foster the future of our profession.

Monthly InsidAR - August 2025

Annual AR Company Picnic

Our company picnic was the perfect way to wrap up summer! Families gathered to enjoy some mouthwatering BBQ, plenty of sides, and sweet treats that hit the spot. While a few pickleball matches brought out some friendly competition, the real crowd-pleaser was relaxing together and catching some college football as the season kicked off. The kids enjoyed the playground, various yard games and fishing from the pier. Nothing beats good food, great company, and cheering on your team. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a fun day!

AR Engineering volunteers with Habitat for humanity

On August 26, a team from AR Engineering spent the day with Habitat for Humanity working on a local house project. The team spent the day placing a termite shield around the perimeter as well as preparing the foundation for a modular home to be constructed upon. Everyone was able to bring their construction skills as well as try out new techniques and tools. We were honored to be a small part in bringing a home to a family in Kalamazoo!

🏌️‍♀️ asce southwest michigan golf outing 🏌️‍♀️

AR Engineering was proud to participate in the annual ASCE Southwest Michigan Branch Golf Outing at The Lynx Golf Club in Otsego. It was a beautiful day spent on the course with great company and even better weather! Our team—Whitney Pizzala, Spencer O’Dell, and Emily Grunewald—had a fantastic time supporting ASCE’s mission to raise scholarship funds for future civil engineers. Events like these are a great reminder of the strong community we have in Southwest Michigan and the importance of investing in the next generation of professionals. Thanks to ASCE for hosting another successful outing, and to all the sponsors and participants who made it a memorable day!

AR Team pickleball outing

Our corporate pickleball outing was a huge hit! 🎉 From beginners picking up a paddle for the first time to a couple who have played before showing off their skills, everyone got in on the action. The courts were filled with plenty of laughs, a little friendly competition, and lots of team spirit. It was the perfect way to step out of the office, stay active, and connect with coworkers in a fun, relaxed setting. We are already talking about the possibility of a rematch! 🏓✨

Monthly InsidAR - July 2025

🏗️ Summer Project highlights from AR Engineering

As summer winds down, we’re proud to reflect on the impactful work our team has contributed to across Michigan and Indiana. From residential communities to vital infrastructure and healthcare facilities, our commitment to thoughtful design and responsive service continues to shape the places people live, work, and connect.

🌟 Springs at Mishawaka
A 280-unit multi-family development offering premium amenities and seamless access to South Bend and Mishawaka. ARE is providing services including surveying, civil design, inspection, and staking. Sam Kindermann, our Survey Crew Chief, has played a key role with construction staking and contractor coordination, helping ensure smooth execution and clear communication throughout the build.

🌟 Riverwalk Lofts – Hastings, MI
Groundbreaking took place July 1st along the scenic Thornapple River. This vibrant mixed-use development will feature 135 modern apartments, a farmers’ market, and a daycare facility—just steps from the Riverwalk Trail and downtown. Spencer O'Dell, P.E. led the project as Project Manager and Designer, guiding the civil design and coordination efforts to bring this exciting community vision to life.

🌟 Village of Mattawan
Nearly 2,000 feet of AC watermain replacements in the Village are nearing completion, and ARE has been proud to support the project with on-site inspection services. Brian Chobot, our Construction Inspector, has played a key role in ensuring quality and compliance throughout the build. With certifications in Storm Water Management Operation, SESC Plan Review and Design, and Construction Inspection Project Management through APWA, Brian brings a sharp eye and deep technical knowledge to every site he oversees.

🌟 Corewell Health – Grand Rapids Area
A new outpatient medical facility is under construction, and ARE is proud to support the project with comprehensive civil design services. Carolyn Kurtz, P.E., has played a key role in site design, bringing her experience in both small and large-scale commercial and healthcare projects to the table. Her work includes public utility extensions, stormwater design, HMA pathway planning, and grading—ensuring the site is functional, accessible, and aligned with community needs.

We’re grateful to our clients and partners for trusting us to deliver solutions that are both technically sound and community-minded.

Surveying with Purpose: Technology-Driven Solutions at AR Engineering LLC

At AR Engineering, we believe that accurate data is the foundation of responsible development. Our surveying services are designed not just to meet technical standards—but to support communities, empower decision-makers, and ensure long-term resilience. Innovative Tools, Trusted Results We integrate advanced technologies like drone surveying and 3D laser scanning to deliver high-resolution data with speed and precision. These tools allow us to:

  • Reduce field time and improve safety

  • Capture complex site conditions with clarity

  • Support smarter planning and design decisions

From boundary surveys to topographic mapping and construction staking, our team brings a collaborative, responsive approach to every project—whether it’s a local road improvement or a regional development initiative. We’re proud to support municipalities, developers, and institutions with surveying solutions that reflect our commitment to quality, integrity, and community impact. Let’s build better—together.

West Michigan ABC Awards

This July AR Engineering participated in the judging for the West Michigan chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Excellence in Constructions Awards.  Thom Carpenter represented AR this year and traveled with a team of judges to several project sites.  At each site the judges tour the project and interview the building owners or a representative to discuss the project’s process, challenges, and contractor performance.  After the judging is complete and scores are tabulated, the WMABC gathers for a fun night to present awards to the winners.  The winners in each category can progress to the national EIC awards to be presented at the annual ABC national convention. 

Abbey 42 Apartments Grand Opening

On July 16th, Jason and Spencer with AR Engineering attended the celebration event for the grand opening of Abbey 42 Apartments. Abbey 42 is an 11 building, 344 unit apartment development with a community center and resort style pool area. The development is located in Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo County. AR Engineering enjoyed working on this project from design, through construction, and seeing the community gather for the final grand opening event.  

Cheers to Whitney Pizzala, now P.E. Licensed! 🍕🎉

AR Engineering values dedication and professional growth! Today, the team celebrated Project Manager Whitney Pizzala, who has earned her P.E. license.  This accomplishment is a reflection of her determination and expertise. AR Engineering is thrilled to have her and the team celebrated this exciting achievement with a pizza lunch! 🍕😋 #ProfessionalDevelopment #EngineeringLeaders #AREngineering #PELicense