Freese and Nichols has received a second Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the highest recognition in the United States for quality business practices and resilience. The Baldrige program is a public-private partnership through the U.S. Department of Commerce that honors organizations demonstrating national leadership in performance excellence.

Freese and Nichols received our initial Baldrige Award in 2010, becoming the first engineering/architecture firm with the recognition.

For nearly three decades, our firm has applied the Baldrige program’s integrated management framework and assessment tools to improve practices and measure results, strengthening our business to continue delivering exceptional client service. A crucial aspect of our Baldrige journey is the continuous improvement of processes, driven by valuable feedback from clients and staff. This collaborative approach enables Freese and Nichols to meet the highest standards of engineering and planning excellence.

Joining an elite group of 13 repeat winners underscores the success of our commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and long-term service to the communities where our 1,200 employees live and work.

Since the 2010 Baldrige win, our firm has expanded from our Texas roots to 12 states, addressing critical needs in water, wastewater, transportation, environmental services and community planning. Freese and Nichols’ sustained growth is a testament to our client-first philosophy and deep commitment to helping our communities thrive.

“Winning this award again reflects every employee’s hard work and dedication,” Freese and Nichols CEO Brian Coltharp said. “The rigorous Baldrige application process provided us with invaluable feedback that will help shape our future efforts and strengthen our role as sustainable partners for our colleagues and clients.