Donohue's founding principals (Edward Nevers, David Speth, and Larry Teunissen) envisioned an employee-owned company focused on providing clients with exceptional water and wastewater engineering services within a flat organizational structure. Joining them were a group of highly experienced, highly qualified engineers and specialists. Their dream was realized February 3, 1997, in a small downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin office. Through the hard work and determination of our employees both then and today, we have been able to grow exponentially and expand our services while still maintaining a client-centered vision.

Donohue's expertise has also been bolstered by the years of experience of the companies we have acquired over the years.

Chicago firm Alvord, Burdick & Howson, L.L.C. (AB&H), acquired in 2006, brings a 100-year heritage in water and wastewater engineering. Founded in 1902 by John W. Alvord and Charles B. Burdick, AB&H has a rich heritage of landmark projects. Alvord was the Chief Engineer of the Department of Surveys and Grades for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a landmark event in American history and culture. Burdick designed the hydraulic and lighting display for Chicago's original Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. In 1908, Louis R. Howson joined the firm. 

AB&H has been involved with leading water technologies since its inception. In 1917, AB&H wrote a report on the use of ozone in the treatment of drinking water. In the 1940s, they were pioneers in the design of split level settling basins, the technology on which plate settlers were developed. AB&H has been involved in the design of most of the water plants along the west shore of Lake Michigan, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Gary, Indiana, including Chicago's Jardine Water Purification Plant, which was the world's largest water filtration facility when it opened in 1964. AB&H was tapped in the 1980s for a $380 million project to supply Lake Michigan water to 23 communities in DuPage County.

Similarly, Ken Herceg & Associates, Inc. of South Bend, Indiana was acquired in 2013 as part of Donohue's strategic plan to expand our services and increase the firm's presence in northwest Indiana. Our South Bend office's focus on water, wastewater, and wet weather engineering complement our offerings within the setting of Indiana.