GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - December 11, 2002 - Robert E. Bruggink, P.E., has been named President of Moore & Bruggink, Inc., the engineering firm his father co-founded with Millard Moore in 1956. 
Gary C. Voogt, P.E., President since 1994, moves into the new position of Chief Executive Officer

"This is the first time a Bruggink has been at the helm since Ray Bruggink retired in 1990," said Voogt, who has been with the company since 1976. "Our team with the senior Bruggink can be credited with much of the expansion of the municipal water and sewer systems in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area during the population explosion that occurred in West Michigan during the 1960's and 1970's."

According to the younger Bruggink, "many of those infrastructure systems my father worked on are once again in need of expansion or integration into larger systems. Roads, too, will continue to be major challenges for the second largest metropolitan area in the state."

Voogt and Bruggink have worked together building the firm's municipal engineering arm. The management team also includes Senior Partner William G. Kozak, P.E., who continues his responsibilities as Corporate Secretary/Treasurer. Kozak heads up the private development division and in his 24 years with Moore & Bruggink has been responsible for residential, commercial, and industrial developments, including the Union Station and American Seating projects in Grand Rapids, and many industrial parks and commercial centers.

Bruggink's initiatives can be seen in such projects as the 44th Street/Rivertown Parkway re-route and expansion, consulting work as Grand Rapids Township and Algoma Township engineer, supervision of construction inspection on the M-6 South Beltline project, and the new East Beltline Pedestrian Bridge at Calvin College.

"Fifteen years ago, firm ownership was extended to some of the firm's more capable engineers to guarantee our clients would be assured the continuity of leadership and breadth and depth of experience to provide for their needs," said Voogt. "This leadership change is part of the Moore & Bruggink business blueprint, guaranteeing we're positioned to meet the needs of the market and our clients. Bob continues as one of our leading project managers, but will expand his role working with our engineering team." Other engineers making up the Board of Directors include Steven C. Groenenboom, P.E., John E. Racek, P.E., Steven W. Kinder, P.E., and Joseph D. Camp, P.E. Associate stockholders are Alan Pennington, P.E. and Douglas J. Tobin, P.S.

"My immediate plans are to keep service at the forefront of all we do; ensuring our systems have the appropriate quality checks and our people have the resources they need in both our municipal and private development divisions," said Bruggink.

"Our approach and experience allow us to provide consulting support beyond basic engineering," said Bruggink. "Our company and our employees' roots are grounded right here in West Michigan. This allows us to provide insights and a level of responsiveness that is critical for city and other municipality staff to do their jobs well." Moore & Bruggink's contributions over the past 46 years have proven invaluable in negotiating joint agreements among municipalities, townships, counties, school districts, utilities, and developers.

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