About Us: History
Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A) is a full-service engineering consulting firm founded by Louis Bowman and John Barrett in December 1989.
The story actually begins more than 55 years ago when Mr. Bowman and Mr. Barrett were paired up as lab partners at the University of Illinois because of how their last names fell in the alphabet. The two formed a friendship that lasted over the years as they worked together at a large Chicago firm as president and vice president, shaping the infrastructure of the City of Chicago.
Their accomplishments at the time included the 83-acre Illinois Center development, planning studies for the North-South Tollway, the reconfiguration of the Lake Shore Drive "S" curve and O'Hare International Airport curbfront, taxiway and runway improvements.
In 1989, they decided to venture off on their own to start a more hands-on and client-focused company. With fewer than 10 employees in 1989, the firm has sought out engineering challenges. One of the firm's earliest projects was to provide engineering services for Central Station, a 72-acre mixed-use development in the near south Loop along the lakefront.
The company has grown steadily since its inception, providing professional services to the transportation industry, architects and builders. Today, the company employs a staff of over 75 professionals with exceptional credentials covering virtually all aspects of planning, design and construction management.
For each assignment, we select a team with the right mix of experience, knowledge, and creativity to assess the options and deliver cost-effective results. The firm has had the opportunity to work on complex and challenging engineering projects all over the country.