Nathan Whetten, P.E., D.GE., C.G. joined the up-and-coming Hartford-based civil engineering firm Freeman Cos., LLC to lead their newly established geotechnical division. Whetten brings to the firm over 28 years of experience working on large design and construction projects throughout the country. Prior to joining Freeman Companies in June, Whetten held the position of senior associate at GEI Consultants, a worldwide science and engineering firm.
Whetten has been the senior geotechnical engineer and project manager on several dozen large scale civil and commercial construction projects since the 1980s. He is considered a leading authority by his peers and has published over 15 professionally acclaimed articles, white papers and case studies for multiple science and engineering trade publications. He has been awarded numerous accolades for his work, including the Harl Aldrich Excellence Award.

Founding president and CEO, Rohan Freeman, P.E., L.S., is excited about the opportunities Nate's expertise presents. "Nate brings a wealth of experience to Freeman Companies, which will allow us to serve our current and prospective clients in a more comprehensive, integrated manner. We are excited to have Nate on board, and he has hit the ground running," said Freeman.
A fascination with the science and a love of practicing geotechnical engineering distinguish Whetten among his peers in this weighty scientific/technological field. He thrives on the seriousness and challenges of the business. "Geotechnical engineering involves gathering underground soil, rock and groundwater data; using engineering tools to interpret conditions that you can't always observe directly; and designing structures that are compatible with those conditions. Completing construction of the underground portions of a project and bringing it out of the ground is an important milestone on any civil project," said Whetten.
His successful track record of secure, long standing structures including rock slopes, highway and bridge projects, parking structures, dams, large buildings, water/wastewater treatment facilities and utility pipelines is testament to the exceptional value that he brings to Freeman Companies and their clients.

Whetten holds degrees from Cornell University including B.A. in Geology, B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.E. in Geotechnical Engineering.
Whetten is among other recent strategic hires at the firm, including civil engineering manager Robert Burns, P.E., who started earlier this year in April. Freeman Cos., a minority-owned business, has experienced considerable growth and expansion since its inception in March 2009. "We have made a conscious decision to invest in the staff

Freeman Cos., is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) founded by engineer, entrepreneur and mountaineer Rohan Freeman, P.E., L.S. The firm provides civil engineering, land surveying, environmental sciences and geotechnical engineering services to clients in the public and private sectors. Freeman Companies has diverse experience in the retail, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, transportation, utilities, and residential sectors. Please visit www.freemancos.com for more information.