Engineering Minnesota explores the new MFRA with Cover Story

In his memorable 1940 novel, North Carolina native Thomas Wolfe confronted readers with the provocative notion that “You Can’t Go Home Again.”   In his work, published after he wrote the equally well received, “Look Homeward Angel,” Wolfe claimed nothing remains the same. He maintained everyone and everything changes while attempts to regain past glory are futile.

Sirish Samba, P.E. and Erik Miller, P.E. are optimistic civil engineers willing to test the validity of the novelist’s contention – 70 years later.   Both head the Plymouth-based engineering consulting firm, MFRA.  Their goal is to return their firm to the more glorious days it experienced in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.  The duo believes that while formidable, their efforts will refute Wolfe’s mid-century advisory.

Skip McCombs, P.E. and Dickman Knutson, P.E. founded the firm as McCombs-Knutson in 1966 to provide civil engineering and surveying services.  That partnership expanded in subsequent years to include partners Greg Frank, P.E. and Jeff Roos, P.E. Eventually the firm name became McCombs Frank Roos & Associates, (MFRA).

That combination of leaders worked very well as the firm expanded to over 70 employees who flourished in the comfortable and productive family-style business atmosphere the partners promoted. But shortly into the new century, Greg Frank was ready to retire.    He played a major role in the firm’s success and his efforts helped the firm acquire Wal-Mart, Inc. as a major client.

Efforts to establish new ownership proved complicated and eventually, the firm was purchased by and investment group.

Unfortunately, the buyer had little understanding of the engineering business which impacted the culture of the firm. The purchase of engineering firms by investment groups seldom works well for both parties. The MFRA experience was not unique.

Eventually, MFRA ownership transferred into the hands of a private equity group in 2005.  That arrangement worked somewhat better.  But like almost all engineering related businesses in recent years, the firm was sideswiped by an ailing economy.

In July of 2008, the company named Samba as President and CEO to succeed the retiring Roos. Concerned MFRA engineers such as Samba and Miller quickly realized that the only engineering firm either had worked for was facing serious challenges. They both agreed that immediate change was needed as employee morale had diminished and the financial future was quickly souring. Their solution was to point MFRA in a new direction that would enable the firm to become more effective and efficient while maintaining a good relationship with clients.

“We felt our survival was dependent on our ability to return to those things that had made our firm successful.” Samba a said. So, in a bold move, the principal employees of MFRA purchased the firm and transferred ownership from the private equity group to employees.

A native of India, Samba attended Nagarjuna University and obtained a civil engineering degree in 1992. He grew up in relatively modest surroundings. His father worked for the railroad while his mother’s family was involved in farming.

A fellow with a significant degree of entrepreneurial ambition, Samba soon realized his best opportunities for success were in the United States rather than his native country. Following college graduation he was accepted in the graduated program at South Dakota State University where he obtained a Master’s degree in civil engineering. The South Dakota location was a bit jarring for
Samba. “I always thought all of the United States was like New York City of Los Angeles,” he said with a chuckle.  “Brookings,  South Dakota is not.” Samba joined MFRA in 1994 following his graduation.

A Twin Cities native, Miller graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in civil engineering and worked for Scott County on year before joining MFRA in 1997. His link to entrepreneurial aspect of business came from his father who founded Superior Consulting Services, a Burnsville information technology company.

In June of 2009, under Samba’s leadership the company ownership was once again restored to working professionals. “The decision to purchase the firm provided numerous financial challenges for us,” Samba said, “But it was the right thing to do. We felt it was very important that a professional practice be owned by professionals. We wanted to change the firm’s culture to what is best for our employees and clients.  We think our new approach works well for everyone. It is a great honor to continue the heritage and legacy
that is MFRA. My decision to take responsibility for MFRA and all the families here, was not an easy one,” Samba continued. “I
know MFRA is a great company. The important thing about great companies is that they don’t just ride out the storm, they rise above it.”

Interestingly, that new, optimistic approach may be aided by Samba’s unique background. Because of his heritage as a native
of India, the firm now is able to qualify as a minority-owned business. That category is an important consideration for firms and companies working with contracts that require having a percentage of minority-owned businesses working on a project.

In addition to that aspect, MFRA is adjusting its capabilities to meet the needs of the ever-changing marketplace, MFRA recently changes its logo and promotes itself as a planning, engineering, surveying and landscape architectural firm that provides services in the private, residential, commercial, government, and energy sectors.

A key planning aspect of the future includes having staff members capable of meeting client requirements in new areas as well.
For example, the firm is promoting its services as a partner with regional and national consulting firm to work on projects for government agencies such as the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as well as others in the  public and energy sectors.

“We are very excited about the potential in those areas,” Miller said. “We figure the wider our platform, the more successful we will be. We believe we are headed in the right direction and we are looking to the future with a great deal of optimism. We are on our way to recapturing the family-style business approach and atmosphere that made MFRA one of the best firms in Minnesota.”

Written and Published by Jim Meusey

Engineering Minnesota – March 2010