Suburban engineering firm builds success with assistance from drones and Illinois Tollway diversity programs
Stephanie Wong decided to launch her own engineering firm in 2021 partly because she wanted to build a business “from the ground up” and partly to capitalize on a new concept of using drones to help inspect and manage construction projects.
“I really wanted to bring drone technology and innovation to challenge current methods of how things are done in the infrastructure industry,” said Wong, who previously worked as an engineer in the aviation industry and started flying drones as a hobby while in college. “I wanted to show how a small firm could really make a difference.”
Since Wong and a business partner started SWE Solutions, the Naperville-based firm has grown to include 10 engineers and is working on a variety of construction projects for several different agencies, including the Illinois Tollway.
She credits much of her firm’s growth to Illinois Tollway programs that help small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses get started by guiding them through the procedures required to work on Tollway projects and by partnering them with more established businesses to help them develop the skills they need to operate successfully.
“It’s really hard to compete as a smaller firm, especially with larger more established firms in the industry,” said Wong, who serves as president of the business. “I think the Tollway has given us a lot of opportunity, the tools and resources to really develop and grow as a business.”
SWE Solutions currently is working on five Tollway contracts, including one in which the firm serves as a prime contractor, providing management and inspection services for landscaping work being done across the Tollway’s 294-mile system.
Wong is enthusiastic about the assistance she received from the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program, which typically pairs small and diverse firms like hers with larger, mentoring firms that have more experience working with the Tollway and following its rigorous bid and construction protocols.
Her firm’s first contracts with the Tollway came in 2022 as a subconsultant working with two different firms that were managing Tollway construction projects on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).
“Through the Partnering for Growth program we were given the opportunity to hire our first ever employees and demonstrate our skills,” Wong said. “Because of that experience, we were able to grow our team and really be able to submit as a prime consultant on projects and win.”
Working on those initial contracts helped her firm refine its skills inspecting and managing roadway construction projects, while also allowing her business to showcase its ability to use drones to carry out some of its assignments.
“We started off specializing in drone technology and innovation and we wanted to use it for construction management services,” Wong said. “I think the Tollway has seen some of our skills and what we’re able to provide to the agency.”
Her firms is using camera-equipped drones to fly over sections of the Tollway where work is being performed, giving engineers a birds-eye view of how construction is proceeding and determine whether it meets Tollway specifications. The drones allow engineers to zoom in to precisely measure whether roadway components like barrier walls are properly aligned—a task that otherwise would have to be performed on foot with a tape measure and GPS device.
“Not only is it safer, more efficient, it’s also a lot more accurate,” she said, adding that because drone technology is catching on at other transportation agencies, her experience at the Tollway could give her a leg up in landing future work involving drones.
Her firm currently is serving as prime consultant on a $2 million Tollway contract, managing landscaping work as required across the agency’s 294-mile system. That work is being done in a unique, reverse Partnering for Growth arrangement pioneered by the Tollway that has her business serving as a prime consultant, while a larger firm acts as a mentor and subconsultant.
Wong is thrilled with that program since it allows her firm to oversee the project while still providing a subconsultant who can step in to offer assistance if it is needed.
“It gives us a chance to really lead the day-to-day activities, but they’re always there to help you and guide you through the process,” she said.
Looking ahead, she sees a bright future for her firm, which includes continuing to work with the Tollway whenever possible—and possibly expanding its role in the Partnering for Growth Program.
“I would like to grow and build our team—and ultimately be a mentor to smaller firms that are just starting out,” Wong said.