News Summary
Nashville’s Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. has acquired St. Petersburg’s George F. Young, Inc., increasing its service reach. Established in 1919, George F. Young is respected for its engineering services. The acquisition emphasizes shared cultural values and a commitment to employee ownership, with plans for staff expansion. Despite the acquisition, George F. Young will retain its headquarters, ensuring continuity in management. The merger aims to combine expertise to enhance service offerings and foster growth in the engineering sector.
Nashville – Nashville-based Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. has acquired St. Petersburg’s George F. Young, Inc., effective October 1. The financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed. George F. Young is a renowned firm established in 1919, recognized as one of St. Petersburg’s oldest businesses, providing engineering, surveying, and consulting services.
The acquisition allows Smith Seckman Reid to expand its geographical footprint, as they currently operate in various states, including Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois. George F. Young has been involved in several notable projects, including the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, Tropicana Field, the St. Pete Pier, and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, showcasing its long-standing presence in the region.
Bill Kent, the president of George F. Young, has highlighted the cultural alignment and shared values between the two companies. Both firms are committed to being generational businesses and believe that this acquisition is a strategic opportunity for growth. George F. Young plans to hire additional staff to better serve its expanding client base post-acquisition.
Significantly, both companies operate as employee-owned firms. This employee ownership structure is viewed as essential to providing high-quality customer service, as it ensures that staff members are valued and well taken care of. Following the acquisition, employees of George F. Young will have the chance to participate in Smith Seckman Reid’s employee stock ownership plan.
Despite the acquisition, the company will maintain its headquarters in St. Petersburg. Management and project teams will remain intact, ensuring continuity and stability. George F. Young is scheduled to relocate its main office from 299 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N. to a new site at 830 Central Avenue by the end of the year. In addition to its St. Petersburg location, the company operates six other offices in Florida and an additional office in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bill Kent will continue to lead as president of George F. Young after the acquisition. Susan Osterberg, CEO and president of Smith Seckman Reid, emphasizes that the partnership represents not just an acquisition but a merger of cultures focused on integrity, collaboration, and creating a positive impact in the communities they serve.
This acquisition reinforces Smith Seckman Reid’s vision to grow with purpose, fostering meaningful opportunities for employee-owners while continuing to serve their clients effectively. Both companies expect to leverage their combined expertise to enhance service offerings and expand their influence in the engineering and consulting sectors.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: George F. Young Acquired
- Wikipedia: George F. Young, Inc.
- Wild 941: 325-Unit Housing Development
- Google Search: St Petersburg engineering firms
- Anna Maria Island Sun: City Pier Engineering Services
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Engineering
- St. Peterising: Frontier Building Transformation
- Google News: Engineering Acquisition News
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
