Jessica Baker Daily, President & CEO, Halff

In an interview with Invest: Jessica Baker Daily, president and CEO of infrastructure consultancy Halff, highlighted significant growth in North Texas, driven by high infrastructure demand and strategic public-private partnerships, including major projects like the Mill Creek/Peaks Branch Tunnel Project to alleviate Dallas flooding.

Over the past year, what have been some significant achievements for Halff in North Texas?

This past year has been incredibly exciting for our firm, and it mirrors the growth across our industry. The infrastructure sector is booming, especially in the South and Southeast, where demand keeps rising as more people move to these areas. It doesn’t seem to be slowing down, which is fantastic for us. With all these people moving in, there’s a greater need for infrastructure and utilities, which drives demand for our services.

In North Texas specifically, growth has been consistent and strong. We’ve been fortunate to partner with both public and private sector clients in the region, and that’s fueled substantial revenue growth. Our projects are centered on enhancing the communities where we live and work, which makes the work even more meaningful. Strong infrastructure is foundational for a community’s success, so we feel we’re making a real impact.

With rapid growth in the region, how does Halff support cohesive community development and ensure resilience in the face of future challenges?

We’re a full-service infrastructure consulting firm, which means we provide end-to-end support, from initial planning through design, construction, and project completion. This comprehensive approach allows us to offer cohesive solutions that meet our clients’ needs at every stage, ensuring we contribute to well-rounded, thriving communities.

Resilience is a critical focus as we plan projects, especially with the increasing frequency of severe weather events like those we’ve seen this year. By prioritizing long-term sustainability, we’re helping communities withstand these challenges and build infrastructure that lasts. With the recent boost in funding and attention on infrastructure, it’s an optimistic time. We’re not just constructing buildings or roads; we’re driving economic development and creating lasting opportunities, which is deeply rewarding work for us.

How is Halff integrating technology to create efficiencies and enhance service?

Technology is indeed revolutionizing our work, especially in boosting productivity. By automating routine tasks, our employees can focus on high-value contributions. There’s a lot of talk about AI replacing jobs, but I see it as a tool to address the talent shortage in our industry. With generative AI and other tech, we’re streamlining mundane tasks, allowing our engineers and designers to tackle complex challenges and provide valuable insights for clients. This helps us maintain our role as trusted advisers rather than getting bogged down in routine tasks.

What practices contributed to Halff’s recognition as 2023 Employer of the Year by Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) DFW, and how do these reflect your company’s culture?

At Halff, we’re people-focused, and that emphasis really shapes our culture. We work hard to define our culture — what we expect of each other, and how we hold each other accountable as we grow. This dedication to supporting our people is reflected in recognitions like the WTS award, which was particularly special as we strongly support women advancing in our industry. WTS is a fantastic organization promoting women in transportation, so we’re proud to be honored by them.

What are some of the major North Texas projects your team has worked on this year? 

We have a broad range of projects in North Texas. For example, we’re involved in mobility projects with the Texas Department of Transportation, working on highway improvements across the region. For local municipalities, we’re collaborating with the city of Dallas on the Mill Creek/Peaks Branch Tunnel Project, which is a stormwater drainage tunnel aimed at resolving long-standing flooding issues in East Dallas. It is under construction and we’re proud to contribute to a project that will improve residents’ quality of life. We’re also engaged in various development projects across Dallas, adding both industrial spaces and high-rise living options.

What trends are you seeing in infrastructure and construction that could shape the region over the next few years? 

A major trend in our industry right now is the wave of mergers and acquisitions. Bisnow noted over 400 acquisitions this year alone. Many firms are looking to bolster organic growth with acquisitions, especially to address talent shortages and support increasing infrastructure demand. However, we’re cautious about acquisitions, choosing only those that align with our culture and people-first approach. Earlier this year, we acquired a firm in Orlando, but we’re selective to ensure these additions reinforce our values.

Another ongoing trend is addressing workforce challenges. Retaining talent while managing growth is crucial. At Halff, we’ve focused on career development through a robust succession planning approach and active mentoring for rising stars. This helps our team see clear career paths within our firm, which we hope will enhance retention and sustain our ability to meet project demands across the region.

What partnerships or programs are in place to support career growth and develop future talent? 

We’re committed to attracting young talent to STEM fields. Over the past year, we’ve partnered with several K-12 organizations to introduce young people to engineering. Earlier this year, we hosted a group of middle-school students for experiential activities to explore careers in infrastructure. It was great to see students, many of whom had never heard of engineering, start to understand concepts like floodplain analysis and how roads impact community accessibility. Exposure is the first step to inspiring interest in these fields.

At the university level, we’ve enhanced our internship program to offer year-round experiences rather than just summer internships. This allows interns to gain a comprehensive view of working within a team, and it benefits us by having talented emerging engineers contribute throughout the year.

What are your top priorities over the next two years, and what are the firm’s expansion plans for North Texas? 

We’re excited about 2025, as we’ll be celebrating our 75th anniversary. Founded in 1950 as a one-man operation in Dallas, we’ve now grown to over 1,500 employees across the South and Southeast. We’ll not only be honoring our legacy but also expanding our presence in North Texas. We’re relocating and enlarging our Richardson office, and we’re also opening a new Dallas office. This expansion, along with our existing offices in Fort Worth and Frisco, will allow us to serve clients across the metroplex more effectively as the region continues to grow.

What is your outlook on the future of infrastructure in North Texas? 

The industry is in a strong place, but it’s also a critical time to ensure our people have the skills and training to keep up with rapid technological advancements reshaping how we work. We’re focused on providing career development opportunities and progression paths to retain our talent and support client needs.

Additionally, in this high-demand environment, we’re committed to excellence. It’s essential to deliver high-quality, resilient designs that support the long-term sustainability of North Texas. Resilience is vital, given the fast-paced changes and growth in the region.