Vincent Yarina, Principal & Vice President, Langan

Langan Principal and Vice President Vincent Yarina talked with Invest: about the company’s key strategies for remaining competitive and successful in South Florida’s engineering and environmental services market, as well as how its future growth will be positively affected by evolving regulatory changes.

What milestones has Langan achieved over the last 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, Langan has achieved several notable milestones, marking a significant year in our history.  One of the most remarkable accomplishments is the substantial growth of our new West Palm Beach office. This period has been marked by transition, with some markets, such as the industrial sector, experiencing a slowdown. Conversely, other markets, particularly the government and municipal sectors, have seen a steady increase in activity. We currently have multiple ongoing municipal projects in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and various locations within Broward County.

Additionally, 2024 was a momentous year as we celebrated Langan’s 50th anniversary of business in Florida. This milestone underscores our long-standing commitment to excellence and innovation in the region.

In the past year, Langan has also expanded its service offerings, particularly in sustainable development and advanced environmental solutions, positioning us as a leader in these critical areas. Our team has successfully completed several high-profile projects, demonstrating our expertise and reinforcing our reputation for delivering exceptional results.

As we look to the future, we are optimistic about the potential for continued growth and success. With our strong foundation and adaptability, we are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and continue our growth trajectory.

Which of the industries that you work with are the main drivers of growth, and how do you expect this to evolve over the next few years?

We are focused on pursuing healthcare and life sciences, which are steadily expanding in South Florida. Utilities and renewable energy are also on the rise both locally and nationwide. Additionally, the recent federal regulations regarding PFAS have created a significant growth market for us, as managing and cleaning up this chemical will be crucial moving forward. PFAS regulations will be a primary driver for the environmental consulting industry. 

Another growth driver is the shortage of workforce and affordable housing in Broward County. We have been actively collaborating  with affordable housing developers to address this issue. Our efforts aim to balance the prioritization of environmental approvals with the efficient development of affordable housing.

In the coming years, we expect these industries to continue driving our growth. Our strategic focus on these sectors positions us well to capitalize on new opportunities and meet the evolving needs of our clients.

Which of Langan’s services do you expect to spur growth moving forward?

We expect several of Langan’s services to spur growth moving forward. Environmental compliance is a key area, as we assist corporations in adhering to environmental regulations and obtaining necessary permits. Additionally, our digital solutions practice, which offers clients software to manage environmental programs and data, represents a substantial source of growth These digital solutions include advanced data analytics, geographic information systems (GIS), and custom software development to streamline environmental management processes. This practice has shown remarkable progress and has become increasingly integral to our service offerings.

We also anticipate that our focus on environmental health and safety will contribute to continued growth over the next three to five years. By expanding these services, we position ourselves to meet the evolving needs of our clients and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the industry.

How does Langan differentiate itself from its competitors?

Langan differentiates itself from its competitors through its unwavering commitment to its employees,  who are our greatest asset. Our team members are incredibly passionate about their work, and our clients appreciate the responsiveness and dedication we provide. We pride ourselves on having highly technical and practical staff. It’s one thing to create a design on paper, but it’s entirely different to ensure that design can be effectively implemented and constructed. By having practical engineers involved in the design process, we facilitate easier implementation and construction, leading to cost-effective and practical solutions for our clients. 

From a technical perspective, Langan sets itself apart through its innovative approach to engineering and design. We leverage the latest technology and industry best practices to deliver cutting-edge solutions. Our multidisciplinary teams collaborate seamlessly to address complex challenges, ensuring that our projects are not only innovative but also highly functional and sustainable. This technical expertise is recognized through numerous industry awards and accolades, highlighting our commitment to excellence and our ability to deliver superior results.

To attract and retain top talent, Langan has implemented several specific programs and initiatives. We invest in professional development and training, offer mentorship programs, and provide competitive compensation and benefits. Our work-life balance initiatives, employee recognition programs, and collaborative and inclusive culture further enhance our appeal as an employer. Additionally, we offer clear career advancement opportunities and the chance to work on innovative projects using cutting-edge technology.

What is Langan’s role in bringing sustainable development to Greater Fort Lauderdale and the South Florida region?

We are implementing a measure called sustainable remediation. Multiple current projects involve contamination cleanup using innovative remedial methods instead of the traditional methods, which have a high carbon footprint. These new methods are carbon neutral, highly sustainable and cost-effective. This approach is unique in our area and makes sense for many of our projects. We will carefully evaluate each method to ensure it is appropriate for the specific scenario before deciding to implement it. Our commitment to sustainability and practical solutions drive our decision-making process. 

How is Langan leveraging technology to provide the best services to its clients?

Langan leverages technology to provide the best services to its clients in several innovative ways.  Our internal AI,  Langan GPT,  assists with problem-solving, enhancing our ability to deliver efficient and effective solutions. Our GIS practice uses state-of-the-art programs to create compelling visualizations for landscape architecture and planning purposes. These visualizations can depict future cityscapes, showing how old buildings can be removed, new buildings added, and streets realigned.

We also utilize a program called Siteops which allows us to develop and balance cut and fill for specific projects. By analyzing a piece of land, we can perform a modeling analysis to determine how much soil needs to be removed and where it should be placed. This process efficiently visualizes the results on a design document, ensuring precise and practical solutions for our clients.

What challenges does Langan face, and are they reflective of the industry as a whole?

Langan faces challenges with costs and salaries, which are reflective of the broader industry. The cost of employing individuals has risen over time, necessitating higher employee salaries. To accommodate these increased salaries, companies must raise their fees. However, intense competition makes it difficult to balance paying your employees what they deserve while remaining competitive in the market.

What are Langan’s top goals for the next two to three years?

We will continue to push for growth. Three years from now, I would love to have 150 employees in South Florida between our Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach offices, with 250-300 employees throughout Florida. We intend to take advantage of the growth market in Florida and expand within our services like digital solutions, environmental compliance and environmental health and safety. We would like to see significant growth within the services that are not yet as mature as the environmental, site/civil and geotechnical engineering practices.