Verdantas announced it has acquired American Engineering & Environmental Consultants (AEEC), a technology-focused environmental engineering and consulting firm, to strengthen its artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and data analytics capabilities. The deal expands Verdantas’ ability to deliver integrated engineering, environmental, and digital consulting services while increasing its presence across federal and commercial markets.
Founded more than 30 years ago and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, AEEC specializes in environmental engineering, remediation, compliance, long-term monitoring, digital transformation, automation, data analytics, and applied artificial intelligence. The company has also developed patented Smart Water Data Analytics technology that uses AI and machine learning to support infrastructure modernization. AEEC’s approach to innovation has even been featured in a Harvard Business School case study focused on digital transformation.
The acquisition aligns with Verdantas’ strategy of combining traditional engineering and environmental consulting with advanced digital technologies. By integrating AEEC’s expertise, Verdantas aims to help clients better manage infrastructure projects, improve regulatory compliance, automate workflows, analyze complex data, and make faster, more informed decisions through AI-enabled tools.
Verdantas expects the combined organization to deliver more connected and data-driven solutions for organizations facing increasingly complex environmental, infrastructure, and sustainability challenges. Clients will gain access to expanded capabilities spanning environmental engineering, consulting, custom digital solutions, automation, and advanced analytics through a unified platform.
Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas, said the engineering and environmental consulting industry is increasingly being shaped by data and technology alongside technical expertise. He noted that AEEC’s practical application of automation, AI, and advanced analytics will help clients improve decision-making, accelerate project delivery, and better manage critical assets.
Raj Patil, CEO of AEEC, said the company has long focused on solving complex business challenges by combining engineering, data, and technology. He added that joining Verdantas provides greater scale and allows AEEC’s digital solutions to reach a broader range of clients while remaining aligned with its long-term vision.
James Soldano, Managing Partner at Sterling Investment Partners, said AEEC’s ability to integrate digital technologies with engineering and environmental services complements Verdantas’ long-term growth strategy and further strengthens the company’s consulting platform.
The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG), through its registered broker-dealer affiliate EFCG Transaction Services LLC, served as financial advisor to Verdantas on the transaction.
KEY QUOTES:
“When we think about where our industry is going, it’s clear that engineering and environmental services are only part of the solution. Our clients and people need better ways to use data, make decisions, and manage projects. What stands out about AEEC is how they apply technology in a practical way. Their work is focused on helping clients make better decisions, move faster, and manage assets more effectively, whether that’s through smarter use of data, automation, or AI-enabled tools that improve how projects are delivered over time.”
Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas
“We’ve always approached our work by looking for better ways to solve complex business problems—bringing together engineering, data, and technology in a way to help our clients accomplish their mission. Joining Verdantas allows us to keep building on that foundation, with more scale and the ability to bring these solutions to a broader set of clients nationwide. This is a natural fit for our teams and for how we think about the future of the industry.”
Raj Patil, CEO of American Engineering & Environmental Consultants
“AEEC brings a differentiated set of capabilities to Verdantas, particularly in how they integrate digital solutions with engineering and environmental services. This aligns well with Verdantas’ strategy and strengthens the platform as it continues to grow.”
James Soldano, Managing Partner at Sterling Investment Partners
