J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) announces the promotion of Christopher Rousseau, P.E., F. ASCE to Hydro and Renewable Energy Market Leader. Rousseau’s promotion is announced concurrently with Brennan’s strategic objective to further invest in renewable energy development.

Rousseau will use decades of experience in hydroelectric generation working for Midwest-based utility, Minnesota Power, to support the repair and rehabilitation needs of Brennan’s hydro dam clients. Catering to a huge need for early contractor involvement; Rousseau is bridging the gap between hydroelectric dam owners, engineers, and the contractor teams that perform inspections, maintenance, and rehabilitation work.

February 6, 2023 — Specialty marine contractor J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) recently finalized the asset acquisition of the dredging and dewatering division of Infrastructure Alternatives, Inc. (IAI). The purchase brings dewatering, water treatment, and treatability testing services into the organization for the first time.

Our Pacific Northwest crew mobilized at a hydroelectric facility to repair a fish guidance net at Upper Baker Dam. Upper Baker Dam is 1 of 2 hydroelectric dams on Baker River, near Concrete, WA. The entire Baker River Hydroelectric Project covers nearly 300 square miles.

Upper Baker Dam, a 312-foot-high concrete gravity dam completed in 1959, has a floating surface collector system responsible for attracting and safely holding juvenile salmon for downstream transport around the dam. We supplied dive and topside support teams to assist the prime contractor with the recovery, disassembly, and installation of a new floatation collar on the existing barrier net. This is an essential repair to ensure safe fish passage around the dam.

Brennan, working under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Chicago District, executed environmental dredging, sampling, capping, and habitat restoration to remediate an Area of Concern near East Chicago, IN. While complex, the objectives were clear: remediate sediment, mitigate oil sheen, and improve the ecological habitat. Successes and lessons learned during this project will influence operations and remediation efforts for the rest of Lake George Canal. 

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) and J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) formally announce their partnership. The agreement between Brennan and UWL will further the educational opportunities for students studying environmental science, equipping them to start on the job right after they graduate.

Brennan is partnering with UWL to support student research and curriculum, and to strengthen the talent pipeline, both locally and within the environmental services industry.

La Crosse, WI — Great Place to Work® and Fortune have honored J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) as one of the Best Workplaces in Construction™. This is Brennan’s first time being named to this prestigious list, coming in at 14^th place among small and mid-size companies. Earning a spot means that Brennan is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

The Best Workplaces in Construction award is based on the analysis of survey responses from over 25,000 employees from Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies in the construction industry. In that survey, 88% of Brennan’s employees said the company is a great place to work. This number is 31 points higher than the average U.S. company.

Originally announced by the Western Dredging Association (WEDA).

In recognition of his extensive and outstanding contributions to the dredging community and to the Western Dredging Association, Andrew A. Timmis has been named the 2022 Dredger of the Year at the WEDA Summit & Expo held in Houston, Texas. 

Working for many years on the frontlines of environmental dredging, when Mr. Timmis joined WEDA in 2004, he became a member of its Environmental Commission. He helped develop policy for the group and pointed out the need to provide a program for regulators to learn about environmental issues.

Brennan worked in collaboration with The Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse (Boys & Girls Club), the Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse, Wieser Brothers General Contractor (Wieser), and Mathy Construction (Mathy) to organize an annual field trip for local female members. The event offered young women an opportunity to experience working at Brennan and to ask questions about working in the trades. It was a memorable day for all! Watch the video recap below: 

LA CROSSE, Wis., June 14, 2022 ― Engineering News-Record (ENR) published its annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based general contractors, with specialty contractor J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) making the list with an overall ranking of 351. Brennan is listed as the 5th largest contractor in the hazardous waste sector.

The demand for Brennan’s environmental remediation services has increased year over year on a national scale. Landing at the 5th spot among all hazardous waste contractors, Brennan is in an echelon of its own, as all its projects take place on, under, or alongside bodies of water.

LA CROSSE, Wis., May 3, 2022 ― Specialty construction firm J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) formally announces its acquisition of California-based Harbor Offshore, Inc (HOI). HOI specializes in commercial diving, marine construction, maritime security barriers, and submarine cable installation.

Not only does the acquisition bring submarine cabling and maritime security barrier expertise to Brennan; it expands Brennan's operations geographically. With the addition of licensing along the West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska, Brennan is now operable in all 50 states.