Widseth lasts 50 years by serving rural communities
News | Published on July 8, 2025 at 2:51pm EDT | Author: frazeevergas
0Widseth is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, marking a golden milestone since it was first created in 1975 by civil engineers Dick Widseth, Howard Smith, and Don Nolting in Crookston, Minn.
The original mission of Widseth Smith Nolting, now known simply as Widseth, was to meet the engineering needs of rural communities like Crookston. Since then, Widseth has evolved and become home to over 250 architects, engineers, land surveyors, environmental scientists, and more. The firm is a full-service company, with 18 specialties ranging from engineering and architecture to GIS and aerial mapping.
With 12 offices in Minnesota and North Dakota, Widseth makes an active effort to stay connected with the communities it serves.
“A driving force behind Widseth’s success is the effort we put into connecting with the communities. As a multidisciplinary firm, we recognize when a community has a need for a different form of service, and we are able to accommodate that,” said Brent Dammann, director of architecture and vice president.
Starting with the company in 1997, land surveyor Chris Jordheim, now a board member and firm treasurer, looks back on Widseth’s development. “Our growth has always been seamless and natural,” he says. “Comparing today and 28 years ago makes it look drastic, but Widseth isn’t a reactive, knee jerk company. We maintain our success through carefully thought-out decisions and evolution over time.”
Chris Satterlund, a technical designer who joined Widseth in 1994, said, “Widseth has stayed successful for so long because it’s made of good people who care and take ownership of their projects. They’re proud to be putting out good, honest work.”
The culture of the company has evolved with the changing times. The firm provides growth opportunities for its employees through career planning, relevant training programs, advancements in technology, and an atmosphere where both their professional and personal lives can thrive.
Moving forward, Widseth plans to maintain its steady, strategic growth to keep the company improving. “We take pride in being leaders in our communities and have developed many long-lasting relationships over the years,” Tim Ramerth, Widseth’s president and CEO, says. “We realize relationships are key.”