West Yost Word: Building a Better World, Together 

By Abigail Madrone, Business Development Director, Vice President

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We are proud to share that West Yost has been recognized with PSMJ’s 2025 AEC Building a Better World Award, honoring firms that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to making a positive impact through their work, their people, and their community engagement. 

This award means a great deal to us because it reflects what we’ve long believed: that being a leader in water resources is not just about the projects we deliver, but about the values we live every day. At West Yost, we see technical excellence and community care as inseparable. Whether we are engineering resilient infrastructure or volunteering in our neighborhoods, we strive to make a difference that lasts. 

We remain committed to doing what is right, supporting our communities, and advancing innovative water solutions that improve lives.

Over the past year, we have contributed more than 400 volunteer hours and $12,000 in wildfire relief, supporting communities that have faced devastating loss and rebuilding. These efforts are just one part of a broader commitment to sustainability, stewardship, and service that defines who we are as a firm. We actively look for ways to reduce waste, conserve energy, and rethink how we operate so that we are leaving a positive impact on both people and the planet. 

This recognition builds on a long history of giving back. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we launched a yearlong giving campaign that supported more than 40 charitable organizations across the West. Our team members directed donations and volunteer time toward food banks, STEM education programs, and environmental organizations that reflect our values and purpose of advancing water resources for future generations. 

Now, as we mark our 35th year, we are continuing that legacy in new and meaningful ways. Together, we have identified and supported community organizations that reflect the partnerships, friendships, and shared goals we’ve built over decades of collaboration. These gestures of gratitude honor the people and places that inspire us and represent the heart of who we are as a firm, one deeply rooted in service, sustainability, and connection. 

West Yost’s impact extends beyond charitable giving. Through our Volunteerism Policy, every team member has the opportunity to spend a paid day supporting a cause that is meaningful to them. Our Working Groups, including DE&I, Wellness, Culture, and Caregiver, help identify organizations and initiatives that matter to our staff, from promoting equity in STEM education to addressing local food insecurity. Through these collective efforts, we continue to deepen our connections, learn from one another, and strengthen our communities. 

At West Yost, we see technical excellence and community care as inseparable

Being recognized with the Building a Better World Award reinforces what we experience every day at West Yost: that purpose-driven work leads to lasting change. We are grateful for the dedication of our team members who give their time, compassion, and expertise to create a brighter and more sustainable future. 

As we celebrate this milestone year, we remain committed to doing what is right, supporting our communities, and advancing innovative water solutions that improve lives. Together, we are not just solving water challenges. We are building a better world, one project, one partnership, and one act of service at a time.