Our History

Anderson Wahlen and Associates, Inc. was legally incorporated in 1996 and has done business under the name of Great Basin Engineering South since that time. Anderson Wahlen and Associates’ parent company Great Basin Engineering was formed in Ogden, Utah in 1958 and has practiced civil engineering and land surveying for over 50 years.

Jay Anderson was the founder of Great Basin Engineering and worked as a professional civil engineer and land surveyor. He built the firm primarily based on designing residential, commercial and industrial projects. The firm expanded over the years until it reached 18 employees in 1996. The firm was involved with the expansion of a grocery chain throughout the western United States and Jay Anderson was the key consultant heading up this store expansion and was responsible for all new stores’ due diligence, government entitlements and civil project design.

Jay’s health took a turn for the worse and after two open heart surgeries and working on a third, his doctor convinced him to limit his heavy traveling. Jay hired his son-in-law, Bret Wahlen in 1994 who was working as a City Manager/City Engineer to help with his major clients and the traveling. Bret relieved Jay of his major client responsibilities and traveling while Jay continued to manage the day to day operations of Great Basin Engineering.

In 1996 Jay made the decision to open a new office in Salt Lake City and formed a new corporation named Anderson Wahlen and Associates, Inc.   The new corporation has done business under the name Great Basin Engineering South since that time.

Bret and five key employees including Jay’s son, David Anderson were designated to start up this new office. From its inception the day to day management was handled by Bret and David. Jay’s role was limited primarily to overseeing the company financials.

Bret and David expanded the firm from five employees up to a high of twenty seven employees in 2008. They have developed a consulting niche working with developers and corporations of all sizes. They work in 13 western states and have developed a full service approach with emphasis on government approvals and entitlements.

Bret and David obtained Jay’s majority interest in Great Basin Engineering South in 2008. In late 2012 a decision was made to pursue a new name and logo to further distinguish Anderson Wahlen and Associates from Great Basin Engineering which still operates in Ogden. In October of 2013 Anderson Wahlen and Associates Inc. (AWA) unveiled a new website and introduced a new logo and image. With the exception of the change to the company logo all areas of management and operations remain the same. They still provide the same great service that has existed since 1958.