Al Samborn (right) and Jack Steketee (left), SSOE Founders
In 1948, structural engineer Al Samborn returned to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio after completing his military service to start his own engineering firm. Al desired to establish an organization that provided the highest value through what is still the firm’s core strength—excellent project delivery.
A year later, the firm expanded as Al was joined by fellow engineer Jack Steketee. The firm also added large clients such as Ford Motor Company and Libbey-Owens-Ford to its roster. Nearly a decade later, the company grew to a full-service A/E practice when architects Burrie Otis and John Evans came on board to form Samborn, Steketee, Otis, and Evans, later shortened to SSOE.
SSOE’s partners made strategic decisions that shaped the character of the firm. As early as the 1960s, the company gained recognition as a leader in technology. It was the first A/E firm in the Midwest to use in-house computers as part of its design process. Today, SSOE continues to put technology to use for its clients. The firm employs an in-house technology research and development team and is industry leaders in pushing the envelope in the integration of advanced technologies into the design and construction process.
In the decades that followed, SSOE diversified and continued to grow geographically. It added more services in response to the needs of its industrial base and broadened its markets to include healthcare, chemical, alternative energy, and others. In 2005, the firm opened its first international office in Shanghai, China, where it began offering full EPCM project delivery. This has since grown into SSOE’s second largest office. Today, SSOE has offices around the world and has completed projects in more than 30 countries.
In 2008, SSOE added construction management to its U.S. services, and began offering clients full program management, from site selection through design, construction, and start-up. The company has built a team of seasoned construction managers and project controls specialists.
Consistent through the years has been SSOE’s commitment to employees. The firm has been recognized as a “Best Firm to Work For” (BD&C), a Crain’s “Cool Place to Work”, a “Parent Friendly Workplace” (United Way), and a “Healthiest Employer” (Nashville Chamber of Commerce).
SSOE remains a nimble company that embraces change and builds on its strengths in order to create new opportunities. Its ability to transform itself throughout its history is evidenced by the firm’s consistent growth. Through the years, the SSOE Experience has remained consistent as one centered on our Value Promise and our Great Client Service resulting in the trusted relationships that have allowed SSOE and our clients to make history together.
