AUSTIN, Texas, and ATLANTA, Georgia, June 24, 2025 — SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, has added Kevin Burks, PE, and Chase Crouse, PE, to civil engineering leadership roles in its Austin and Atlanta offices, respectively. This marks a significant step in the firm’s strategic expansion of its Civil Practice Group across two of the South’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets.
With decades of combined experience in land development and energy infrastructure, Burks and Crouse bring deep technical expertise and local market insight to SSOE’s growing civil team. Their leadership is expected to enhance the firm’s well-established ability to deliver comprehensive site due diligence, including technical site evaluation, and civil engineering services from project inception—focused on supporting clients in battery, solar, and industrial development.
Both Burks and Crouse report to Zac Smith, PE, SSOE’s Civil Practice Group Lead, who’s been with the firm since 2020. Smith noted:
“This expansion reflects our commitment to being a premier provider in civil engineering and engaging with clients and partners from the very outset of a project concept, as early as they will have us. We know the value we bring can significantly impact both project success and the bottom line. Burks and Crouse are not only respected, seasoned engineers, they are trusted advisors in their regions. Their presence strengthens our ability to support clients navigating complex site selection, permitting, and infrastructure challenges.”
Built for Texas with Experience to Back
Kevin Burks is operating from SSOE’s Austin, Texas, office—established in 2022 but supported by nearly 40 years of project experience. He draws on a decade of project management experience, specializing in commercial development, and brings extensive experience in civil site design, permitting, and infrastructure planning for large-scale industrial and energy projects.
Texas-born and raised, Burks graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2014 and has held his Professional Engineering license in “The Great State” since 2019. He’s known for his client-focused approach and deep understanding of the Texas development landscape. As the civil engineering lead on projects, he’s dedicated to supporting various disciplines and ensuring designs are meticulously planned, code compliant, and easily constructable.
Burks is currently supporting a greenfield solar cell manufacturing facility project for the firm, as well as leading several initiatives for Toyota at its San Antonio campus. In addition to engineering, he is also experienced in encompassing engineering design, master planning, and early site development services, including mass grading and stormwater management planning.
Deeply Rooted in Georgia
Based in Atlanta where SSOE has two locations, Chase Crouse has a strong background in cultivating client relationships in the Southeast U.S. market. His expertise in aiding site development and civil engineering ranges across a diverse network of developers, contractors, and owners. With over eight years of experience, Crouse is both a strong communicator and problem-solver, adept at coordinating resources and managing project timelines.
Crouse, a Georgia native and 2018 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, holds a Professional Engineering license in the state where he is firmly established and connected. He is currently supporting a Toyota project and a stormwater conveyance project for a confidential client, with several strategic endeavors in the pipeline. He’s also actively involved in regional project development and collaboration with economic development stakeholders.
Horizontal Alignment for a Changing Landscape
With a horizontal organizational structure enabling the integration of business unit oversight with practice group innovation and best practices, SSOE’s Civil Practice Group is one of 10 practice groups the firm has launched since 2022.
Smith added:
“The launch of a standalone Civil Practice Group earlier this year reinforces SSOE’s long-term investment in civil engineering as a growth driver. When you combine Burks and Crouse’s expertise with SSOE’s proven strengths in navigating incentives, Foreign Direct Investment, and onshoring and nearshoring strategies, the result is a compelling value proposition. It’s one that resonates not only with our traditional clients and partners, but some peripheral clients, such as site selectors and developers to land use attorneys and local agencies. We’re excited to see how their leadership will help shape the future of our civil practice.”
