For More Information Contact:
Howard R. Green Company
Ed Barrett, Marketing Director: 319.841.4395
P.O. Box 9009, Cedar Rapids, IA 52409-9009
ebarrett@hrgreen.com

HR Green Announces Acquisition of Chicagoland-based SEC Group, Inc.

Cedar Rapids, IA (July 27, 2009) – Howard R. Green Company (HR Green), a multi-discipline professional services firm, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of SEC Group, Inc., an Illinois-based engineering and planning firm. The Illinois operations of the combined firm will be known as SEC Group, Inc. / An HR Green Company; and the management of SEC Group will assume significant leadership roles in the combined organization.

“SEC Group, Inc. represents the next step in our strategy to broaden exposure in metropolitan markets such as Chicago and surrounding communities, and provides a platform for additional growth beyond current engineering and planning projects,” said Mike Daniel, Green Companies, Inc. Chairman and CEO.

“This combination also greatly strengthens core services to our governmental clients as well as doubles our transportation capabilities,” says Rick White, President of HR Green. “Most importantly we have similar cultures and shared values, with a primary focus on our clients’ needs.”

The combination creates a firm of nearly 400 skilled professionals with the experience and knowledge to address diverse client needs in both public and private sectors. HR Green brings significant expertise in a wider range of water/wastewater expertise; environmental, storm water and solid waste engineering; architectural and building systems; and software automation for municipalities. SEC Group has offices in Chicago, McHenry, Yorkville and New Lenox, IL, and serves a strong, existing client base in the Chicago-land regional area.

“We’re extremely excited by the opportunity to join our experience in this market with the added capabilities of HR Green,” said John Smith, the founder and CEO of the 120-employee SEC Group organization. “The expanded capabilities in water/wastewater, environmental and buildings bring important capabilities to SEC’s clients. The combination of two extremely deep transportation groups will provide us with great depth to help clients across our footprint meet their expanding transportation needs.

“Perhaps most important is the great culture match of our two firms,” Smith continued. “I know the leadership of the combined firm will remain absolutely focused on meeting client needs. This was – and I know will be – the primary focus for the leadership of firms as we come together.”

 “This is a significant opportunity for Green Companies Inc., as well as the clients of SEC Group,” said Daniel “Our ability to provide integrated services across engineering, construction and technology platforms will create great opportunities to maximize the benefit we bring to all of our clients. SEC’s staff and expertise are great fits with our plan to continue to expand these capabilities."

About

SEC Group, Inc. is a diversified consulting engineering, planning and surveying firm, and was founded in 1981. The firm offers comprehensive services in the areas of municipal engineering, transportation, structural and construction engineering, water resources and water/wastewater engineering, land development, surveying and land planning/landscape architecture.

Howard R. Green Company is a multi-discipline professional services firm providing planning, technical consulting, architectural, engineering, environmental and funding services to clients in diverse market sectors for over 95 years. For more information, visit www.hrgreen.com.

Green Companies, Inc. is an employee-owned holding company and is parent to Howard R. Green Company, Green Construction, LLC, Windsor Manor Assisted Living Communities, and software provider GovPartner.com.