Hutchison Engineering Hires Three

Hutchison Engineering Hires Three

by Lynn Colburn

Hutchison Engineering, Inc. (HEI), has deep roots in Jacksonville, which start in 1945 as Casler and Stapleton. As HEI evolved, its name changed over the years. 

There have been three generations of Hutchisons working for the firm. Gary Hutchison is currently the chairman of the board; his son Joe Hutchison is executive vice president and manager of structural unit. Joe Hutchison’s son, James Hutchison is part of the technical staff. It has consistently grown during the past 70 years, adding offices in Peoria, Shorewood and the Quad Cities. 

HEI has licensed professional engineers, structural engineers and professional land surveyors. In addition to the Illinois licensed professionals, it also has licensed professional engineers in Iowa, Missouri, Indiana and Michigan. The firm has completed projects for the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Illinois Capital Development Board, 37 of the 102 Illinois counties, 50 Illinois municipalities and countless other public agencies and private companies.

The impact of the 2020 worldwide-pandemic (COVID-19) has hit new college graduates hard. After finally obtaining their academic degrees, these graduates were looking forward to starting careers just when many businesses were shut down.

Fortunately, HEI, a company known for solving problems around the state, was able to continue doing what it does best during this time. During a time when more than 1,700 Illinois workers received notice they could be laid off in the coming weeks, according to filings with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, HEI was able to hire three new graduates to join its ranks.

These young men are now members of the Jacksonville area business community. Following are short introductions to each.

Jake Savage

Jake Savage’s hometown is Beardstown, where he continues to reside. He attended both Lincoln Land Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), where he earned his degree in civil engineering on May 9, 2020.

Savage is a project engineer in the structures department working on bridge and roadway design.

What would you say is your job description (in terms a non-engineering expert would understand)?

That when the state or a county does not like a bridge, for instance it is in bad shape or does not perform to what it needs to do (ex. water is coming over it or it needs widening due to traffic increase) they hire us to design the new one and make plans for someone to follow and build one that meets the new needs.

Any cool projects you can talk about?

The ones I work on are just mostly the little bridges that you would cross when out on a country road. The company does design larger bridges, but that requires more experience.

When did you become interested in engineering? 

I was always interested in becoming an engineer since early high school, but I was not sure which kind. I initially started as a mechanical engineer when I got to SIUE … but the more I saw the career paths there, the less I wanted to continue, but I noticed that civil engineering was typically large projects; they involved the environment around them and that interested me more.

I soon changed my major and quickly noticed the structural and hydraulic design is what interested me the most so I took my electives in those fields and was lucky to find a job here at Hutchison’s that does exactly those two things.

Did you get a graduation ceremony if you graduated this year with COVID-19?

No, the SIUE School of Engineering just did a YouTube video where they showed the graduates names.

What brought you to interview at Hutchinson Engineering?

I worked at the Cass County Highway Department between my sophomore and junior years and met some the engineers here because they do a lot of jobs for Cass. So when I was looking for an internship the next year, I called Hutchison to see if they were looking for interns and they were, so I interviewed and they hired me as an intern and then hired me full-time once I graduated.

Are you living in Jacksonville?  If not, where do you live?

I am not living in Jacksonville. I currently live outside Beardstown.

Are you getting involved with any organizations in town (e.g., The Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.?) or would you consider it in the future?

If I moved to Jacksonville, I would consider it.

Hobbies?

In the fall I love to duck hunt and play fantasy football. I went skiing last winter a couple of times and am already planning new ski trips, and this summer I set up a volleyball net in my yard and played with friends.

Family details:

I have a sister three years younger than me and my mom is a teacher at Beardstown High School, and I did have to have her in class.

Tell me something about yourself. 

My favorite way to spend time is outside, whether hunting, fishing, biking, skiing, playing sports or just messing around in the woods, that is what I like to do on the weekends.

Matthew Ogden

Matthew Ogden’s hometown is Normal, Illinois and he currently resides in Chatham. He attended Missouri University of Science and Technology and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in May 2020.

Ogden is a project engineer and works in the structural engineering department.

What would you say is your job

description in terms a non-engineering expert would understand?

My job is to design bridges. This includes designing the layout, dimensions and components of a bridge and roadway. In addition, I calculate the bridge loads and check the structural adequacy of a bridge. If the bridge passes over a stream, I create a hydraulic model of the stream. I draw plan sheets and put together report documentation.

When did you become interested in engineering? 

I became interested in engineering in high school. I always excelled in math and science throughout grade school, and many of my teachers recommended that I pursue engineering in college. I began my college career as an electrical engineering major, but I quickly changed my major to civil engineering. I was blessed to have a construction estimation internship with a contractor in Bloomington-Normal during the summer between my senior year of high school and freshman year of college. This internship directed me toward changing my major to civil engineering.

Did you get a graduation ceremony if you graduated this year with COVID-19?

Missouri S&T held a virtual graduation ceremony through Facebook Live in May. The university plans to have an in-person ceremony at a later date.

What brought you to interview at Hutchison Engineering?

I found the job opening through my school’s online job platform. The job position was exactly what I wanted to pursue for a career, and the location was perfect. Proximity to home was a huge factor for me. Most of my family lives in Central Illinois, and this job allows me to see my parents, brothers and grandparents on a regular basis. Hutchison Engineering works on projects throughout the state of Illinois, and I like that I can work on projects that are close to home. Hutchison Engineering has a great reputation and I knew the firm would provide an excellent opportunity to start and grow my career.

Are you getting involved with any organizations in town (e.g., The Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.?) or would you consider it in the future?

I have not gotten involved with any organizations yet, but I would consider joining sports and recreation leagues in Jacksonville.

Hobbies?

In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching sports. I played club baseball in college, and I continue to play baseball in my free time. I plan to join a men’s recreational baseball league in the future. I also play basketball and golf with my brothers and friends on a regular basis. I enjoy watching baseball, basketball and football at the professional and collegiate levels. Outside of sports, I love playing card games, especially poker and pitch.

Family details:

My parents still live in Normal. I have two younger brothers. One attends Iowa State University, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. The other will attend St. Ambrose University, pursuing a degree in pre-physical therapy.

Tell me something about yourself. 

Sports have had a profound impact on my life and many of my greatest life memories and experiences revolve around sports. For instance, club baseball was my favorite experience from college. Our team was highly successful and reached the National Club Baseball Association World Series twice. Our team trips were some of my greatest memories, especially traveling to Pennsylvania twice for the World Series. During my senior year, I was elected club president, which provided a unique opportunity to play and manage the team simultaneously. I was responsible for organizing travel, communicating with the league and other teams, running practices, and managing the team during games. This position greatly improved my leadership, organizational, and time management skills.

Cole Burke

Burke’s hometown is Jacksonville where he was a member of Routt Catholic ChicClass of 2016 and he as returned here to live and work. He attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in May 2020.

Burke is a project engineer focusing in road design.

What would you say is your job description in terms a non-engineering expert would understand?

I fix problems. In a perfect world, you will never think about my job, because that means everything is working as it should.

Any cool projects you can talk about?

I was privileged to work on the East State Street project for the past couple of summers. Currently under construction we are working on a similar project in Mt. Sterling. Both will be beautiful when they are done.

When did you become interested in engineering? 

I have been around engineering my whole life. There never really was much of a question about what I wanted to be.

Did you get a graduation ceremony if you graduated this year with COVID-19?

I did not get a graduation ceremony, but I am OK with that. Plenty of people have been affected by this situation in much more serious ways.

What brought you to interview at Hutchinson Engineering?

I grew up in town and it felt like the natural choice from the beginning. After looking around a little bit, I confirmed my suspicions.

Are you getting involved with any organizations in town (e.g., The Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.?) or would you consider it in the future?

I have not yet joined an organization, but I am starting to look around for one.

Hobbies?

Hunting, landscaping, catching a good Cardinals game and tending bar at the Brickhouse on weekends.

Family details:

Jim Burke (father) – civil engineer

Laura Burke (mother) – retired

Kalleigh Burke (Sister) – junior in college, studying finance at Notre Dame

Tell me something about yourself. 

Just this past week, we found the confirmation that my great-great-great-grandfather is buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Winchester, making me the sixth generation of my family to live here. I love this place and I am happy to be home.

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