View Project
Brad Petterson
Principal
“After nearly 35 years with AEI, I am still excited to come to work because it is hands-on problem-solving. From designing utility plants to overseeing construction, every day presents new challenges. It's the satisfaction of finding practical solutions and seeing them come to life that keeps me hooked.”
Brad Petterson began his career in AEI’s Madison office in 1989, where he worked on the design of a variety of projects, primarily research laboratory buildings, energy and utility facilities, and related distribution. In 1993, AEI offered him the opportunity to be the firm’s “boots on the ground,” providing full-time construction administration and design services for the company’s first major chilled water plant projects in North Carolina. The assignment was meant to only last around a year, but over 30 years later, Brad is still in North Carolina as managing director for the Chapel Hill office.
As a principal and project manager, Brad is responsible for the planning, design, and delivery of central heating and cooling utility plants and related distribution systems, including steam, hot water, chilled water, and power in large campus settings. He has outstanding leadership, management, organizational, and collaborative design skills for successfully delivering utility infrastructure projects for higher education clients. Having a detailed and thorough approach to project leadership, Brad ensures all concepts and ideas are reviewed and discussed in a collaborative manner with the entire design team, ensuring projects remain on budget and schedule.