TAMPA — It began with two engineers and the understanding of a need in the marketplace.
During the past four years, Arehna Engineering Inc. has grown from a two-person startup to a 35-person operation based in 9,000-square-foot facilities, and continues to expand.
Founders Jessica McRory, president, and Sonia Florence, vice president, met as co-workers at an engineering consulting firm.
“We got to know each other and found each other’s strengths and from there it made sense to come together and start a company,” Florence said.
They founded Arehna in January 2009. The company provides geotechnical and materials testing services primarily in a sub-consultant role.
As a women-owned firm, Arehna qualifies as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, which makes it competitive for certain government projects.
“We knew it was a benefit that we were both women engineers,” Florence said.
The company has also built a staff of seasoned engineers and established a reputation in the local area.
Active marketing and networking helped moved the firm forward during some of the bleakest days in the economy, the founders said… Read more ».