Thrivence helped a public utility’s new president rapidly align the executive team around a shared vision by facilitating a strategic retreat that clarified priorities, updated the mission, vision, and values, and established a roadmap to guide the organization through complex infrastructure and regulatory challenges.
Strategy & AI Activation for AEC
Clarify your strategy, deploy AI with purpose, and build a firm that endures. We are executives who have scaled successful firms, with 100+ collective years of strategy experience serving 45+ AEC organizations.
Our Experts Have Been Featured In
The AEC Industry Is Facing a Critical Inflection Point
Leadership exits are accelerating. Private equity is reshaping ownership structures. Artificial intelligence is redefining how work is delivered, priced, and scaled. The firms that emerge stronger will not be the busiest. They will be aligned, AI-enabled, and execution-ready.
Will your firm define the next decade or be defined by it?
We're Trusted Advisors to AEC Leaders Navigating Strategy, AI, & Growth
Thrivence works with AEC leadership teams to clarify strategy, deploy AI with purpose, and build firms that endure. Our team includes former executives who have built and scaled successful organizations, bringing more than 100 years of collective experience and trusted partnership with 45+ AEC firms nationwide.
Our Services
Customized AI Roadmapping
Turn AI into a Clear, Actionable Plan
We help AEC firms identify where AI creates real business value and build a practical roadmap for adoption.
The Benefits:
- Identify the highest-value AI opportunities across your firm
- Assess your systems, data, and readiness for safe adoption
- Build a prioritized roadmap with timelines, costs, and ROI
The Outcome:
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A clear path to deploy AI confidently and gain competitive advantage.
Enterprise Strategic Planning
Define Your Firm’s Direction & Align Your Leaders
We help AEC leadership teams clarify strategy and build executable plans for growth and long-term success.
The Benefits:
- Align leadership around clear priorities and direction
- Identify growth opportunities and structural risks
- Build a 30-60-90 day execution roadmap
- Map your communications and change management plans to your organization
The Outcome:
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A focused, aligned firm positioned to grow and outperform competitors.
Meet a Few of Our Strategy Advisors
Bob Higgins
Bob Higgins has spent 30 years in the AEC industry and 15 years as CEO of Barge Design Solutions. Since becoming CEO, he has helped grow the firm from $50m to $150m and 600+ people.
Under his leadership, Barge Design Solutions has grown into a top-ranked engineering and architectural firm, known for its innovative approach and commitment to enhancing quality of life through engineering excellence. Bob's passion for problem-solving and his focus on ethical leadership have earned him recognition as one of the Nashville Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs multiple times.
Recently, Bob has become known for his expertise in generative AI and his practical application of the technology as a CEO. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Nashville Business Journal, and is also a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University.
Gary McClure
Gary McClure is a senior consultant for Thrivence and the practice leader for AI Advisory for the firm. Gary has more than 30 years management experience with companies ranging from Fortune 50 to small firms and in a variety of industries.
Gary, a certified professional facilitator, leads teams to achieve their objectives and frequently directs complex projects involving business strategy, organizational performance, and market repositioning. He also uses his change management certifications to help companies navigate through enterprise-wide transformation.
Prior to 15 years in other management consulting firms, Gary spent eight years in the technology division of LifeWay, led marketing for a leading economic development publication, and spent 10 years with Nortel Networks in various strategic marketing leadership roles. He has an economics degree from Mississippi State University and an MBA from the Owen School at Vanderbilt University.
Alecia Wynn
Alecia Wynn is a Senior Consultant with 25+ years of experience. Consulting with boutique and international firms provides her knowledge of many industries including healthcare, retail, hospitality, finance, education, and manufacturing. Additionally, Alecia held operational roles at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Health IT, HCA Physician Services, and LifeWay Christian Resources. Her combined consulting and operational experiences result in her ability to offer clients a balance of industry best practices and customized solutions. Alecia's expertise includes:
- Transformation Adoption
- Leadership Development
- Culture Evolution
- Change Management
- Strategic Alignment & Planning
- Organizational Design
- Program/Project Leadership
"What an incredible experience! I left this workshop truly inspired by the dynamic discussions led by an exceptional lineup of AI experts and industry leaders. Their insights into leveraging AI in the engineering sector were both thought-provoking and empowering."
Case Studies
Guiding an Engineering Firm Toward AI Readiness
A national engineering firm knew AI would reshape its future but lacked visibility into its data, systems, and risks. Thrivence conducted a focused AI readiness assessment, mapping 56 platforms, benchmarking governance maturity, and delivering a clear, prioritized roadmap aligned with executive strategy.
From AI Exploration to Execution for a Global Aviation Logistics Firm
Read how Thrivence helped a global aviation logistics organization identify 89 business processes, evaluate 14 AI use cases, and deliver a clear 12-month roadmap. Leadership gained unified direction, reduced risk, and accelerated time-to-value.
What are the most common strategic risks facing AEC firms today?
These risks often develop quietly over time. Our role is to help leadership teams identify these vulnerabilities early and define a strategy that creates clarity, alignment, and long-term advantage.
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Leadership transitions without a clear strategic reset
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Growth without differentiation, leading to margin compression
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Lack of alignment among senior leaders
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Failure to adapt to AI and emerging technologies
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Reactive decision-making instead of intentional direction
Why Choose Thrivence?
Here's what you can expect from our experts & their approach:
Real-World Leadership Experience
Our team comprises former senior executives who have led major transformations in companies just like yours. We understand the pressures you face and the complexity of leading large organizations. Our advisors are former CEOs, senior executives, and practitioners from the AEC industry.
A Proven Track Record
With over 100 collective years of experience, our consultants have successfully partnered with executive teams across various industries, from finance to technology, to develop and execute strategic plans that deliver results. We bring data-backed insights and a rigorous approach to every engagement.
We Put Your People First
Your people are the touchstone of our strategic planning process. Our team factors in their needs and perspectives to create a sense of shared ownership. And we help you communicate the purpose, goals, and outputs of your plan to drive adoption.We're Designed for Action
We focus as much on outcomes as inputs. That’s why we design with implementation in mind, helping you with strategy planning that is actionable, not theoretical. Our tools and techniques make it possible to move quickly to results.
A New Strategy Experience for Leaders
This isn't just another strategic planning session or a plan that sits on a shelf, it's a transformative experience that empowers you to lead with clarity and confidence. At Thrivence, we understand the frustrations of reactive planning and the desire for a clear, actionable path. Our approach goes beyond the basics; it's about crafting a compelling narrative that guides your organization through the next three years.Powerful Assessments
Our powerful assessments provide a deep dive into your organization’s current state, uncovering the underlying issues that may be holding you back. With insights tailored to your unique challenges, we help you see the big picture clearly and identify actionable steps to move forward. These assessments aren't just about gathering data—they’re about equipping you with the knowledge and tools to make informed, strategic decisions that drive lasting success.
The Keys to Success & How We Help
Our strategic planning approach is more than a meeting resulting in a plan. What you get with Thrivence is a holistic approach that ensures your plan is successful.
Does This Sound Like Your Organization?
- 90% of organizations fail to execute their strategies successfully, which can lead to a host of inefficiencies and financial losses
- 85% of leadership teams spend less than one hour per month on strategy, while 50% spend no time at all—leading to poor execution and missed opportunities
- 95% of employees don't understand their company's strategy, making it nearly impossible for them to align their day-to-day activities with strategic goals
- 60% of organizations don't tie their financial budgets to strategic priorities, often resulting in misallocated resources and underperformance
- Companies that successfully implement strategic initiatives increase their profitability by up to 77%, showing the clear financial benefits of effective planning
- 48% of organizations fail to meet at least half of their strategic targets, demonstrating the widespread challenge of strategy execution
What's Included in the Strategic Planning Kit
Strategy Accelerator
$4,500
Assess Your Firm & Get Strategy Coaching
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Conduct an assessment of your organization
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60-minute coaching call with Thrivence
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Get access to the strategic planning kit & field guide
Strategy Workshop
$10k-$15k a Day
We'll Facilitate a Private Workshop for Your Team
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Get an in-person coaching workshop for your leadership team
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The strategic planning kit & field guide
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The strategic planning playbook
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All printed checklists & templates
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Implementation & action planning
Craft Your Strategy Journey
Contact Us
Select Services for Your Firm
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In-depth discovery session
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Communications plan
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Change management plan
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Accountability workshop
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30-60-90 day team check-ins
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Powerful assessments for your team
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Departmental strategy
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Executive Coaching
Have questions?
We're here to help.
How does Thrivence differ from traditional strategic planning consultants?
Our team consists of former executives who have built, led, and scaled AEC and professional services firms. We bring an operator’s perspective, not just a facilitator’s.
We focus on helping leadership teams make real decisions, align around a clear direction, and build strategies that increase enterprise value.
Our approach is practical, direct, and grounded in experience, ensuring your strategy reflects both your market realities and your firm’s long-term ambitions.
How do we know if our firm’s strategy is strong enough to compete in the next 3–5 years?
Many AEC firms have a plan, but fewer have a strategy that is resilient to leadership transitions, AI disruption, private equity consolidation, and increasing client expectations.
A strong strategy provides clear answers to critical questions: Where will we grow? What will differentiate us? What capabilities must we build? And what must we stop doing?
We help leadership teams pressure-test their current direction, identify strategic gaps, and define a focused path forward ensuring the firm is positioned to grow, compete, and increase enterprise value over the long term.
What tangible outcomes should we expect from a strategic planning engagement?
By the end of the engagement, your leadership team will have:
- A clear strategic direction and defined priorities
- Alignment among executives on where the firm is going and why
- A focused set of initiatives tied to measurable outcomes
- A practical roadmap for execution
- Greater confidence in the firm’s future and leadership alignment
Most importantly, leadership teams leave with clarity and momentum, enabling faster, more confident decision-making.
What happens during a strategy session?
Our strategy session is a focused, immersive experience designed to align your leadership team around a clear strategic vision. Over the course of 1 or 2 days, our facilitators will lead your team through discussions, exercises, and planning sessions. The retreat aims to identify key strategic priorities, align resources, and develop a cohesive action plan. By the end of the retreat, your team will have a clear, actionable strategy to drive your organization forward.
Can we customize the strategic planning services to fit our specific needs?
Yes, all of our strategic planning services can be customized to fit the unique needs of your organization. Whether you require more intensive workshops, additional consultation hours, or specific focus areas, we will tailor our approach to ensure it aligns with your business goals and challenges.
How do you ensure our strategy actually gets executed, not just documented?
Execution is where most strategic plans fail.
Our process goes beyond defining priorities, we translate strategy into clear initiatives, ownership, timelines, and accountability. Leadership teams leave with a practical execution roadmap, not a theoretical document.
We also help establish operating rhythms and decision frameworks so strategy becomes embedded in how the organization operates, not something that sits on a shelf.
How should AEC firms be thinking about AI as part of their strategy?
AI will fundamentally reshape how AEC firms operate, compete, and create value, but most firms lack a clear plan for adoption.
Strategic planning is the right time to define how AI will impact your operations, workforce, and competitive positioning. We help leadership teams identify practical opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and ensure AI supports—not distracts from—the firm’s strategic goals.
Firms that act intentionally now will have a significant advantage over the next decade.
How We're Helping Firms Generate Real Business Results
Client Success Story: Recruiting
A leading engineering firm was struggling to attract talent, so we developed a custom AI initiative to optimize job postings. Traffic to postings doubled and dramatically increased applications, reviews, and interviews.
- Applications: 132% Increase
- In Review: 2,260% Increase
- Interviews: 375% Increase
More Client Success Stories
- Reduced Costs: A local municipality generated cost savings up to 80% using AI/ML and image recognition with our custom software that reduced man hours for their asset management program.
- Improved Sales: A firm developed a successful strategic sales and marketing strategy all from a single photo of a project.
- Enhanced Workflows: Other firms have used AI to automate data analytics to build prompts for extracting data from images, building programming code, and highlighting risk in contract reviews.
What You'll Leave With
A certificate & badge to share with others
Frameworks you can immediately apply
Bonus course ($197 for free) & free downloads
Free Guide: AI Checklist for AEC Leaders
A 3-part framework and checklist to help you integrate AI to solve problems & grow your business
