News and Projects
In Memory of Bennie J. Sellers, P.E., P.L.S.
The late Mr. Bennie Sellers, P.E., P.L.S., became a Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in 1957. In 2010, he became a part of Shows, Dearman & Waits after being the Director of Public Services and Engineering for the City of Hattiesburg for over 20 years. Mr. Bennie was a valued member of our SDW family until his retirement in 2020.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a great man that dedicated his life to the betterment of our company and our fair city.
Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Celebrating 50 Years
The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport recently celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 2, 2024.
The airport serves as a hub for southeast Mississippi by being centrally located between Jones County and Forrest County. In addition to the airport, the facility is home to the I-59 Supply Chain Park. The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport teams up with Forrest County, Jones County, the ADP, and the EDA of Jones County to continue to grow the I-59 Supply Chain Park and bring jobs to our community.
We want to congratulate the airport for a successful 50 years and express our gratitude to them as our client!
Meet the Vice-President: John T. Weeks, P.E.
John Weeks has resided in the Hattiesburg area since 1982. A graduate of Mississippi State University, John has worked with Shows, Dearman and Waits off and on for 22 years and is currently one of the firm’s professional engineers and SDW’s Managing Partner. John says his specialty is “surrounding myself with a good team.”
Q&A With the Vice-President
What made you choose this career?
John: “I have always enjoyed understanding how things work.”
What are some of the professional accomplishments that you are most proud of?
John: “Becoming a licensed professional and encouraging and mentoring people in our field.”
What are your core values and how do they affect how you do your job?
John: “I feel led to use my God-given talents to better the environment in which we live, whether through an engineered design or simply picking up litter or offering a compliment to a stranger, I always strive to leave the situation better than I found it.”
Let’s get personal. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
John: “I enjoy the outdoors. Whether improving the landscape at our family land or spending an afternoon fishing with my wife and son, I simply love being outdoors and accomplishing tasks.”
Meet the President: Shea E. McNease, P.E.
Shea McNease has resided in the Hattiesburg area for eighteen years. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Shea has been employed with Shows, Dearman and Waits throughout his 18 years of residence in the hub city and is the current president of SDW.
Q&A With the President
What made you choose this career?
Shea: “My initial attraction was a love for construction. As I began to learn more about the field, I developed a love for the way civil engineers impact communities in both subtle and very noticeable ways. Though unseen many times, our profession helps make community and civilization possible.”
What are some of the professional accomplishments that you are most proud of?
Shea: “Obtaining my professional engineering license, being invited to partnership in SDW, and helping to carry on the legacy of an almost 60-year-old company for the last 15 years.”
What are your core values and how do they affect how you do your job?
Shea: “I was given a deep sense of family and community in my upbringing. Generally, I wake up each day with the goal of bettering the communities that I am invited to work in and hopefully creating better lives for the families who call them home.”
Let’s get personal. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Shea: “I am passionate about hunting and fishing, but do not get to do either as much as I would like. Most of my time outside of work is spent in youth rodeo, youth football, or with other sports involving my kids.”
It would be impossible to say we have fully introduced you to our President, Shea McNease, without sharing his words which have been permanently affixed to the walls of Shows, Dearman and Waits. Shea’s words, which have become the touchstone of the company, read as follows:
The Ideal
The term “civil” alludes to connectivity. In our business, we work with the connections of infrastructure: whether it be roads, sidewalks, bridges, pipe networks, or drain ways. These are all physical connections that provide for community, or “civil”-ization. The word “civil” also alludes to communal or human connections; that is, the connection between communities or human beings – how we treat each other, and how we view ourselves in the context of a community. It’s how we participate in something bigger than ourselves. When we seek to fulfill both of these definitions of the word civil, it requires our profession to seek a higher calling.
The External Reality
What we face as we seek to answer to that higher calling is, we confront a progressing world. It is a world that is advancing and ever changing; yet, also a world of finite resources, opposing stakeholder interests, financial limitations, and competing economic pressure that demands civic leadership beyond the skills learned in engineering school.
The Positioning
While we see this as a picture of what we face today, it’s also a picture of what our founding partners saw many years ago; and it’s why they built and instilled in SD-W the willingness to accept the civic leadership mantle required of a citizen engineer. It’s a mantle characterized by team-building, consensus-management, listening, communicating, and shaping the vision of the communities and clients with which we work. From this new and expanded position, they established in us a promise to deliver on a combination of technical, economic, social, and environmental values. It’s a promise of new economic opportunity, strong environmental stewardship, and significant social benefits. A promise to develop a world in which progress is defined by the increased quality of life, welfare, and safety of the public, and it’s a promise to see that progress realized through the professional contributions we make.
The Bar
The mantra that this clarifies for us – that we strive to live out every day – is to Be The Bar. Not to achieve the bar. Not just to set the bar. But to every day be that bar. Be that standard.
When we do that, we answer the higher calling, and when we answer the higher calling, we’re not just engineering projects, we’re Engineering Progress!
Shea McNease, P.E., President
A Golden Christmas
Recently the officers of Shows, Dearman & Waits hosted a Christmas party for all the firm’s employees and their spouses at Hattiesburg Country Club. The Country Club was decked out in festive greenery and golden reindeer for the occasion and served an excellent meal to the attendees.
The golden decorations served a dual purpose, however, as SDW’s president Shea McNease took the opportunity to honor survey party chief Mark Sanders for 50 years of service to the company. Mark’s golden anniversary with Shows, Dearman & Waits was celebrated in style and with his wife and children in attendance.
The special presentation included pictures of Mark and his family throughout the years, as well as notable SDW projects he worked on as a surveyor during the decades of his employ, along with a timeline of important moments in history to lend context to the impressive span of time covered during Mr. Sanders’ dedication to the company.
As a final expression of thanks, the presentation ended when Shea McNease presented Mark Sanders with a custom engraved knife made by local bladesmith Beaux Recatto. Mr. Sanders gave a brief speech expressing his gratitude for his family, God’s grace, and a company that cares so deeply for their employees.
Shows, Dearman & Waits is more than just an engineering firm; it is a family. From our family to yours, we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!
Redesign and Reconstruction of Country Club Road
Shows, Dearman & Waits’ professional engineering services were recently retained by the City of Hattiesburg in order to develop plans for the reconstruction of Country Club Road from Memorial Drive to J.C. Killingsworth Drive.
The roadway construction project consists of paving 2 twelve-foot travel lanes, an 8-foot sidewalk along the entire length of the East side of the roadway, installment of 5,116 feet of drainage pipe, and inclusion of an elevated cross walk at Everett Street and Graham Avenue.
The $1.9 million project was awarded to R&J Construction of Laurel, MS and is being funded primarily by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Work is set to begin January 3, 2022 and it is estimated that it will take approximately one year for completion.
Safety Improvements for HLRA
The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Authority recently retained the professional engineering services of Shows, Dearman & Waits to address safety issues relating to the Runway Safety Area (RSA) on each end of the 6,500 foot asphalt runway.
SDW developed a plan to relocate an emergency access road outside the RSA. Walker Construction from Wiggins was awarded the $1.1 million contract and is expected to complete the project ahead of schedule.
Sweet Success
Lou Thomas graduated from Mississippi State University in 2015, and became a part of SDW in 2016 as an engineer in training. Recently, Lou passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to join the ranks of Professional Engineers!
To celebrate Lou’s accomplishments, SDW hosted a pie and donuts breakfast with some of Lou’s favorites including cheesecake, key lime, and jelly donuts.
Your SDW family is very proud of you, Lou! Take some time to savor your success.
Excellence in Engineering and Military Training
Shows, Dearman and Waits submitted the Obstacle Course Project to the American Council of Engineering Companies for the Engineering Excellence Awards. The Mississippi Military Department recently completed the project with the SDW team lead by Kyle Wallace and Weston Locastro.
The Obstacle Course Project was developed to aid in training of military personnel. The physical fitness course was constructed at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center and has hosted National Guard competitions from across the country/world.
Improvements to the Longleaf Trace
Shows, Dearman & Waits was pleased to assist the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District with repairs to the wooden railroad trestles (bridges) from the previous Mississippi Central Railroad. The deterioration of the wooden piling and caps had reduced the carrying capacity of the bridges and limited the use. The project replaced piling, caps and girders and provides a safe route for pedestrians, cyclists and others to use the Longleaf Trace.
2021 Mississippi Municipal League Annual Conference
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc. was pleased to be a part of the recent Mississippi Municipal League Annual Convention held July 26-28, 2021 in Biloxi, MS.
“MML 2021 was a fantastic experience. It felt good to be back in a social setting with our clients, show new team members the ropes, and see old friends we missed in 2020. We’re looking forward to MML 2022!” ~ Lou Thomas, E.I.
Recent Luncheon With Former Team Member
A recent luncheon with one of our former team members. Leon Sharp retired from SDW several years ago. Leon’s wit and dedication were a great asset to our Firm. Continued best wishes in retirement to Leon.
Congratulations Alaina!!
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Congratulations to Alaina Anderson!! SDW Staff celebrate with Alaina at a surprise lunch in her honor. She Graduates tomorrow from the University of Southern Mississippi after many years of hard work.
SDW helps with Bridge Replacement
Shows, Dearman and Waits, Inc. performs construction staking on a new precast bridge for the City of Hattiesburg. As evidenced by the rotting piling, this bridge was well beyond the design life and replacement was necessary to provide a safe route.
SMTTT!!
SDW proudly supports the University of Southern Mississippi.
Good Luck this Weekend.
Go Eagles!!
Soilders at Camp Shelby get update Firing Range
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc continues to aid the Mississippi Military Department with the design and construction engineering services of firing ranges at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center located near Hattiesburg, MS. The most recent project is the renovation of Range 41. This range was constructed many years ago and the current project will provide updated berms, bunkers, electrical and communications systems to allow troops to train for combat situations. The photograph reflects a concrete storage facility under construction designed to withstand artillery rounds while protecting targetry devices.
On the Road to Recovery
SDW would like to congratulate Kyle on the success of his recent back surgery. Many of the SDW staff members were on hand to help Kyle celebrate with the largest Hersey Bar any of them have every seen. Some would say that chocolate is an obsession of Kyle’s. As everyone enjoyed a piece of this chocolate delight, the staff encourage Kyle on his continued recovery.
Ready! Set! GO!
Team Building is something any business should do. The latest Team Building exercise at SDW is dodge-ball. In the latest community involvement effort by the City of Hattiesburg, the Parks and Recreation Department has created an over 18, co-ed, adult Dodge-ball League. The SDW crew has joined the ranks as the Sphere Dodging Wizards. What a great way to get together, have fun and have a chance to hit your cross town rivals with a ball.
Team Members
Head Coach
New Hangar at Waynesboro Municipal Airport
The City of Waynesboro in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Mississippi Department of Transportation are constructing an new 80 foot x 100 foot aircraft hangar at the Waynesboro Municipal Airport. SDW provided the engineering services for this endeavor which will provide additional storage space for based aircraft.
US49 North Water Line is Progressing
The City of Hattiesburg continues with progress of installation of fire hydrants along US Highway 49 North to serve this commercial corridor of the City. At the request of the City of Hattiesburg, the fire hydrants are produced in yellow from the factory in order to save money for the fire department who usually paints them yellow after installation.
Tank Washing at PIB
SDW continues to help our clients even with small projects with a big impact. The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport located in southeast Mississippi has a pedestal elevated storage tank that provides domestic and fire protection water to the airport and the industrial park. A thorough interior washing meets the MS Dept of Health recommendations for water quality and an exterior wash provides a positive image for the facility.
Wallace named as ACEC-MS Board Member
SDW Vice President Kyle Wallace has been named as a 2017-2018 American Council of Engineering Companies of Mississippi board member. Kyle will join nine other engineers from across the state as part of the board for this term. Congratulations Kyle!
The announcement was posted in the Mississippi Business Journal in September 2017.
The District at Midtown – Construction Begins
SDW Engineers was a key consultant in the development of the District at Midtown. Over 12 months of design preparation has finally culminated with the start of construction. With over $3 million in private site development and over $1 million in city infrastructure improvements, this project represents a huge investment in the City of Hattiesburg. Construction will also include a 100 room, 5 story Indigo Hotel and 4 retail and restaurant buildings.
As construction continues into late summer, much of the city storm drainage and sanitary sewer improvements are nearing completion along Chevy Chase Drive and South 30th Avenue. Construction will then move to South 31st Avenue. Also moving along is the building construction. The 2 new buildings along the West side of South 31st Avenue are moving along at rapid pace with foundations, steal structures and roofs nearing completion. On the East side of South 31st Avenue, the new retaining wall along Hardy Street is about half way completed and the hotel construction starting to tower over the site.
Airport Layout Plans are a Specialty
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc is in the final stages of updating the Airport Layout Plans (ALP) for the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB), Waynesboro Municipal Airport (2R0) and Hesler-Noble Field in Laurel (LUL). These highly specialized surveying and drafting projects outline the expertise of the staff at SDW. By updating this information for these Mississippi airports, SDW ensures the facilities meet all Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
Drafting Position Available
SDW has an immediate need for a motivated person to fill an entry level drafting position.
TYPE: Full-Time entry AutoCAD Technician
SALARY: Commensurate with experience and education
BENEFITS: 401K, Medical Insurance, Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Leave
JOB DESCRIPTION: We are currently seeking an AutoCAD technician to join our team to perform various design related tasks. The successful candidate will have measured aspirations to manage various projects from concept to completion while focusing on the betterment of the community in which we live. The successful candidate will be responsible for using field crew data to create drawings using AutoCAD C3D 2016 (or later) software including: sorting points using point groups; creating terrain surfaces using field data; drawing existing features using field data, pictures and notes; supporting the project engineers and team members to ensure projects are technically sound; ensuring the quality of work remains paramount in the project while delivering on time and within the project budget to the satisfaction of the client. Other job duties will include making copies, scanning, filing and typing in addition to courthouse research and related errands.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: High School Graduate or equivalent GED with a minimum of two years of college in drafting, engineering, or a related field. Associates degree or bachelors degree preferred. Must be detail oriented, neat and organized. Must have the ability to work well on a team and complete tasks with technical proficiency and competence. Must be familiar in AutoCAD C3D 2016 (or later), MS Windows, MS Office Suite: Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Range 18 Complete – Camp Shelby, MS
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc recently completed design and construction phase services for the Mississippi Military Department on the Modernization and Repair of Range 18 at Camp Shelby. The 1.5 million dollar improvement to the existing range consisted of installation of new SAT’s, SIT’s, a new wall for the MAT, AAR Building and Misfire Pit. Also included in the project was the upgrades of the communication and power to a hard wired system for control of the targetry. These improvements were constructed by B.W. Sullivan Contractor of Hattiesburg to aid in the mission to train and equip our troops
Bennie Sellers Receives Award
Bennie J. Sellers, P.E., P.S. was recently recognized for his service to the engineering and surveying profession as a former board member of the Mississippi State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. As a token of appreciation, Board member Rick Turner presented Mr. Sellers with a gift box with the with his service dates of June 22, 2010 through August 3, 2016.
Hiwannee Water Well
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc starts construction for Hiwannee Water Association located in Wayne County, Mississippi with Griner Drilling Service. The 3,000 foot well will provide a secondary water source for customers located on the west side of the Chickasawhay River.
Mississippi Municipal League Conference 2016
SDW recently participated in the Mississippi Municipal League 85th Annual Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. As an exhibitor, SDW was please to visit with MML Past President Mayor V.O. Smith of Collins, Mississippi who is currently one of the longest serving Mayors in the United States.
SDW Bowling for the Team
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc. recently held a team building afternoon of bowling for all company employees. After a light lunch, teams were drawn and a “friendly” game of bowling was held. As a 50+ year old company in the South Mississippi region, SDW continues to excel in the engineering community with a dedicated and long tenured staff.
Andrews Road Reconstruction
Andrews Road Reconstruction at Camp Shelby Training Site for the Mississippi Military Department continues with the removal of existing concrete pavement. As the lead engineer in the project, Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc. monitors the construction progress of Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel, Mississippi in this $1,130,000.00 project.
Wallace named as ACEC-MS Board Member
SDW Vice President Kyle Wallace has been named as a 2015-2016 American Council of Engineering Companies of Mississippi board member. Kyle will join nine other engineers from across the state as part of the board for this term. Congratulations Kyle!
The announcement was posted in the Mississippi Business Journal on 30 October, 2015.
Position Available
TYPE: Full-Time entry AutoCAD Technician
SALARY: Commensurate with experience and education
LOCATION: Hattiesburg, MS
BACKGROUND: Shows, Dearman and Waits, Inc. was formed in January of 1963 to pursue a general practice of consultation in civil engineering. A cornerstone goal of our firm from the very outset was to deliver technical, economic, social and environmental excellence in every project in which we touch. We stand for quality of character and quality of work and strive to provide both in the most effective, efficient and economical way possible. Our objective has been to set the bar for our profession – our unswerving commitment to client service and our unequalled commitment to excellence have made this a reality.
JOB DESCRIPTION: We are currently seeking an AutoCAD technician to join our team to perform various design related tasks. The successful candidate will have measured aspirations to manage various projects from concept to completion while focusing on the betterment of the community in which we live. The successful candidate will be responsible for using field crew data to create drawings using AutoCAD C3D 2013 (or later) software including: sorting points using point groups; creating terrain surfaces using field data; drawing existing features using field data, pictures and notes; supporting the project engineers and team members to ensure projects are technically sound; ensuring the quality of work remains paramount in the project while delivering on time and within the project budget to the satisfaction of the client. Other job duties will include making copies, scanning, filing and typing in addition to courthouse research and related errands.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: High School Graduate or equivalent GED with a minimum of a two year degree in drafting, engineering, or related field. Associates degree or four year degree preferred. Must be detail oriented, neat and organized. Must have the ability to work well on a team and complete tasks with technical proficiency and competence. Must be proficient in AutoCAD C3D 2013 (or later), Windows, MS Outlook, Word and Excel as well as Adobe PDF Reader.
CONTACT:
Resumes (two pages maximum) and cover letter should be submitted in writing by mail or email (PDF attachments only); no calls please:
CAD Position
c/o John Weeks, PE
301 2nd Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Checking-In
Kyle Wallace, PE is Checking-In on one of the founders of Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc. – Raymond Dearman, PE, RLS – who is now enjoying his well earned retirement.
Mt Olive Main Street Gets A Facelift
Recently completed, Main Street in downtown Mt. Olive, MS received a much deserved face lift. The project, costing approximately $130,000, was completed with the help of funding secured by Mississippi Department of Transportation Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King. Construction included installation of curb islands with landscaping along the center of the roadway, updated traffic striping, stamped brick crosswalks and other miscellaneous improvements. Beautification updates like these will help Mt. Olive retain its small town charm while improving the traffic flow for local residents.
2015 Mississippi Municipal League Annual Conference
Shows Dearman and Waits recently participated in the annual Mississippi Municipal League Conference. Our booth was staffed with experience of two weeks with Ms Ivy Riley to over fifty years with Mr Bennie Sellers.
Thank You to outgoing MES President, John Weeks
John Weeks recently completed his term as President of the Southeastern Chapter of the Mississippi Engineering Society. This five year commitment to the local chapter will continue next year as the representative for the Chapter at the state level. Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc. is active in the professional and civic activities of the community to make Southeastern Mississippi a better place for everyone. This service to our engineering profession is greatly appreciated and a big “Thank You” is needed for John.
Progress at HLRA
Construction continues at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Industrial Park located on Interstate 59 in Jones County. Jones County and Forrest County have teamed together to provide preliminary site work for a new business in the park. Construction on the building should commence within the next month.
SDW Engineers is coordinating the site work for the project in conjunction with the site design professional services.
