History
G2 Consulting Group (G2) specializes in ‘everything below the ground,’ so it is completely appropriate that the firm started below ground as well. To be more specific, G2 started in Noel Hargrave-Thomas’ basement, where he and fellow founders Mark Smolinski and Bruce Wilberding began to lay out their plans in August 1994. The three co-founders began G2 with a goal to deliver responsive, specialized geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and construction engineering services that would help clients build better, build smarter, and build profits. The firm quickly developed a core of successful clients and outgrew Noel’s basement by the end of that first year. G2 has since expanded to three offices – Troy, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, and Chicagoland, IL – with over 100 team members!
1994
G2 Consulting Group is Born
Bruce, Noel, & Mark start G2 Consulting Group in Noel’s basement providing consulting services for their first client, Nextel Communications. By the end of 1994, G2 moved into its first office in Livonia, MI., hired its first employee, and began developing a core of clients.
1997
New Headquarters Established in Troy
As G2 surpassed 20 team members, it outgrew the Livonia office. The new headquarters located in Troy, Michigan was centrally located for our clientele and was tailored to optimize and expand our services, including an AASHTO Accredited Laboratory to help provide quick, accurate testing results to clients.
2000
Chicago Office Opens
The telecommunication industry began to take off and G2 was along for the ride. With several telecommunication clients located in the Chicago area, we opened our second office in the Chicagoland area to better serve them. Now the Chicago office serves clients all over the nation and across multiple industries.
2001
First Non-Cofounder Becomes Owner
Chris Nicol became a G2 owner in 2001, making him the first non-cofounder to do so. Chris joined the G2 team in 1995 after graduating from Michigan State University and played an instrumental part in opening the G2 Chicago Office.
2006
Brighton Office Opens
Trips to Ann Arbor and Lansing became more frequent for the G2 team as business continued to grow in these cities. G2 opened the Brighton office as a midpoint between Ann Arbor and Lansing to be closer to our clients and to provide a home base to team members living west of the Detroit area.
2013
Ann Arbor Office Opens
The G2 team reached 50 team members and needed to once again expand into a bigger office. Coupled with the fact that G2 was experiencing substantial client and project growth in the Ann Arbor area, the firm decided to transition the Brighton office to Ann Arbor.
2015
G2 Acquires Schleede-Hampton Associates
G2 and Schleede-Hampton had been friendly competitors for years and had considered joining forces for some time. When founder Steve Schleede decided to retire, the acquisition by G2 became official. The eight-person S.H. team expanded G2's capabilities and provided access to important new clients in the automotive and municipal engineering markets.
2019
Celebrate 25th Anniversary
G2 invited team members and clients to celebrate our 25th Anniversary at Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, Michigan. In the 25 years since we opened our doors, G2 grew the team to more than 80 dedicated employees, forged an expansive and loyal client-base, and provided services on literally thousands of projects!
