Garver welcomes Venier as new National Private Sector Leader

Garver’s Water Team continues to grow with the addition of Jason Venier, PE, as National Private Sector Leader. Venier brings over 30 years of experience in business development and client service management with public and private sector water, wastewater and environmental clients.

Based in Garver’s Houston office, Venier will help grow Garver’s footprint in both new and existing markets, expanding the firm’s water and wastewater capabilities and services to municipal, county, and private clients nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to our team,” said Garver Director of Water Services Jeff Sober. “His extensive experience in both business development and client service management will be invaluable as we expand our footprint and venture into new markets. He’s the right person at the right time, and his proven track record and ability to foster strong industry relationships align perfectly with our vision for growth."

At his previous firm, where Venier spent his entire -year career, he was in charge of business development in Pennsylvania and Southeast Texas. He is now looking forward to taking on a larger national role at Garver, working with water clients in both the public and private sector. He said that both public and private water clients are facing similar challenges like aging infrastructure, water supply, PFAS and lead service line replacements. “There are some untapped markets that are right in Garver’s wheelhouse,” he said.

Venier also brings extensive experience in collaborative delivery methods, including design-build, progressive design-build, and construction management at risk. In his previous role, he often linked up with contractors and served as the design arm of the contracting team. With the relationships he built, he believes he can expand these services at Garver.

In addition, Venier aims to grow program management services. This involves not only design and construction management services but working closely with clients, sometimes as an extension of their staff establishing strong, crucial relationships with key stakeholders including staff, directors, and local officials.

Venier earned a BS in environmental science from State University of New York at Plattsburgh and, at the urging of a professor, went on to pursue a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Clarkson University —forgoing a full- ride to another institution to become a professional engineer. He found satisfaction in environmental work and loved being out in the field, knowing that his efforts to clean up the land, air, and water were making a meaningful difference on quality of life.

Venier was hired straight out of school, working as a construction quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) inspector overseeing a large remediation project for an industrial client. Early in his career, he transitioned from a technical role into project management and from there into business development where he found his true calling.

Though Venier has enjoyed a long, rewarding career, he was professionally and personally ready for the next chapter and a new challenge. He and his wife have a blended family with five children, with one high school age son living at home. “It felt like the right time both personally and professionally and Garver felt like the right choice!”

“Garver is a fast-growing and reputable firm, and I wanted to be a part of that. As a top 100 Design Firm and one of the best companies in the country, we have a big opportunity to tap into new markets,” said Venier. That’s really exciting to me. I’m also at the point in my life where I want to able to mentor others, which is a big part of Garver’s culture.”

Venier also liked that Garver is employee-owned, has a depth of resources, and offers autonomy to its employees. But perhaps most important to Venier? Surrounding himself with good people. “That's been the key to my success my entire career.”