About Us
Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE), a Michigan-based firm, specializes in civil engineering, land surveying and land planning services for both public and private clients. Since our inception in 1969, NFE has successfully provided professional services to several thousand clients and has been honored numerous awards.
At NFE, we know long-term relationships are the foundation of our success. Our talented staff of 88+ team members is dedicated to the development and maintenance of client relations. Using a wealth of in-house knowledge and expertise, we are able to tackle even the most challenging design projects for our clients.
What we Believe
Our Vision
Our vision is to build an elite workforce to allow us to expand upon our great reputation so we may become the premier professional services provider in the Great Lakes region. We will lead the industry in providing uncompromised value driven quality, steadfast reliability and outstanding client experiences. We aim to be the catalysis of transformation through the continued professional growth of our employees and the adoption of emerging technologies.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is to provide best value solutions to our clients through a creative, thoughtful and innovative approach. The team members who make up our firm are committed to effectively managing project and company resources while working in a collaborative environment to meet the unique needs of our clients.
Our Values
The foundation of our company is based on a set of core values that guide everything we do:
Design efficiency - We streamline the design process and improve our time and efficiency in delivering work to our clients without sacrificing quality.
Innovation - We deliver value-based solutions for our clients and explore new ideas and technologies, encourage creativity and look to pioneer new ways forward for the industry.
Consistency - We provide consistent high-quality service, ensuring that our clients view us as a reliable go-to professional services consultant.
Integrity - We are honest and transparent with our clients, team members and business partners. Our word is our most valuable asset, and we uphold our commitment to our professional code of ethics.
Collaboration - We work as a cohesive team by pooling our knowledge, resources and diversity of thought to create innovative solutions for our clients.
Development - We are committed to the continued professional growth of our team members allowing them to work to their full potential and engage in projects that make a lasting impact on their careers, as well as in the communities we serve.
Our Mission
Our mission is to leverage emerging technologies, quality resources and expert staff through a sustainable and value driven approach to assist our clients in achieving their goals and visions while providing a positive impact in the communities we live and work
Our vision is to build an elite workforce to allow us to expand upon our great reputation so we may become the premier professional services provider in the Great Lakes region. We will lead the industry in providing uncompromised value driven quality, steadfast reliability and outstanding client experiences. We aim to be the catalysis of transformation through the continued professional growth of our employees and the adoption of emerging technologies.
Our philosophy is to provide best value solutions to our clients through a creative, thoughtful and innovative approach. The team members who make up our firm are committed to effectively managing project and company resources while working in a collaborative environment to meet the unique needs of our clients.
The foundation of our company is based on a set of core values that guide everything we do:
Design efficiency - We streamline the design process and improve our time and efficiency in delivering work to our clients without sacrificing quality.
Innovation - We deliver value-based solutions for our clients and explore new ideas and technologies, encourage creativity and look to pioneer new ways forward for the industry.
Consistency - We provide consistent high-quality service, ensuring that our clients view us as a reliable go-to professional services consultant.
Integrity - We are honest and transparent with our clients, team members and business partners. Our word is our most valuable asset, and we uphold our commitment to our professional code of ethics.
Collaboration - We work as a cohesive team by pooling our knowledge, resources and diversity of thought to create innovative solutions for our clients.
Development - We are committed to the continued professional growth of our team members allowing them to work to their full potential and engage in projects that make a lasting impact on their careers, as well as in the communities we serve.
Timeline
Nowak and Fraus through time.
Harold Nowak and Jim Fraus form Nowak & Fraus, PLLC with their first office on Dewey Street in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Spanning 50 years, NFE has provided services on over 150 projects in the Golden Corridor (Big Beaver Road from Coolidge Highway to John R.) in Troy, Michigan.
For 50 years, NFE has worked on the development of many major office buildings in Southfield, Michigan, including Lear Corporation Headquarters.
Since the 1970’s, NFE has provided site design services on over 100 industrial/office buildings for the General Development Company.
Jim Fraus becomes President of NFE.
Nowak & Fraus’ annual income exceeds $1 million.
NFE is selected as the Municipal Engineer to the City of Madison Heights and still provides engineering services to the City today.
Spanning 40 years, NFE has worked on the Pine Knob development which includes the music theater, parking facilities, and all of the surrounding residential developments.
NFE is selected as the Municipal Engineer to the City of Huntington Woods and still serves the City in that capacity today.
Due to growth, NFE moves to 1310 N. Stephenson Highway in Royal Oak, Michigan.
NFE acquires the assets of Hoyem-Basso Associates together with the assets of their predecessor firms of McAlpine Engineering and Arthur W. Gillespie Associates.
NFE is selected as the Municipal Engineer to the City of Hazel Park and still provides services to the City today in that capacity.
NFE is the site design engineer for the Palace of Auburn Hills. Unfortunately, the doors closed in the fall of 2017 when the new stadium was built in Detroit.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to the City of Pontiac and today still provides engineering services to the City.
Headquartered in Royal Oak, NFE opens an office in Pontiac.
Spanning 25 years, NFE has worked on the City of Pontiac’s Centerpoint Business Complex, formerly owned by GM.
Spanning 20 years, NFE has provided services to over 74 local school districts.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to the City of Birmingham and still provides consulting services to the City today.
The NFE Pontiac office moves to a new building at 46777 Woodward Avenue and holds its first annual Woodward Dream Cruise Party.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to the City of Royal Oak and today still provides engineering services to the City.
NFE is selected as Consultant Engineer to York Township and still serves the Township today in that capacity.
NFE is selected as Consultant Engineer to the Village of Oxford and still provides services to the Village today.
The firm’s name changes to Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE).
Rob Lavoie is appointed President after Jim Fraus retires.
NFE closes its Royal Oak office and consolidates all employees into the Pontiac office.
NFE is selected as Consultant Engineer to West Bloomfield Township and still provides engineering services to the Township today.
NFE obtains an ISID contact with the State of Michigan; and since that time, has regularly assisted many state departments (DTMB, MSP, DOC and DNR) with their important projects.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to the City of Rochester Hills and still provides services to the City today in that capacity.
President Rob Lavoie retires; Chad Findley, Tim Germain, and Jeff Huhta are named as Managing Partners.
NFE opens a Detroit office to better serve its clients and future clients doing work in the City.
NFE celebrates their 50th anniversary.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to Independence Township and still provides consulting services to the City today.
Bruce Van Doorn Sr., achieves 50 years of service with Nowak & Fraus. It is remarkable that any individual could achieve such a milestone.
Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks) during their awarded Sterling Height Parks and Recreation won an award for Dodge Park and MDNR won an award for Wilderness State Park.
NFE is selected as Consulting Engineer to the City of Lake Orion.
In June 2021, NFE promoted several team members for their hard work and contributions to the firm, Brad Brickel, Jason Longhurst and Steve Sutton were promoted to Principal.
Our Macomb office moves to a more central location.
Our History
Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE) was established in 1969 to provide civil engineering, land surveying and consulting services, within the Southeast Michigan area. Our firm’s roots are based in the merger of several companies including: Urban Engineering Services (formed earlier by Harold Nowak and Jim Fraus), Hoyem-Basso Associates, Inc., McAlpine Engineering, Inc. and Arthur W. Gillespie Associates. McAlpine Engineering and Gillespie Associates were two of the oldest firms in the Detroit/Southeast Michigan area, at the time.
Over our history of operation, NFE has evolved into one of the premier engineering consulting firms, in the region. Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, we have performed work in nearly every community in Southeast Michigan. We serve in the capacity of consulting engineer to ten municipalities, with the average years of continuous service being 20. We pride ourselves on being able to assist each community with the necessary steps to improve the quality of life for their residents.
Within the last 10 years, our reach has spread to include every region of Michigan, as well as, nationally - to multiple states, from the east coast to California, as well as north and south. While always keeping our client’s and governmental agency’s needs and goals foremost.
Harold Nowak and Jim Fraus founded the firm in 1969, which is now headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan