Sparling

Chairman and CEO: Jim Duncan

Specialty: Electrical engineering, technology consulting

Year founded: 1947

2002 revenues: $13.6 million

2003 revenues: $14 million

Largest project in 2003: Sacred Heart Medical Center, Springfield, Ore.

Coming out of the recession, Sparling has focused on two areas of strength: health care and biotech, according to Chairman and CEO Jim Duncan.

One of Sparling’s most important health care projects is Harborview Medical Center. “It’s a very exciting project, because of the technical applications and the importance of clean and safe power systems for hospitals,” Duncan said.

Other prominent projects for Sparling are electrical consulting on Bellevue Performing Arts Center and the University of Washington Bioengineering Building. Duncan said the UW Bioengineering project, as well as the Pavilion for Women and Children at Providence Everett Medical Center, were instrumental in getting the Harborview job.

Sparling’s staff size is 115 — about equal with last year’s level. Duncan said he expects to be adding staff in 2004. The firm will open an office in Portland in February, in response to additional work there.

Sparling has six major projects in Oregon, including Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield. “We’re opening this office to expand our market in that area for new clients, and to serve existing clients,” he said.

Looking ahead, Duncan said he expects 2004 to be a better year than recent. He noted he has seen a pick-up in request for qualifications in recent months.

Meantime, he said more of his staff is becoming LEED certified. So far, 16 members are LEED qualified. “We’re responding to how many projects are focused on sustainable design solutions,” he said.