Achen-Gardner Ranks in the Chandler 100

We’re proud to be recognized again as one of City of Chandler’s Top 100 businesses. This is an honor for Achen-Gardner #Construction because our office has been located in the City since the company first started in 1989. For more than three decades, we have been deeply committed to supporting Chandler’s growth and development through the essential infrastructure projects our employee-owners deliver every day.

The Chandler 100 event celebrates the businesses that employ the most people in the City, and this year we were honored to be ranked 35th among them. We’re grateful to stand alongside other impactful companies shaping Chandler’s future that continue to advance the community we all call home.

Check us out on page 22 of the Chandler Chamber’s latest Chandler 100 list.

Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade

Achen-Gardner employee-owners joined in this year’s City of Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade with a radiantly bright and cheery float with lots of snow. We are proud supporters of this November 29 event and the Downtown Tempe community. We were a Sparkling Supporter Sponsor for the Tree Lighting, Boat Parade, and the Street Parade.

The street parade took place along Mill Avenue, which we are refreshing through our Downtown Streetscape Improvements - Mill Avenue, Rio Salado Parkway to University Drive, Phase 2 CMAR project. Our crews worked diligently to prepare the street for safe public use before this holiday event.

Gilbert Days Parade

Achen-Gardner Construction proudly sponsored this year’s Gilbert Days Parade on November 22, where our employee-owners helped spread holiday cheer to the Town of Gilbert community on a festive float. It was a wonderful celebration of local spirit, and we’re grateful to everyone who made the event so memorable! We were also a Banner Sponsor for the Gilbert Days Rodeo.

Giving Back to the City of Mesa

Achen-Gardner donated turkeys to the City of Mesa Engineering Department and United Food Bank’s 17th Annual Turkey Tuesday Drive on November 18. We’re happy to provide food to those who need it the most and give back to the communities we work in.

Our employee-owners are happy to support the City of Mesa. We’ve been working in this City as a local Arizona Contractor for decades, and donating food this holiday season is one way we can support the City and its community.

Touch-A-Truck at Litchfield Elementary School

Achen-Gardner employee-owners had a great time supporting the City of Litchfield Park’s 2025 Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, November 15. We brought two CAT 308 Excavators to help the community learn about Arizona construction. 

This annual event at Litchfield Elementary School invites public and private companies to show kids equipment from different industries. Hundreds of children came with their families to interact with the equipment and receive free swag. 

We enjoy helping communities explore the world of construction. Thank you to all who participated in this event.

Supporting Water Education at the Chandler Water Festival

Our employee-owners were proud to join dozens of volunteers at the 2025 Chandler Water Festival, helping local fourth graders learn about the importance of water conservation and sustainability.

Hosted by the City of Chandler, this annual event engages students in hands-on activities that highlight Arizona’s unique water challenges and the role we all play in preserving this vital resource. As an Arizona wet utility contractor, we understand the importance of reliable access to water. That’s why we’re committed to supporting community education through volunteering and sponsorships at events like the Chandler Water Festival.

We’re proud to be part of a community that values education, sustainability, and partnership in protecting our shared water future.

Celebrating the Reopening of Gazelle Meadows Park

Achen-Gardner was proud to join the City of Chandler officials, members of our project team, and local residents to celebrate the grand reopening of Gazelle Meadows Park. The event marked the completion of significant improvements made as part of our Detroit Basin/Gazelle Meadows Park Storm System and Associated Improvements CMAR project.

Completed in May, the project represents a collaborative effort to enhance both the functionality and enjoyment of this important community space. In addition to storm system upgrades designed to improve local drainage and water management, the revitalized park now features updated amenities that make it a more inviting and sustainable destination for residents.

We want to thank the residents for their patience during construction and hope they enjoy the park’s new features for years to come.

2025 ACEC Conference on Roads and Streets

We attended the 2025 American Council of Engineering Companies Arizona Conference on Roads and Streets at El Conquistador Tucson from September 24-26. Our employee-owners met with project owners, designers, and other friends in the construction industry to talk about how we can continue building better roads for Arizona.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Plan for future growth using AI, like the City of Casa Grande is doing with its Smart City App that keeps people connected to local projects.

• Good communication and creative problem-solving are key. We heard from the Town of Queen Creek about how owners, engineers, and contractors can provide great client service.

• Know the project details and keep everyone informed. Representatives from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community discussed the importance of collaboration as they continue to work on the Pima Road utility and roadway improvements within jurisdictions maintained by multiple agencies.

Thank you to all who stopped by our booth to connect with our employee-owners, take fun swag, and learn about the work we do and the value we bring to our clients. Congratulations to the winners of our grand prizes!

Smith Road is Officially Open!

We’re proud to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the City of Tempe Smith Road Infrastructure CMAR project with Mayor Corey Woods and local community members! Thank you to the City of Tempe, HDR Engineering, and our incredible employee-owners for their hard work and pride in every detail. We also thank the stakeholders who helped shape this community-focused project.

The project included new asphalt paving, fresh landscaping, drainage improvements, beautiful hardscaping, and concrete among other upgrades. This work enhanced the accessibility, safety, and functionality of Smith Road, from Apache Boulevard to University Drive. This critical half-mile street connects to major arterials and accommodates all modes of travel, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Visit the project page to learn more.

Bringing More Value to Every Project

Pictured left to right: Cody Nunez, Ken Kawamoto, Christie Hall, Casey Peery

We are an industry leader in SAVE International (SAVE) Value Methodology and have been incorporating these best practices (internally and externally) for more than a decade. 

We have four employee-owners who are certified Value Methodology Associates (VMAs) through the SAVE organization: Cody Nunez and Casey Peery, Senior Project Managers, Ken Kawamoto, Pre-Construction and Client Services Manager, and Christie Hall, Pre-Construction Manager.

Our VMAs assist project teams by using tools such as cost-benefit analyses and a risk mitigation assessment and management process to ensure that Achen-Gardner projects bring value according to our clients’ needs. They also evaluate project scope and budget details to determine any opportunities to decrease costs while maintaining the full function and scope of the project.

“Having certified VMAs on staff sets us apart because of the function-based, open mindset we bring to projects,” Casey said. “This mindset helps us bring personalized value to each client.”

“Value Methodology takes a look at many factors and how they apply to different stakeholders that will be involved in a project,” Cody said.