DuBois Consultants Inc., the only minority-owned engineering design firm in Wichita, will celebrate 20 years in the city this month.
The Kansas City, Missouri-based civil and structural engineering firm will host an anniversary happy hour April 16, bringing together clients, partners and community leaders to recognize two decades of work in Wichita.
How DuBois Got Its Start In Wichita
The firm opened its Wichita office in 2006 after being encouraged by a Kansas City partner, CDM, a national engineering firm DuBois frequently worked with. CDM, which had a strong presence in Wichita, was looking to partner with a minority firm on local projects and invited DuBois to consider expanding into the market.
That introduction gave DuBois a starting point — but turning that opportunity into sustained work would take more than a single partnership.
DuBois built its presence by delivering quality work, meeting deadlines and proving itself as a reliable project partner.
But getting additional opportunities required something more.
Founder Ajamu Webster said early success depended less on policy and more on understanding how business was done locally — where trust often had to be established before work followed.
That led to one of his first and most important decisions: hiring Jennifer Brehon — his first Wichita employee — who, 20 years later, remains the firm’s anchor in the city.
With deep roots in the community and connections that stretched across City Hall, engineering firms and local leadership, Brehon helped introduce DuBois to the right people and position the company for early opportunities.
Over time, those introductions turned into contracts — and then into repeat work and sustained relationships.
Her impact has been widely recognized. Brehon has received the Wichita Business Journal’s Diversity and Inclusion Award two consecutive years for her advocacy and efforts to expand opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
She was appointed by former Mayor Brandon Whipple to the City of Wichita’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and now serves on a committee helping guide the city’s transition to a race-neutral program expected to focus more on business size.
Building a Wichita Project Portfolio
DuBois’ work extends beyond the city’s water and wastewater operations to projects for Sedgwick County, USD 259 and private development.
DuBois has worked on the Jabara Airport taxiway expansion, the design and construction of the Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services Central facility, and improvements at the Cowtown Museum, including its new welcome and administrative center.
The firm also partnered with McAfee3 Architecture on USD 259 projects approved under a recent bond program, contributing to the design and construction of Jackson and Buckner elementary schools.
Its housing-related work includes both private development and major public housing efforts. DuBois participated in the City of Wichita’s public housing redevelopment program, providing site analysis and construction cost estimates for the renovation of several Wichita Housing Authority senior housing facilities, including Greenway Manor, McLean Manor, Rosa Gragg Senior Units and Bernice Hutchinson Senior Units.
The firm has also contributed to major water infrastructure projects, including work at the Northwest Water Treatment Facility and wastewater treatment plant improvements, such as Biological Nutrient Removal projects designed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the Arkansas River by more than 79% and 80%, respectively.
The project, which broke ground in 2024, will also help reduce odors associated with the plant and expand capacity to support regional growth.
A Leadership Transition Built on Continuity
In 2021, Webster sold the company to Cervente Sudduth, a former DuBois engineer who had spent years with the firm earlier in his career.
Webster said the decision was intentional — choosing someone who understood the company’s culture, its work and the relationships that had been built over time, rather than selling to an outside firm unfamiliar with the market.
Sudduth had grown within DuBois before leaving to gain broader industry experience. When Webster began planning his exit, Sudduth returned, stepping into ownership after preparing to take on the role and positioning the company for its next phase of growth.
Today, DuBois continues to expand its capabilities while maintaining a steady presence in Wichita, with Brehon still leading its efforts in the local market.
Celebrating 20 Years
The April 16 celebration will bring together many of the partners, clients and collaborators who have worked with DuBois over the past two decades — a reflection of the connections that helped build the firm’s presence in Wichita.
