Principals Mark Ashness, PE, ASLA, and Joe Faulkner, RLA, ASLA started CE Group in 1998 and built a reputable firm offering land surveying, civil engineering and landscape architecture services across North Carolina. In fact, CE Group has been delivering services at MOSAIC at Chatham Park since the development was just a vision and has an office on-campus.
In September 2025, CE Group merged with Houston-based LJA Engineering, Inc. (LJA), one of the nation’s fastest growing multi-disciplined firms, adding 40 new professionals to LJA’s team.
“This is not a step away from who we are – it’s an opportunity to do more of what we do best,” says Ashness. “By teaming up with LJA, we now have more personnel, resources and multi-disciplinary expertise at our disposal. This means we can take on larger projects and deliver more value to our clients while keeping the same quality and personal attention they know and trust.”
LJA works in the following sectors: Land Development, Surveying, Transportation, Public Works, Environmental Services, Energy, Railroad Services and LJA Telecom.
Here’s the highlights of what LJA brings to the table:
- 53 years in the business
- 3,000+ employee-owners
- $650M+ in revenue
- 100% employee owned
- #52 in Engineering News-Record Top 500
- 80+ offices in 12 states
Merging with LJA enabled positive changes:
- A more diversified, multi-disciplinary, larger company, resulting in less risk
- More career opportunities for employees
- Additional training opportunities for employees
- Greater depth and range of services for clients
- Expanded benefits and employee-ownership
During the transition, Ashness assured his team and CE Group’s clients that important aspects would remain the same, like the company’s leadership, clients and projects, and work culture, including its entrepreneurial nimbleness and fun, family-focused approach.
One thing is certain – as LJA, Ashness and Faulkner ensure the firm continues delivering unmatched service to clients and growth opportunities to employees.
