Houston, Texas – September 22, 2025 – C E Group, Inc. (CEG), a respected, multi-disciplinary land development firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has merged with LJA Engineering, Inc. (LJA), one of the nation’s fastest growing multi-discipline engineering firms. CEG will operate under the LJA brand, bringing nearly 40 employees into LJA’s nationwide team of professionals.
Founded in 1998 by principals Mark Ashness, PE, ASLA, and Joe Faulkner, RLA, ASLA, CEG has built a strong reputation across North Carolina for providing land surveying, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services on hundreds of projects, including many high-profile developments. Mark, Joe, and Mitch Craig, PE, will continue leading the CEG team as it integrates into LJA and expands its presence in North Carolina.
“This is not a step away from who we are – it’s an opportunity to do more of what we do best,” said Mark Ashness, Principal of CEG. “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.”
This merger strengthens LJA’s presence in North Carolina, expanding its geographic reach and capacity while enhancing the firm’s ability to serve shared clients and new markets.
“C E Group is a great fit with LJA – their expertise, reputation, and culture align well with ours,” said James Ross, PE, President and CEO of LJA. “By combining LJA’s national reach with C E Group’s local expertise, we are strengthening our capacity to provide comprehensive services and better serve our clients. This merger lays the foundation for our continued growth and success in the region.”
About LJA Engineering, Inc.
With more than 50 years of experience and nearly 100 offices across the U.S., LJA has established itself as a national leader in engineering, planning, survey, and environmental services, particularly in land development, transportation, public works, rail, energy, and telecom. The firm’s employee-owned structure, with over 3,000 employee-owners, fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, which drive its continued success.
Contact: Donya Edler
Director of Marketing, LJA Engineering
dedler@lja.com
www.lja.com
