ISG Names David Doxtad Chief Executive Officer and Advances Andy Brandel to Chief Operating Officer
100% ESOP Builds on Established Leadership to Accelerate Sustainable Growth and Elevate the Client Experience
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MANKATO, Minn., Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ISG, a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, announced that its Board of Directors has appointed David Doxtad, PE, as Chief Executive Officer. Andy Brandel, PE, has been advanced to Chief Operating Officer.
The appointments elevate two established leaders who have played significant roles in shaping ISG’s growth, operations, client relationships, and long-term strategy. Together, Doxtad and Brandel will lead the 100% employee-owned firm as it continues expanding its multidisciplinary practice and serving clients from 20 offices across nine states.
Anchored in its mission, We Exist to Make a Difference, ISG will continue investing in its people and capabilities while delivering a differentiated client experience.
“This is an exciting moment for ISG and its employee owners,” said Doxtad. “We exist to make a difference, and that vision will continue to guide how we lead, how we serve clients, and how we invest in our people and communities. We have the talent, culture, technical capabilities, and geographic reach to become a bigger and better version of who we are today. Our growth will remain disciplined and grounded in our values, ownership mindset, and commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for every client and employee owner.”
Doxtad has served as President of ISG since 2020 and is a member of the firm’s Growth and Strategy Leadership Team. His career began as a civil engineering intern before he joined ISG through an acquisition and advanced through leadership roles that included Civil Engineer, Office Leader, Public Works Business Unit Leader, and President.
Throughout his tenure, Doxtad has helped guide firmwide operations, annual planning, profitability initiatives, strategic acquisitions, and geographic expansion. He has been instrumental in establishing and growing ISG’s Sioux Falls presence and has developed strong relationships throughout South Dakota, Iowa, and the communities ISG serves nationwide.
Brandel’s advancement to COO strengthens the connection between ISG’s strategy and its day-to-day execution. He joined ISG in 2001 as a civil engineering intern and has since served in numerous roles, including Civil Engineer, Office Leader, Business Unit Leader, Vice President, and Executive Vice President.
As Executive Vice President, Brandel has strategically guided ISG’s 12 business units, supported firmwide efforts to win work, strengthened client relationships, and helped identify opportunities to expand the firm’s geographic footprint and service offerings. In 2017, he also contributed to ISG’s transition to a 100% ESOP.
In his new role, Brandel will lead the execution of ISG’s operating strategy across its business units, disciplines, and offices. He will focus on translating firmwide strategy into consistent execution, strengthening coordination across teams, and positioning employee owners where their strengths can have the greatest impact.
The advancement of Doxtad and Brandel reflects ISG’s ownership culture and longstanding commitment to developing leaders from within. Both began their careers as civil engineering interns and progressed through increasingly influential technical, operational, and executive leadership positions.
“ISG has never approached the architecture and engineering industry like a traditional firm,” said Chelsey Paulson, ISG Board member and Vice President of Client Growth at Keystone Group International. “Its employee owners combine technical expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset, a willingness to challenge convention, and a bias toward action. David brings that same spirit to the CEO role. He is competitive, approachable, and deeply focused on performance. This transition brings renewed energy to the organization, and I look forward to seeing how David, Andy, and ISG’s employee owners continue to make an impact in the industry.”
Under its new leadership structure, the firm will pursue opportunities that strengthen its technical and design capabilities, geographic footprint, improve the employee experience, and deepen client relationships. Through a strengths-based culture and shared ownership mentality, ISG is well positioned to continue making a difference in the communities it serves.
About ISG
ISG, a 100% ESOP firm, has a rich history, which extends over 50 years of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with 800+ professionals in offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com.
Media Contact
Abby Gram
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952.426.0699
Abby.Gram@ISGInc.com
