Second-year collaboration strengthens mentorship and business development opportunities for emerging firms in Washington’s transportation industry.
SEATTLE (March 23, 2026) – HNTB announces Furtado & Associates as the 2026 partner for its Washington-based Partners Program, a mentorship initiative that develops and empowers historically underutilized businesses in the transportation industry.
The HNTB Partners Program provides structured mentoring, workshops and networking opportunities that help small and emerging firms strengthen operations, expand capabilities and pursue new opportunities in the infrastructure sector. Through the program, participants gain direct access to HNTB leaders and subject matter experts who provide guidance on key business areas, including project delivery, operations, leadership and strategic growth.
After a successful inaugural year in Washington, the program continues to strengthen industry partnerships and create pathways for small businesses to scale and compete in the infrastructure market.
HNTB’s Angela Battle
“Programs like this help create pathways for small businesses to grow and thrive in the transportation industry,” said Angela Battle, director of small business partnerships at HNTB. “We’re excited to partner with Furtado & Associates and provide mentorship, resources and industry connections that support its continued growth and success.”
Since 1983, Furtado & Associates has provided consulting engineering services from its headquarters in Seattle. Originally founded as Lin & Associates, the firm adopted the name Furtado & Associates in 2021. The company specializes in land surveying, civil engineering, geographic information systems mapping, construction management and advanced technologies such as drone photogrammetry and 3D LiDAR scanning. The firm supports infrastructure projects throughout Washington, working with agencies including Sound Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle and regional counties.
Through the HNTB Partners Program, Furtado & Associates will participate in training sessions, workshops and mentorship opportunities designed to strengthen operational processes, leadership development and business strategy. The collaboration will also create opportunities to build stronger industry relationships and explore new project opportunities across the region.
“We are very excited to deepen our relationship with HNTB through the Partners Program in Washington,” said Joshua Cheatham, PE, president and CEO of Furtado & Associates. “The opportunity to collaborate with HNTB leaders and experts will help us strengthen our operations as we continue to expand our services and deliver innovative infrastructure solutions across the region.”
The HNTB Partners Program reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting the growth and long-term success of small businesses in the transportation industry. By connecting emerging firms with experienced industry leaders and resources, the program helps strengthen the broader infrastructure ecosystem while creating lasting partnerships.