After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University (ISU), Chad Surprenant returned to his hometown of Mankato, Minnesota to begin what would evolve into a 29+ year career at ISG –an architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm that was founded by his father, Ken Surprenant. Throughout the early years of his career, Chad assumed increased management responsibilities that lead to the firm’s growth and adoption of additional services.
Since appointed President and CEO in 2001 and Chief Strategy Officer in 2020, Chad has continued to lead the firm to significant internal and external expansion through tactical mergers and acquisitions. Today, ISG has 11 offices with over 500employees, serves clients across the nation, and maintains meaningful relationship swith communities, including numerous throughout Iowa.
All through his career, Chad was consistently aware of agriculture's entrenchment across every facet of the region, identifying that a large portion of ISG's services directly serve farmers and rural landowners, with an even larger percentage influenced by agriculture. Chad's notable contributions to the architecture, engineering, construction,and agriculture industries have attributed to numerous recognitions and awards. Recently, Chad and his wife, Tara, were recognized as Iowa State University’s Emerging Philanthropist Award recipients for their gift of the Surprenant Ingenuity Lab to the ISU’s Design Center.
Throughout the years, Chad has served in several education, business, and non-profit organizations, holding various member and leadership roles. A passionate community advocate, Chad continuously looks for new opportunities to drive positive changes that strengthen the cultural, recreational, social, and economic vitality of the communities served by ISG.