In 1965, Gus Pape and Gene Dawson, Sr., established a civil engineering firm with the goal to provide quality services with a high level of integrity. Their core values continue today as Pape-Dawson’s owners and employees remain uncompromised in our dedication to maintain integrity and competence, develop solutions in the best interest of our clients and the public, support and develop our employees and positively contribute to the community.

Pape-Dawson has an extensive resume of successful, high profile projects in the San Antonio, Austin and Houston area. In the early 1980s, the City of San Antonio embarked on the $440 million San Antonio Wastewater Facilities Improvement Program that involved upgrading sanitary sewer lines and building new and expanded wastewater treatment facilities. Pape-Dawson played a lead role, providing project management, planning, design and construction administration.

As the firm continued to grow in the 1980s and early 1990s, this allowed for the addition of outstanding engineers, technicians and office staff. Gene Dawson, Jr., P.E., and Sam Dawson, P.E., assumed their current positions as President and Chief Executive Officer, respectively. The ownership group was further expanded to include additional officers.

Among the large Pape-Dawson projects during this era were the Texas Research Park, SeaWorld of Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Hyatt Hill Country Resort, La Cantera Resort, Dominion, Westover Hills, Retama Park, Quarry Golf Course and Quarry Market Place. We also served as project civil engineer on numerous corporate expansion facilities including Valero Energy, Citicorp, USAA, Capital Group, Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, World Savings and Loan, WorldCom, Clear Channel Communications, Chase Bank and Harcourt Brace.

Pape-Dawson also expanded its scope of services to include transportation and environmental services. Our firm provided the planning and engineering for the Wurzbach Parkway and was part of a design team to prepare plans for the complex Loop 410/US 281 interchange. Pape-Dawson also led a group of consulting firms in designing and providing management oversight for the San Antonio Water System's construction of a water recycling system costing over $100 million. This project provides approximately thirty-five thousand acre-feet of non-potable water for industry and agriculture thus reducing the dependence on the Edwards Aquifer.

Some of Pape-Dawson’s more recent projects include the AT&T Center, SAWS Medio Creek Recycling Center Expansion, Briggs Ranch, Stevens Ranch, Alamo Ranch, Brooks City-Base, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, The Rim, Port San Antonio, US 281 North Feasibility Study, the Shops at La Cantera and the Toyota Tundra Assembly Plant.

In 2005 Pape-Dawson merged with the Austin firm, Huffcut and Associates, Inc., and thereby established its Austin office. In 2007 the firm expanded its San Antonio operation with the acquisition of Overby Descamps Engineers. In September 2009 Pape-Dawson further expanded its geographic service area by establishing an office in Houston.

From a staff of two over 46 years ago, Pape-Dawson now employs more than 200 professionals and has grown into one of the largest and most respected engineering firms in Texas. Although the size has changed, the company continues to serve its clients with the same dedication to integrity, competence, hard work and quality service.