‘Our people come first’: Pettigrew & Associates ranks No. 3 in Top Workplaces small category

For Pettigrew & Associates President and CEO Debra Hicks, leading a team of engineers means trusting them with serious responsibilities, but it’s something she does daily without hesitation.

That environment of trust is why Pettigrew & Associates is among New Mexico’s Top Workplaces once again, ranking No. 3 in the small company category for 2025.

The Hobbs-based engineering firm, founded in 1965, offers its 60 employees benefits including a comprehensive medical, dental and vision package, 17 days of vacation and observed holidays, eight days of paid sick leave and a fitness allowance.

The following is an excerpt from an interview with Hicks. It has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Pettigrew & Associates has once again been named a Top Workplace. What does this recognition mean to you?

For a long time, we’ve said that our people come first, and truly, this is recognition that we do put our employees, our people, our team members first. It really validates the fact that we’re building an environment of trust and respect, as well as personal growth.

What are some of the lessons and experiences that have shaped how you lead your company?

One of my very good lessons happened when I was on a construction project. The contractor was shy a couple people, and they weren’t able to man certain components of the construction, and so I put a halt to the project. My father was in another state at a conference. The manager of the construction company came roaring out, throwing up all sorts of dust, and saying, ‘What the heck do you think you’re doing shutting down the project?’ And so my father called and said, ‘You know what? We’ll talk about it when I get back home.’

I learned, then and there, that people grow within your corporation, and they become equipped as they gain more experience. I place my trust in those people. If a person has risen to a management position, they are equipped to make the decisions. So I equip and empower them to make the decisions, and I trust their decisions.

In a town far from the state’s major urban areas, what is your approach to attracting and retaining talent?

Our most successful approach is that we’re raising our own. We have on staff right now anywhere between five and 10 interns (who) are high school and college students. Every year we bring those (people) in.

The most important thing is that we are a professional association. They are going to be well equipped to sit for the licensing exams. They’re going to have a variety of projects and a variety of clients.

Oftentimes, and I’m not saying this is true always, but oftentimes, when you go to work for a much larger company, you might stay in just transportation for quite a long time. Our team members are going to get a broad perspective of what engineering looks like.