Broadbent & Associates, Inc. (Broadbent) is positioning itself for continued growth in 2026 by maintaining a culture-driven approach while expanding its technical capabilities throughout the Southwest and beyond. According to President Randy Miller, the company’s long-term success has been rooted in a simple philosophy: invest in people, maintain technical credibility and remain independent.
Broadbent Principal Engineer and President Randy Miller sat down with BEX to discuss the company’s history, growth, environmental consulting trends and the future of responsible development throughout Nevada and the greater Southwest.
Company History
Broadbent was founded in Boulder City, NV, in 1987 by Bob Broadbent. His approach to leadership was shaped heavily by both his upbringing and his early experiences in consulting.
Bob’s father, Robert Broadbent, served as Boulder City’s first mayor and later held several influential leadership positions throughout Nevada, including Clark County commissioner; Director of the Las Vegas Valley Water District; Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation under the U.S. Department of the Interior, and director of McCarran International Airport, now Harry Reid International Airport.
of Broadbent & Associates, Inc. Credit: Broadbent & Associates, Inc.
After studying geological engineering and hydrology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Bob Broadbent entered the consulting field in Las Vegas and began developing his own philosophy on how a company should operate.
“Bob believed that if you respected employees, challenged them professionally and took care of clients, people would stay and grow with the company,” Miller said. “Nearly 40 years later, that philosophy is still the foundation of who we are.”
Broadbent Operations and Identity
Broadbent is an environmental, water resource and civil engineering consulting firm whose services generally fall into three major categories: due diligence, compliance and remediation.
The company frequently assists with environmental due diligence during property transfers and development activities, including contamination assessments, cultural resource evaluations and permitting support. Broadbent also helps clients maintain compliance with environmental regulations and provides remediation services designed to restore impacted environments safely and responsibly.
Over the years, the company has expanded into a broad range of technical specialties across mining, energy, industrial operations, emergency response and water resource management.
“We’ve built a wide range of capabilities that allow us to support clients through a project’s lifecycle,” Miller said. “From due diligence and permitting to remediation, emergency response, and long-term compliance, we’re able to help clients solve complex environmental challenges.”
Broadbent also works closely with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and supports the agency with several important initiatives. Miller said those relationships provide the firm with valuable insight into Nevada’s regulatory environment while helping clients navigate increasingly complex environmental requirements.
“Our teams understand both the technical science and the regulatory process,” Miller said. “That allows us to help clients move projects forward responsibly while maintaining strong environmental stewardship.”
Remaining Independent
One of the company’s defining characteristics is its commitment to remaining independently owned.
Many environmental consulting firms of similar size have been acquired by large engineering conglomerates or private equity-backed organizations. Broadbent has intentionally chosen a different path.
“We get approached all the time, and we’re just not interested in doing that,” Miller said. “You can’t come in and change the culture and expect the organization to perform the same way.”
Miller said independence allows Broadbent to make long-term decisions that prioritize employees, client relationships and technical quality rather than short-term financial pressures.
“Remaining independent gives us the flexibility to invest in our people, maintain our standards and continue building the company the right way,” he said.
The employee-owned company currently has approximately 170 employees across 11 offices throughout the United States, including a strong Nevada presence with approximately 95 employees based in the state.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is how many people choose to build long careers here,” Miller said. “We have employees who have spent decades with the company because they’ve had opportunities to grow professionally, lead meaningful work and develop genuine friendships along the way.”
2025 Growth and Expansion
For Broadbent, 2025 represented the strongest year in company history. The firm met its growth objectives while continuing to expand its technical services and geographic footprint.
During the year, Broadbent expanded services into nine additional states and saw significant growth in mining, geothermal, industrial and emergency response work.
A major focus has been the continued development of the company’s Emergency Services Network, which allows Broadbent to rapidly deploy personnel and resources in response to environmental releases and other emergency situations.
“People in this industry are doers. They like rolling up their sleeves, solving problems and helping clients work through difficult situations.” Miller said.
The company is also seeing increased opportunities in geothermal and energy-related development throughout the region.
“We’re seeing significant growth in geothermal and energy-related projects throughout the Southwest,” Miller said. “Those industries are becoming increasingly important as states work to balance economic growth, domestic energy production and environmental responsibility.”
Southwest Environmental Outlook
Miller believes water resource management will continue to define the future of the Southwest for decades to come.
Nevada currently leads the Colorado River Basin states in water reclamation and reuse, recycling approximately 85% of treated wastewater. Miller believes other states throughout the region will increasingly invest in similar infrastructure as water scarcity challenges continue.
“Water is going to continue defining the future of the Southwest,” Miller said. “Population growth, energy development, environmental protection and long-term water sustainability all have to be balanced thoughtfully.”
Miller said that throughout his career he has been encouraged by how industrial operators approach development and their commitment to environmental protection. “Our clients take environmental protection very seriously. They want to do things the right way and leave a good legacy behind,” Miller said. He added that the industry often sees success in preservation and remediation that rarely receives public attention.
Innovations that reduce environmental impacts are happening across many industries. Mining, for example, existed long before modern environmental regulations, but the industry has continued to evolve its practices and technologies to meet changing standards. As regulations have advanced, so have efforts focused on remediation, reclamation and long-term environmental protection.
He added that environmental consulting has evolved far beyond traditional compliance work.
“Environmental consulting today is no longer just about compliance,” Miller said. “It’s about helping industries, communities and governments develop responsibly in a resource-constrained environment.”
Miller also praised the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for maintaining a collaborative approach while balancing economic development and environmental protection.
“Thoughtful regulations provide a foundation for what’s acceptable and help create common ground,” he said.
Culture, Leadership and Long-Term Vision
Miller himself reflects Broadbent’s emphasis on long-term employee development. He joined the company in 1993 and worked his way from field staff to President.
“When people spend this many years working together, strong relationships and friendships naturally develop, and I think that’s a big part of what makes this place special.”
Broadbent places strong emphasis on safety training, professional development and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Employees regularly complete advanced OSHA and Mine Safety and Health Administration training programs, among other certifications.
The company’s leadership team also plays an important role in maintaining continuity across its growing geographic footprint.
“We’ve got a very strong group of leaders across the company. Honestly, any one of them could sit in my seat, and that’s one of the things that gives me confidence about where we’re headed.”
Looking Ahead
As Broadbent continues expanding into new markets and technical sectors, Miller said the company remains focused on maintaining the principles that shaped its success from the beginning.
“There are always going to be environmental challenges, especially in a growing region like the Southwest. We want to continue helping clients and communities find practical solutions that protect the environment while supporting responsible development,” he said.
He added that preserving the company’s independence, technical integrity and employee-focused culture remains central to Broadbent’s future.
“We’ve worked hard to build something special here, and my goal is to make sure we continue growing without losing what made the company successful in the first place,” he said.
