Larkin Group firm adopts new name

Larkin Group Consulting Engineers Inc., which has offices in Springfield and Overland Park, Kan., adopted the name Affinis Corp. effective July 1.

According to a company announcement, "affinis" is Latin for "relationship."

"No matter where we go, we distinguish ourselves by the relationships we build, said Rick Worrel, president of Affinis. "For us, solid relationships go hand-in-hand with high-quality engineering services."

Affinis engineers recently completed renovation of the 100-year-old Jefferson Avenue Footbridge. Other ongoing projects for the firm include the 2004 residential streets program for Overland Park, Kan., the 2003 street reconstruction program for Prairie Village, Kan., and Phase IV storm drainage improvements for the Aviation Department of Kansas City.

When Larkin Group reorganized into separate operating companies 18 months ago, the transportation group maintained its ties to Larkin Associates, the original consulting engineering firm, and its 50-plus year history in the Kansas City area.

"It also makes sense to take this step today to distinguish ourselves in the marketplace and the workplace," said Worrel.

According to the SBJ's 2002 Book of Lists, the local office of Larkin Group has two registered engineers and a total of staff of five. Brad Tate is the top local executive.