News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Washington, DC, June 15, 2026—Award-winning program management and advisory firm Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) has been recognized as one of North America’s fastest-growing firms serving the built environment, earning the No. 17 spot on Zweig Group’s 2026 Hot Firm List.
The recognition comes amid a period of transformational growth for B&D, beginning with significant gains in its core sectors, including higher education, K-12, municipal and sports venues. That was followed by a strategic private equity investment from Bernhard Capital Partners (BCP) in June 2024 that positioned B&D as the anchor of BCP’s Institutional Project Management platform.
The firm’s further growth was fueled by its foundational acquisition of Project Management Advisors (PMA) in December 2025, which significantly expanded B&D’s national footprint, sector expertise, and multidisciplinary advisory capabilities. This was the first of what is expected to be a very active period of M&A for the firm.
“Being recognized on this list reflects both the momentum of our organization and the trust our clients place in us to help deliver their most important projects,” said B&D Chairman Paul Brailsford. “The PMA acquisition was transformative, as the combined organization provides a significantly strengthened foundation upon which we will continue to add capabilities that make us more valuable to our clients. As we further scale, our platform will address the needs of clients across a broader range of industries critical to our nation’s economy, through capabilities relevant to the project lifecycle and beyond.”
“The firms recognized through the Hot Firm Award have demonstrated what is possible when strong leadership, strategic decision-making, and a commitment to excellence come together,” said Chad Clinehens, president and CEO of Zweig Group. “These firms are not only growing, they are helping shape the future of the AEC industry. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments.”
Winners will be celebrated at the 2026 ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala in Park City, Utah. Go here to view the full list.
For more information:
Doug Kotlove, SVP
Marketing & Business Development
