History

Milton Chazen, P.E., L.S. founded the company as Milton Chazen Associates in 1937. He was the sole proprietor and provided engineering and land surveying services. He started his business in Danbury, CT and was the City’s designated engineer. One of Milton’s many accomplishments included designing the Danbury Airport. Then in 1939 Milton was called to serve in WWII as Lt. J.G. in the C.E.C. of the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to various Seabee Battalions. While serving, Milton continued to practice by working on the construction of the naval operation base in Argentina, New Foundland, the construction of airports and other facilities in Maui, Hawaii and on airport and port facilities in the Philippines. At the commencement of the war Milton was commanding officer of the 30th Naval Construction Battalion Base in Peking, China. He was called to serve again during the Korean War and earned the rank of Captain. Even though Milton was away for those years, his diverse, cross-functional accomplishments while serving contributed to the strong foundation of Chazen.

In 1947, Milton reactivated Milton Chazen Associates in a basement on Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie, NY and continued to offer engineering and land surveying services.

Since then, Chazen continued to grow and prosper with additional team members joining the firm.

In 1986, Richard Chazen, P.E. and Daniel Stone, P.E. became Co-Presidents and created The Chazen Companies. The new company included four separate businesses: Chazen Engineering, Land Surveying Co., Enviroplan, CSW Data Systems and Chazen Environmental Services. Richard and Dan created a significant expansion and diversification in services provided. Over the years, they expanded the service offerings to include Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental & Safety Consulting, Construction Services and Transportation Planning & Traffic Engineering for a multitude of market sectors.

Milton continued to work until he died on March 16, 2002 a day before his 87th birthday.