Simpson & Brown got its start when the Brown brothers brought their experience in waterfront construction to the U.S. from Liverpool, England, in 1671. By 1731 they had started a harborside construction business in Boston. The abundance of fine timber and coastline moorings lured them to the coast of Maine where they built and repaired roads, water lines and docks in addition to constructing buildings.
In 1831 they moved to New York where Cornelius Vanderbilt was financing a construction boom. There, the company established a reputation for quality in the extremely competitive New York/New Jersey waterways construction business. The Brown’s family construction business built bridges, ferry slips, bulkheads, docks, piers and jetties from New York to Philadelphia. At the dawn of the 20th Century, Charles R. Simpson, a Princeton-educated engineer, joined the firm and became President. The company became known as Simpson & Brown, offering deep foundation, and marine & civil construction services, as it still exists today.
Edward Lee became a partner at Simpson & Brown in 2016 and was elected President of the firm in 2018. With more than 25 years of professional experience, Edward has built a career spanning reinforced concrete, pile driving, earthwork, and marine operations. His extensive technical knowledge and leadership have made him a key driver of the company’s continued growth and reputation for excellence.
As President, Edward oversees all aspects of the Heavy Civil Division, coordinating estimating and proposals, project management, and field execution. He plays an active role in business development, working closely with clients and stakeholders to build lasting relationships and deliver successful projects. Beyond project delivery, Edward is deeply involved in the firm’s financial management and long-term strategy, ensuring Simpson & Brown remains competitive in a demanding industry.
A strong advocate for workplace safety, Edward has been instrumental in fostering and maintaining the company’s safety-first culture. His commitment to high standards, teamwork, and integrity continues to shape the future of Simpson & Brown.
A partner at Simpson & Brown since 2016, Erik Reckdenwald brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Throughout his career, he has been involved in every aspect of project delivery across the company’s divisions, gaining a deep understanding of the wide range of work S&B performs.
As Director of the Marine Division, Erik has led numerous high-profile projects including large steel combination walls, monopile installations, pier demolitions, and container terminal wharf modernizations. He works closely with project owners, engineers, field supervisors, and crews to ensure every project is delivered on time and within budget.
