The Colinas Group Offers Personalized Engineering and Environmental Consulting Services
When Charles Freed and Mark Stephens wanted to provide more personalized service to their clients, they decided there was only one way to accomplish that goal. They decided to start their own engineering and environmental services consulting company.
“The vision in starting The Colinas Group (TCG) was our availability to personally work on projects. To maintain direct control over projects and more effectively manage projects,” said Matt Mouncey, a Principal Consultant and Co-Owner with the employee-owned firm. “We wanted a firm that, when a client had a question or needed assistance, they could contact us directly as we are the ones working on the project.”
That was 1998. Since then, the company has expanded beyond Lakeland, where it employs eight people. It has opened offices in Sarasota and Orlando, said Mouncey, a licensed environmental professional with 30 years of experience.
The company name has a special meaning.
“We chose the Spanish ‘Colinas,’ which means hills in English. The name ‘The Colinas Group’ provided us with a unique name and still paid homage to our roots in Lakeland,” Mouncey said.
About the Colinas Group
TCG focuses on civil engineering, hydrogeology, geology, hydrology and environmental engineering. Its mission statement says, “We will provide high-quality, responsive service to our clients in a timely and cost-conscious manner. Our ability to provide quality-oriented services to our clients is demonstrated by our long-term relationships with our clients and our record of repeat business. TCG combines engineering and scientific disciplines. Along with common sense and a practical approach, we develop cost-effective solutions that are accepted by industry and federal, state and local environmental regulatory agencies.”
Mouncey was an employee with the group from 2010 to 2014. He left for a time and then rejoined the company in 2018. He and Stephens, who work out of the Lakeland office, decided the company should become investors in the Central Florida Development Council in mid-2025. This decision was, Mouncey said, “driven by our passion for contributing to the growth and vitality of our community.”
“After witnessing the impact the CFDC has, we recognized an opportunity to both support our company’s growth and give back in a meaningful way. This organization serves as a platform where businesses, government and community leaders unite to create lasting opportunities. For us, it’s a chance to collaborate on initiatives that strengthen the local economy, attract new investment and support existing businesses,” he said. “Equally important, we value the opportunity to learn from and build relationships with others who share our commitment to long-term, sustainable development.”
Continued Growth
TCG operates in 11 states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Beyond this, it has worked on projects in more than 25 states, Mouncey said.
“We have recently hired a new senior engineer who works out of Dallas, Texas, and have developed strategic partnerships with various firms throughout the U.S.,” he said. “We’re always evaluating opportunities for growth. But our priority is sustainable expansion. Right now, we’re focusing on strengthening our core operations and ensuring that any growth aligns with long-term value.”
Like some other companies, TCG does not want to expand too quickly, Mouncey said. “We provide a boutique-level service to our clients built on rapid response and meticulous attention to detail. Our emphasis is on quality over quantity, ensuring each client receives personalized, high-value support for their projects.”
Short-Term Goals
The company has goals in place, most centered around taking care of their customers and employees.
“Over the next year, our focus is on strengthening our operational foundation, enhancing and improving customer retention. And, making strategic investments in our team and technology to support smart growth without sacrificing quality and the personal relationships we’ve cultivated with our client base,” Mouncey said.
Five years down the road, “Our goal is to achieve steady, sustainable expansion into new markets while preserving long-term client relationships. Building strategic partnerships in communities we operate in and maintaining both organizational flexibility and financial health,” he said.
Giving Back
Giving back is at the heart of what TCG does.
“Whether it’s volunteering in classrooms, bringing learning to life in outdoor spaces or inspiring young minds at science fairs, we love supporting education in our community,” Mouncey said. “We’re also proud to partner with the Polk Education Foundation to help students and teachers thrive.”
One of the company’s core values, he said, “has always been to be present. To be engaged and actively contributing to the success and vitality of the communities in which we operate.”
Best Projects
The best projects are the ones that challenge the team and strengthen relationships, according to Mouncey.
“Every project is unique and brings with it new opportunities and challenges,” he said. “What stands out the most for each one has been our ability to successfully deliver meaningful and quantifiable results exceeding client expectations.”
Projects that are most memorable “required the full spectrum of our team’s expertise,” Mouncey said. “Many of these projects are in the industrial sector. They includes mines and other industrial uses, which at times can be challenging. Our collective experience and relationships have provided us paths to success that ultimately lead to success for the client and their goals.”
The Colinas Group is deeply rooted in the community. They value strong relationships within their team, as well as with clients.
“Supporting local causes and building relationships has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Mouncey.
