Clough, Harbour & Associates LLP (CHA), a preeminent multi-disciplined engineering firm with 19 offices across the United States, announced today that they have formed a Security Services Group to assist clients in examining and reinforcing security systems that protect their facilities and infrastructure. CHA has also entered into an agreement with former head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Thomas Constantine under which he will work with CHA and their clients to improve site security at their facilities.

"Many of our clients are approaching us with concerns about how recent global events will impact the effectiveness of their security systems," said Raymond J. Kinley, Jr., CHA's Chief Executive Officer. "We feel that there will be an increase in infrastructure security projects in the coming years due to higher funding levels and our clients' need to protect their assets. By combining our building systems and civil engineering expertise with Mr. Constantine's experience in the field, we will be ready when these projects materialize."

CHA's Security Service Group, which will be headed by partner Thomas O'Brien, P.E., will consist of senior-level engineers from its aviation, civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering groups. Mr. O'Brien has extensive experience in managing projects for both public and private clients who rely heavily on security systems. His clients include the New York State Office of General Services, the New York State Police, Metro-North Railroad, Monroe County, Ulster County, and the New York State Department of Corrections. The new service group, working with Mr. Constantine, can perform a security needs assessment for each client before recommending physical and/or operational improvements or alterations.

President George Bush's proposed 2003 budget provides approximately $38 billion for homeland security in 2003 — an $18 billion increase over 2002. The proposed budget includes $1.2 billion that would be earmarked specifically for protecting hospitals and public infrastructure such as water treatment facilities from bioterrorism as well as $4.8 billion for increasing security at airports. In addition, some senators have proposed $3.5 billion in federal aid to state and local governments to develop emergency response plans and boost security at facilities including those in the manufacturing sector, especially at those involved in transporting or storing hazardous materials.

CHA has provided security-related services for a number of clients in the past, including Albany International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport, Stewart International Airport, Albany County and Washington County as well as a number of private industries, hospitals and universities. CHA provides design services for security systems that include closed circuit television, motion sensors, computerized access control systems, and environmental protections including security fencing, landscaping using natural vegetation and rock formations to create security barriers, site grading and curvilinear roadways.

Thomas Constantine has over 40 years of experience in the law enforcement field and has worked in various positions, departments and agencies that oversee security operations for all levels of local, state and federal governments. He has served as the superintendent of the New York State Police, commissioner of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, and the administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Clough, Harbour & Associates LLP is a highly diversified, multidisciplined engineering firm providing planning and design in the fields of telecommunications, power transmission and distribution, civil, aviation, traffic/transportation, environmental, geotechnical, industrial, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as landscape architecture, land use planning, surveying, wetland delineation, construction inspection and technology services. CHA has 19 offices throughout the United States. The firm was ranked 117th in the Engineering News-Record's (ENR) list of 2002's top 500 engineering firms according to 2001 gross revenues.