MBI Companies is pleased to welcome award-winning architecture and interior design firm NELSON Worldwide (NELSON) to the growing United Design Partners (UDP) family. The addition of NELSON brings together now over 550 employees in over 20 offices in 10 states providing talented teams with complementary expertise, strengthening the platform’s ability to provide innovative, client-focused architecture, engineering, and design solutions across the country.
MBI Companies is also pleased to recognize Jerry Isaksen, AIA, Senior Principal, as the leader of its Chattanooga office. During his six years with MBI, Jerry has brought extensive project management experience across the civic, justice, education, and commercial sectors. His broad expertise supports the day-to-day operations of the Chattanooga office while also providing project leadership and quality assurance oversight for work delivered through both the Chattanooga and Knoxville offices.
MBI Companies joined UDP in November 2024, followed by Fort Myers, Florida-based architecture and interior design firm Studio+ Architects in November 2025. Together, NELSON, MBI Companies, and Studio+ Architects form the foundation of UDP, with each legacy firm contributing its experience, capabilities, culture, and leadership to the platform’s continued direction and growth.
“We are excited to welcome NELSON to UDP and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create,” said Eddie Jett, CEO of MBI Companies.
“By working together under the UDP platform, our firms can offer clients broader expertise, expanded geographic reach, and greater resources while maintaining the relationships and service that have defined each organization historically,” said Bill Steverson, President of MBI Companies.
Palm Beach Capital (PBC), the primary equity capital partner behind UDP, has a demonstrated history of supporting growth within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. PBC previously served as the lead investor and growth partner behind Universal Engineering Sciences (UES), ranked No. 39 by Engineering News-Record, and helped the company achieve significant national growth. UES was recognized by Zweig Group as the fastest-growing AEC firm in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
PBC has also served as a growth partner to Pape-Dawson Engineers, ranked No. 63 by Engineering News-Record, supporting the company’s continued expansion and long-term value-creation strategy. These partnerships reflect PBC’s commitment to building enduring organizations and fostering meaningful growth throughout the AEC industry.
About MBI Companies
Founded in 1990, MBI Companies, Inc. is a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm committed to improving lives through design. MBI provides comprehensive services through an integrated team of professionals specializing in architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, plumbing, and fire protection engineering.
By combining creativity, technical expertise, and practical problem-solving, MBI delivers coordinated design solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. Clients served across the MBI Companies network include University of Tennessee, Southern Adventist University, Erlanger Health System, the City of Chattanooga, Regal Cinemas, Hamilton County Schools, and many others. For more information, visit www.mbicompanies.com.
About Palm Beach Capital
Founded in 2001, Palm Beach Capital is a middle-market private equity investment firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Currently investing through its sixth committed fund, the firm focuses on high-growth investment opportunities and partners with management teams through management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth-equity investments.
Since its founding, Palm Beach Capital has invested in 59 portfolio companies, with a focus on the architecture and engineering, business services, healthcare, transportation, and logistics sectors. For more information, visit www.pbcap.com.
