25 Years in Business: Messages from Our Co-Founders
This year marks 25 years in business for Atriax Group, which will be official on April 1st, 2026. A quarter of a century filled of growth, meaningful partnerships, and shared achievements among our firm. As we proudly celebrate this milestone, our co-founders George Auten and Ed Henson reflect on what this anniversary means to them and the journey that brought us to this momentous accomplishment.
Message from George Auten
Approaching our 25th anniversary, the thoughts, memories and emotions are simply too numerous to outline. Among them all gratitude stands out.
I’m grateful for the family who supported the notion of starting a business when, in fact, I knew nothing about it. My family that has been supportive in countless ways while also playing a much larger role as advisors and counselors.
I’m grateful to those clients who initially took a chance on us. Yes, we had know-how, but no meaningful business experience from which to deliver that know-how. I’m grateful for the clients who now entrust us with the responsibility of upgrading their buildings and assisting them in carrying out their missions through facility solutions. It is enriching to provide the critical infrastructure that facilitates the delivery of world-class healthcare; the sacred grounds in which our Nation’s heroes – those that wore the cloth of the armed services – will dwell for eternity; defense facilities from which power is projected and strength deters aggression; emergency response facilities from which our first responders carry out their life-saving work; the utility systems that enable our functionality; the treasured parks and recreation areas of our national forests and parks; accessibility to facilities for all; historic reminders that reflect our past and will serve into our future; and every imaginable element of the built environment.
I’m grateful for the associates who chose to join with us in delivering our services and with whom we’ve been together five, ten, even fifteen-plus years. It may be cliché, but it’s true. We’ve been through celebrations, graduations, personal challenges, marriages, births, changing life seasons, and yes, even deaths. The Atriax associates have created memories that will literally live forever.
Ours is a Team Sport which brings us to the gratitude felt for our trusted partners. Those who have provided critical advisory services to include accountants, attorneys, insurance brokers and bankers. The advice provided form the baseline of any business philosophy now held. We rely on many outside vendors and consultants of countless services that enabled our success. Delivering facilities solutions requires a large Team. Land, building, and utilities are complex systems requiring the expertise of a Team. We couldn’t deliver the effective solutions without our trusted consultants and subject matter experts. You make us look good and we are grateful for you.
Indeed, gratitude is overriding as Atriax celebrates 25 years. As meaningful as the reflection is, the anticipation of the future is equally exciting and we look forward to the next leg of the journey.
-George R. Auten, Jr., PE, LEED AP, Co-Founder of Atriax Group
Message from Ed Henson
As a co-founder of Atriax, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, I continue to honor the values that were forged during my military service.
For over two decades, I knew exactly where I belonged. My uniform told the world (and me) who I was. I was proud of who I had become since joining the Air Force. Every morning, I woke with a mission. A short retirement ceremony ended my Air Force career. It did not however, end the character traits the Air Force instilled.
The end of my Air Force career hit harder than I expected. I didn’t miss the 5 AM alarms, the deployments, the physical training in weather so hot and steamy you had to chew the air before you could breathe it, or so cold it made your lungs burn. I missed the people. I missed walking into a room and knowing that everyone there was serving the same mission, chasing the same goal.
When George and I started Atriax, the mission didn’t disappear; it simply changed. What didn’t change were the core values that we honored while we were in uniform; service before self, integrity above all, and excellence in all we do. Those core values became the Atriax foundation and we have honored them for 25 years. That’s how we got here today.
I personally have learned that in business, the mission doesn’t always announce itself with full-throttle afterburners. Sometimes it’s found in the small, steady acts that make a difference, like volunteering in organizations that better our community, serving fellow veterans, and by designing great healthcare projects. Our new mission gives us purpose and meaning. It’s quieter than the Air Force mission but no less important.
Atriax is more than a company. It’s George’s and my way of continuing to serve. We strive to support our clients with the same dedication with which we served our country, and we remain committed to creating opportunities for our employees, fellow veterans, and strengthening the community we call home.
-Edward H. Henson, AIA, LEED AP, Co-Founder of Atriax Group
