Building a Legacy Since 1991
When Dave Claycomb founded HELIX Environmental Planning in 1991, he set out to build an environmental consulting firm known for technical excellence, trusted relationships, and a commitment to helping clients solve complex environmental challenges.
What began as a one-person operation in San Diego County has grown into a statewide firm serving public and private clients throughout California. Over the years, we’ve expanded our expertise, opened offices across the state, and assembled a talented team of professionals who are passionate about helping clients move projects forward while protecting natural and human environments.
Growth has always been part of the HELIX story, but our success has never been measured solely by the number of offices we open or projects we complete. It has been fueled by the people who have chosen to build their careers here, the clients who have trusted us with their most important projects, and a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and long-term relationships.
One of the most significant moments in our history came in 2004 with the creation of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Employee ownership reinforced something that had always been part of HELIX’s culture: when people have a personal stake in the success of the company, they bring a different level of commitment, accountability, and care to their work. Today, HELIX is proud to be 100% employee-owned, and every employee-owner plays a part in shaping the future of our company.
As HELIX continued to grow, so did our reach and capabilities. We expanded beyond our San Diego roots, established offices throughout California, welcomed new service offerings, and broadened our expertise to meet the evolving needs of our clients and communities. Along the way, we have remained focused on delivering practical solutions, high-quality work, and exceptional client service.
Today, HELIX is recognized as one of California’s leading employee-owned environmental consulting firms. While the company has changed considerably since 1991, the values that inspired its founding remain the same. We still believe in acting with integrity, building trusted relationships, investing in the growth and wellbeing of our employee-owners, embracing new challenges, and finding thoughtful solutions to complex problems.
We continue to build on the foundation that Dave created. HELIX is now powered by a new generation of leaders, the energy and ideas of our employee-owners, and the same entrepreneurial spirit that has guided us from the very beginning. Our history is something we’re proud of, but we’re even more excited about what comes next.