I&S Group was formed in 1973 by Ken Surprenant and Gene Isakson to provide engineering services to southern Minnesota. Soon after its inception, Mr. Isakson moved on to other endeavors. Ken and his wife, Mary Jo, stayed the course, and nearly 40 years later the company has grown to provide a full suite of design services with clients throughout the country.
Ken was a very unique individual characterized by his caring, compassion, and selflessness. Those traits were the foundation of the many lives he touched and individuals he mentored. During his many years at I&S, Ken had similar opportunities to develop outstanding young professionals. When MSU looked to start a Civil Engineering program, Ken along with I&S and others provided financial assistance. Ken retired from I&S Group in 2008 to pursue his varied interests. Ken passed away in September 2011, but his legacy lives on through the lives of those he touched both at I&S and throughout the community.
