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Celebrating Hem Gupta, ESD’s Founder

The late Hem Gupta founded ESD in 1967. Today would be his 90th birthday.

Hem Gupta started his professional career at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 1954. He was chief engineer at Perkins & Will when he started ESD.

After securing one of his first major clients, the Chicago Board of Trade, Gupta and his partners quickly built ESD into one of the largest MEP consulting engineering firms in Chicago – a position it still holds. Thanks to Gupta’s guidance and entrepreneurial spirit, ESD has established partnerships with some of the most recognized companies, renowned architects, and developers throughout the world.

“My dad demonstrated through his actions how to be a great father, friend, and leader. His accomplishments were many and his humility was endearing,” recalls his son, ESD Executive Chairman, Raj Gupta.

Find out more about Hem Gupta and the early days at ESD by checking out our 50th-anniversary e-book, published in 2017.

Hem Gupta was authentic and well-respected. He embodied ESD’s values of Respect Everyone, Work Hard, and Play to Win and established our mission to Improve Society Through the Built Environment.

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