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The expectations of continuing a family business can be a huge burden for some.

Meredith Hogg-Stone embraced her family’s impressive legacy of being a professional engineer. Hogg-Stone is the President and Owner of Hogg Stone Associates (HSA) Engineers, located on 1 Satterfield Street.

Fifty-two years ago, Donald R. Hogg Sr., Hogg-Stone’s grandfather, started DD Hogg and Associates in 1968. Her father, Donald Ray Hogg, Jr., took over Hogg Jones and Associates in 1985 and formed his own company.

Hogg-Stone eventually formed her own company in 2017 and Ray Hogg now works for her.

“Being a civil engineer has always been in the cards for me, basically my birthright,” Hogg-Stone said. “I’m a third generation registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama. And funny enough, I’m a third generation “Ray” – although my middle name has the female spelling of Rae.

“I’ve been around engineering my entire life. As a young child, I would spend time at my dad’s consulting engineering firm, Hogg Engineering Corporation, watching as his draftsmen created drawings and playing with surveying equipment. I love solving problems and trying to figure out how things work.”

Auburn University is also a big part of Hogg-Stone’s family tree.

Donald Hogg, Sr., P.E. was a 1950 Civil Engineering graduate of Alabama Polytechnic University (now Auburn). Donald Hogg, Jr., P.E. is a 1980 Civil Engineering graduate from Auburn. Hogg-Stone graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Auburn in 2008.

Hogg-Stone said Donald Hogg Jr., known as Ray in the Dallas County community, as her biggest influence.

“My father influenced my life in ways beyond just my career choice as a Civil Engineer,” Hogg-Stone said. “He taught me what it means to be an Auburn Man or Woman. He taught me that most problems can be solved with equal parts innovation and elbow grease.

“When I was little, he would take me out on safe job sites with him and I would get to watch him work in the field, and realize that civil engineering extends beyond just what’s done in an office. But above all else, he taught me the importance of family. That’s why I treasure carrying on my family’s legacy in the field of civil engineering.”

Hogg-Stone, 35, admits having a career and managing a family at the same time can be rough, but she always manages to make it happen.  Her husband, Ryan Stone, is a Railroad Engineer. They have two children, Avery, 8, and Carter, 4.

“Juggling my family and career is the toughest job I have,” Hogg-Stone said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my “village”. My “village” consists of family and friends who step in to help me out if I get held up on a job site or have to go out of town for work. I can count on them the pick my children up and to get them where they need to be. That’s one of the blessings of living in Selma.

“I’m also fortunate enough to work for a small family owned company.  Family is very important to us and we value our family.  I have had to bring my kids to work and sometime may have leave for an hour or so to attend their school plays, graduations, parties, doctor appointments, etc. Just as I grew up around my dad’s consulting engineering firm, my children are growing up around mine.  I hope that one, if not both, of them have a future in engineering and carry on our family legacy in engineering.”

The 2003 graduate of Morgan Academy said she’s proud of being a successful civil engineer and encourages young female students to pursue an engineering career.

“As a female engineer, I know that I am in the minority,” Hogg-Stone said. “At Dallas County Auburn Club events, I talk to the female students present to let them know that engineering is not just for men. Women are continuing to graduate and do great things in the field of engineering, more specifically, civil engineering.”

Hogg-Stone’s role at HSA include design, planning, and managing civil construction projects, mainly infrastructure projects. Hogg-Stone said she loves the different aspects of her job.

“I like that every aspect of my job is diverse, no two clients are the same,” Hogg-Stone said. “No two projects or types of projects are the same. Every day brings a new challenge and a new set of problems to solve. When we get a call from a client, often times we do not know what we’re up against until we’re on site. Once we have feet on the ground and eyes on the problems, then the wheels start turning and we spring into action.

“But most of all, I like the diverse range of people I meet on a daily basis. I’ve worked with everyone from state agency officials to ground level employees at waste water treatment plants. And every person I’ve worked with has taught me valuable lessons and made me a better Civil Engineer.”

Hogg-Stone enjoys living in Selma and wants to help the city restore its legacy.

“Selma is and always has been my home, I want to see my community continue to grow and thrive,” Hogg-Stone said. “I moved back after graduation from Auburn, knowing that I would raise my family here. Any way I can get involved and help, I try and do so. I want my kids to grow up and create loving memories of Selma, just as I did.

“In order for our community to continue to grow and thrive, my generation needs to step up and get involved. I try and answer the call whether its through getting involved in community organizations such as the Selma Charity League, attending community fundraising events such as the Old Depot Low County Boil and the Chili Cook-off.”