The NJB acquisition represents a return to their roots for both firms. RVi CEO Bob Richardson (middle), NJB President Rowland Jackson (right), and NJB Senior Vice President Karl Von Bieberstein (left) all previously worked together with MND Partners in the 1970s and 1980s. Richardson left MND to start his own practice in 1982, while Jackson and Von Bieberstein remained with MND and eventually reorganized the firm under the NJB name in 1990.

RVi Project Director Paul Cozzolino will lead the integration effort of NJB in Dallas into the RVi fold.

RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture (RVi) www.rviplanning.com, a 32-year old firm with offices in Austin and Houston, announced Oct. 15, that it has acquired the Dallas-based landscape architecture firm of Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc. (NJB) www.njbinc.net.

"After over three decades of practicing independently, it will be a joy to work with Rowland and Karl again," said Richardson. "We have a lot of shared values. I am confident the transition for our employees, clients and allied firms will be very smooth," he added.

In addition to his role as president, Jackson has served as director of design at NJB, working with many prominent clients such as the Dallas Arboretum and Baylor University Medical Center.

"We're excited about joining forces with RVi," said Jackson. "We believe the combination of the two firms' talent and resources will ultimately benefit the clients of both organizations."

At NJB, Von Bieberstein has served as senior vice president of company operations and has led the firm's long history of work for Texas Christian University. "This is a marvelous opportunity for our two respected companies to learn from one another," said Von Bieberstein. He sees the potential to improve the landscape architecture practice and sharpen the focus on design and development issues.

RVi Project Director Paul Cozzolino has been tapped to lead the integration effort in Dallas. He will begin work immediately alongside Jackson and Von Bieberstein, who will retain their leadership roles as officers and principals in the firm. A Dallas native, Cozzolino also has a history with NJB, having worked as an intern in their office on multiple occasions throughout college. Cozzolino is a graduate of Texas A&M University's Landscape Architecture program and has been with RVi since 2009.

Cozzolino sees NJB's strengths as the urban design, health care, academic and institutional markets. The acquisition, he notes, is an important step in the diversification of RVi's practice.

RVi's notable projects include Mueller, Cinco Ranch Northwest, Champion Park, Steiner Ranch and the San Gabriel River Trail. RVi is currently working on the Trinity Falls and Walsh Ranch community projects in the Dallas area.

NJB operates mainly in northern Texas and has been recognized with over 50 design awards and citations for projects like the new AT&T Stadium (Cowboys Stadium); Trammel Crow Center; Texas Rangers Ballpark; EDS corporate headquarters; and multiple projects at Baylor University Medical Center and Texas Christian University. The firm is currently working on the Grandscape Development, a 400-acre mixed-use project in The Colony, which will be anchored by the first Nebraska Furniture Mart in Texas.