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At the forefront: PennTerra shapes region for over 50 years

By Walt Frank 6 min read

STATE COLLEGE -- For 50 years, PennTerra Engineering has been shaping land development and been at the forefront of economic growth across Centre County and the surrounding region.

Founded in 1976 by Thomas F. Songer II and Frank Welsh as Uni-Tec, the State College-based firm, which became PennTerra in 1991, has played a central role in projects ranging from the Nittany Mall in the 1980s to premier residential communities in the 1990s, commercial and industrial developments in the 2000s and the transformation of downtown State College through mixed-use and student housing projects.

Company President John Sepp of Hollidaysburg joined PennTerra in 1989, bought the business in 1997 and became president in 1998.

"I thought it was a progressive company doing interesting work. They were on the cutting edge of technology. It was a great group of people and the time was right for Tom and I," said Sepp, a native of Barryville, N.Y., who worked for Conrail and The EADS Group in Altoona before joining PennTerra.

PennTerra has worked on thousands of projects over the years and the company with 43 employees focuses on the central Pennsylvania area.

"We have worked all over the state, into New York and other neighboring states, but our priority is central Pennsylvania," Sepp said.

PennTerra specializes in land development.

"We are current and knowledgeable on regulations and processes to have well-planned projects that get approved in a timely fashion," Sepp said.

"We are the land development experts. When a client gets the plans they are ready to get approved and able to get permits to move dirt. PennTerra is ground zero for economic development," said Irene Miller Wetzel, director of business development.

The company's success is based on relationships.

"For 50 years, our success has come down to the relationships we've built with our clients and the level of care our team members put into the plans. As a 100% employee-owned company (since 2016), every member of our team has a vested interest in delivering plans that are not only approved, but also practical, constructable and cost-conscious. That mindset has defined who we are and will continue to guide us forward," Sepp said. "We understand our clients needs and vision and team with them on projects."

Wetzel said PennTerra is built on five core values: integrity and respect, customer relationships, efficient excellence, teamwork and ownership and community and partnership.

PennTerra has received numerous awards over the years.

For example, in 2002, PennTerra was named by the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County as Small Business of the Year and has been in the Top 100 from Pennsylvania Business Central for several years. Sepp was recognized as the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County's 2025 Business Leader of the Year.

"They are not just a service provider, they're a trusted partner who understands that success at the regional level matters to their community's future. Over 50 years, they've built trust, strong customer relationships, and a reputation for excellence," said CBICC President/CEO Greg Scott.

Jeff S. Long Construction of Altoona is PennTerra's biggest client in Blair County.

"He (Sepp) has probably done 15-20 projects for me. He has done about all of our engineering work for the last 20 years. I deal with him directly for everything. He always gets back to me quickly if I have any questions. He deals with me personally and that means a lot to me," Long said. "They are excellent and really good to work with. I never ask them to bid, he does the work, sends me a bill and the price is always fair."

PennTerra has had a long-standing relationship with Sheetz Inc. going back several decades.

"They have provided engineering services for more than a dozen of our projects across Centre and Blair counties, including both store rebuild projects and the construction of new locations. We have the utmost respect for the work they've conducted, which includes meeting with local municipalities, bringing a strong understanding of local zoning to each project, and collaborating with our engineering team at Sheetz," said Brent Brubaker, Sheetz director of engineering and project scheduling. "We cannot say enough about the support they have provided in helping enhance the services our stores provide and powering our growth in the area."

PennTerra also has a longstanding relationship with Leonard S. Fiore Inc. of Altoona.

"John Sepp and his team bring a tremendous amount of local knowledge and a deep familiarity with the processes and requirements unique to our region, particularly in Centre County and the Borough of State College," President Joseph L. Irwin said. "That understanding has made PennTerra a valuable resource in helping us get projects off the ground and navigate the challenges that can come with development and construction."

Centre County officials said the firm has had an impact beyond traditional land development.

"PennTerra has been a key partner in projects that support both economic development and quality of life," Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins said. "Their work ties directly into assets like our expanding rails-to-trails network and the outdoor recreation economy championed by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Those connections are critical to attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and enhancing what makes this region special."

At the municipal level, PennTerra's influence is especially visible in downtown State College.

"PennTerra has helped shape the growth and evolution of our downtown," said Ezra Nanes, mayor of State College Borough. "Their work integrates sustainability, pedestrian access and bicycle infrastructure -- strengthening a vibrant, accessible community for residents, students and visitors."

One of Sepp's favorite projects was the Centre Care facility (formerly Centre Crest) in College Township.

PennTerra provided comprehensive site and civil engineering services, including master site layout, grading, parking lot design and stormwater manager features.

"When the time came to develop and build the new Centre Care facility, PennTerra was an easy choice to partner with us on the project. Their team provided a wide range of services and helped ensure we were prepared at every stage. With a project of that size and complexity, there were inevitably challenges along the way, but PennTerra was always there to help us navigate them, find solutions, and keep the project moving forward," said Centre Care Administrator Andrew Naugle. "What we value most about PennTerra is knowing that when we call, we are going to receive thoughtful guidance, reliable answers and a team genuinely invested in helping us succeed. If Centre Care were to undertake another major project, PennTerra would be one of our first calls."

PennTerra is also involved in the community.

"We take pride not only in the projects we deliver, but in how our team serves the community," Sepp said. "Supporting organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Homes for Our Troops, United Way's Day of Caring, Centre Foundation's Centre Gives, the Food Bank and A Soldier's Hands reflects who we are."

Sepp said the future of the business looks bright.

"We have hired a lot of young people to take us into the next generation of employee owners. Development in Centre County is always strong with new development and re-development," Sepp said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

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