Meet Westwood Associate Luke Arnquist

Get to know our newest associates! We are excited to have them on our team and helping to lead Westwood forward. The associate designation at Westwood represents a team member who provides considerable value to the firm through their leadership traits and technical expertise.

Luke Arnquist, National GIS Coordinator in Minneapolis, has been named one of Westwood’s 2021 associates. Luke joins 25 of his colleagues in earning the distinction given to Westwood employees who embody the companies’ mission, vision, and values, as well as their dedication to leadership. 

Since starting at Westwood in 2013, Luke has helped lead the growth of the GIS team from just two employees to over 15. Being a long-term member of the GIS team not only gives Luke a unique perspective on leadership but also provides assurance he is doing something right.

“The national GIS coordinator position is new because we haven’t had a need for that before,” says Luke. “Knowing Westwood supports continued growth for GIS services and is paving the way for other GIS specialists is huge in our profession,” he says.

Luke has seen much of Westwood’s rapid growth happen in his eight years with the firm. When asked how he thinks Westwood can uphold its strong culture as the company grows, Luke says that is where the value of being an associate becomes even more evident.

“We need leaders at every level,” he says. “I think being an associate and leader on the GIS team is good because it shows that leadership doesn’t always come from the top. It can be found throughout the company. As an associate, I can help amplify our culture of “one team” and opportunities for leadership a little more,” says Luke.

Having spent most of his career at Westwood, Luke offers valuable advice for employees early in their career. “Westwood’s annual growth plans can help you to start thinking about what it is you want to do with your career. Start figuring out who you need to know, who you need to talk to, or who you need to work with to make that happen,” he says.

“The position I’m in now didn’t exist five years ago. The great thing about working for Westwood is that our growth will continue to create a ton of different opportunities for young employees - even those that have been here a while,” says Luke.

Thank you, Luke, for your dedication to Westwood, and congratulations on becoming an associate!