Built on Bradley: Three Decades of Innovation

More than three decades ago, two Bradley University engineering students shared a simple ambition: build a technology-focused engineering company after graduation. That idea, born in classrooms and conversations on campus, became EngineeringPeople—a national engineering and technology firm that continues to grow while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that launched it in 1991.

For founder Jim Montelongo ’91, MBA ’04, Bradley was more than the place where the business began. It helped shape the foundation for everything that followed.

“While we were engineering students at Bradley, we often talked about starting a technology-focused engineering company after graduation,” Jim said of his partnership with fellow alumnus Ken Imming ’91. “We turned that idea into reality almost immediately.”

Originally founded as Advanced CADCAM Service Corporation (ACCS), the company operated out of the founders’ apartment before moving into the Bradley Business Incubator in Jobst Hall while Jim completed his final semester. An early opportunity with Caterpillar—one of the company’s first major customers—provided the momentum needed to establish the business.

Today, EngineeringPeople has grown into a full-service engineering and technology company serving manufacturers across the United States. The firm provides engineering design services, embedded and enterprise software development, technical staffing, and digital modernization solutions that help companies modernize products, improve operations, and leverage data and artificial intelligence.

Jim credits Bradley with helping transform an idea into a sustainable business. “The Bradley Business Incubator provided invaluable guidance as we developed our business plan. At the time, it felt overwhelming because we didn’t always know the answers. Looking back, those questions forced us to think critically about every aspect of the business and ultimately gave us a much stronger foundation.”

Support also came from Bradley faculty who invested in their students beyond the classroom. “We developed strong relationships with several engineering professors who generously shared their expertise,” Jim said. “Their willingness to mentor young entrepreneurs gave us confidence during those early years.”

Jim’s relationship with Bradley continued long after graduation. He returned to earn his MBA, strengthening his leadership skills while maintaining close ties to the university.

“My education at Bradley played a significant role in my success,” he said. “The professors weren’t just knowledgeable, they were approachable, professional, passionate about teaching, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed.”

The university’s influence also extended into the company’s growth. Jim says many of EngineeringPeople’s earliest business opportunities came through fellow Bradley alumni working at regional manufacturers. He also remains connected to mentors such as Dr. Iqbal Shareef and values the continued support of Bradley’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, whose educational programs and Braves Launch initiative have helped the company continue evolving over the years.

The Next Generation Leading the Way
Now, EngineeringPeople’s story has come full circle as two of Jim’s three sons, Alex and Miguel ’22—both vice presidents—help lead the business. For Miguel, the company has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.

“Some of my earliest memories are of going to the office after school with my brothers,” he recalled. “We would do homework, walk around to see what everyone was working on, and then raid the kitchen for snacks.”

Business was a regular topic around the dinner table, giving Miguel an early appreciation for entrepreneurship. “We saw how hard our dad worked,” he said. “As I got older, I began to appreciate the dedication and perseverance required to grow a business.”

After graduating from Bradley’s Foster College of Business with dual majors in Entrepreneurship and Management and Leadership, Miguel officially joined EngineeringPeople. He began as a sales intern before moving into marketing and business strategy. Today, he helps lead projects for the company’s software platform while remaining active in sales and client management.

“My education prepared me for my career at EngineeringPeople in different but complementary ways. Together, the programs helped me become a well-rounded professional and gave me confidence in my abilities,” he explained.

Working alongside his father has made the family business even more meaningful. “Working with family is a special opportunity to build something together,” Miguel said. “We celebrate our successes and push one another to keep learning and improving.” At the same time, he says success requires balance. “We have to be clear about expectations at work while knowing when to step away from the business and simply be a family. Finding that balance is key.”

Among the lessons he values most are those learned by watching his father lead. “My dad taught me to operate efficiently, work harder than the competition, and always keep my word to customers and employees,” he explained. “The trust and reputation a company builds, both internally and externally, are critical to its success.”

For both father and son, Bradley remains an important thread connecting their family’s story with the company’s future. “Bradley has always been a place where I could learn, grow, and build meaningful relationships,” Jim said.

Miguel agrees. “Bradley has played an important role in both our family and our business. I’m grateful for the opportunities, education, and mentors it gave me,” he said. “That foundation continues to help me grow as a leader and contribute to our company’s future.”

More than 30 years after two Bradley classmates launched a business with a shared vision, EngineeringPeople continues to thrive—built on innovation, strengthened by Bradley connections, and carried forward by the next generation of leadership.

—Emily Potts