Engineering with accountability
since day one

From the beginning, HHB Engineers has prioritized hands-on involvement, technical integrity, and long-term client relationships. Our reputation is built on delivering rigorous engineering oversight and reliable mechanical solutions that protect our clients' investments from concept to completion.
Video - Watch Our Story

Our Story

HHB Engineers was founded in 1983 by Tom Hattemer and Kent Hornsby as Hattemer and Hornsby Engineers. They believed outstanding design requires not just technical integrity, but a genuine commitment to the people behind every project. Together, they built a regional reputation for thoughtful, high-performance systems that seamlessly solved complex building challenges.

Today, that legacy continues under the leadership of Barbara Hattemer McCrary, P.E., a second-generation principal who has guided the firm as President since 2014. Barbara brings rigorous technical knowledge and a deep sense of personal advocacy to every partnership, maintaining a culture of active principal oversight that ensures projects are executed to the highest industry standards.

Operating from our headquarters in Tuscaloosa, our versatile portfolio spans major regional landmarks and specialized technical environments across the Southeast. We bring a single, uncompromised standard of deep engineering precision to every partner we serve, seamlessly scaling our expertise from complex, large-scale systems to targeted, small-scale upgrades.

This is HHB Engineers. Built on experience. Driven by integrity. Ready for what's next.

Leadership

Leadership at HHB Engineers means direct, hands-on project advocacy. We ground our practice in deep technical knowledge, practical field experience, and a standard of transparent communication. By eliminating the layers of traditional corporate bureaucracy, we ensure every project receives active, principal-led oversight from people who understands the intense demands of complex facilities.

Barbara H. McCrary, P.E.

President
Barbara Hattemer McCrary, P.E., leads HHB Engineers with over two decades of mechanical consulting experience. A two-time UA Mechanical Engineering graduate and 2026 Distinguished Engineering Fellow, her complex systems infrastructure designs touch 6 universities across the southeast including serving as the Engineer of Record for the recent $110 million Bryant-Denny Stadium renovation. Known for her rigorous technical stewardship and attention to detail, Barbara brings deep personal advocacy for every facility she touches.
Read More

Cuong Tran

Mechanical Engineering Leader
Cuong Tran brings more than a decade of experience in mechanical engineering, combining rigorous technical analysis with practical field expertise. A cum laude graduate of UAB's mechanical engineering program, Cuong plays a key role in the development of mechanical and piping calculations, load modeling, and air distribution layouts for complex renovation and retrofit projects. An active member of ASHRAE and ASPE, he excels at navigating spatial constraints through advanced Revit design and provides thorough construction administration and field inspections to help ensure successful project delivery.
Read More

B. Seth Michael, PE

Mechanical Engineer
Seth Michael, P.E., brings more than a decade of engineering and construction experience to HHB Engineers. A graduate of The University of Alabama's Civil Engineering program, Seth began his career in commercial construction management before transitioning into mechanical system design and earning his Professional Engineer license in Mechanical Engineering. His background in both construction and consulting provides a practical perspective on complex renovation and new construction projects, from initial design through construction administration and project closeout.
Read More

Barbara Hattemer McCrary Named Distinguished Engineering Fellow

HHB Engineers President Barbara Hattemer McCrary, PE, was inducted into the 2026 class of Distinguished Engineering Fellows by the University of Alabama’s Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering — the College’s highest honor. The recognition celebrates McCrary’s leadership, technical expertise and lasting contributions to the engineering profession and the University of Alabama community.

A two-time UA mechanical engineering graduate, McCrary has led HHB Engineers since 2014, continuing a legacy established by the firm’s founder, Tom Hattemer. Under her leadership, HHB has become a prominent women-owned engineering firm specializing in complex mechanical and HVAC systems across the Southeast, including two-decades of work on the University of Alabama campus and the 2020 Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion.

Awards

Distinguished Engineering Fellow Award - Univ of Alabama | 2026*
Engineered Systems Magazine 20 Women to Watch in HVAC Winner | 2022*
Engineer of the Year from the Engineering Council of Birmingham | 2021*
University of Alabama Distinguished Mechanical Engineering Fellow | 2016*
Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter Young Engineer of the Year | 2013*
ASHRAE Willis H. Carrier Award | 2006*
ASHRAE Poster Presentation Award | 2006*
Engineering Council of Birmingham’s Engineer of the Year nominee | 2006**
University of Alabama Distinguished Mechanical Engineering Fellow | 2005**
ASHRAE Region VII Technology Award | 2000†
Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter Award | 2000†
ASHRAE National Technology Award | 1996†
Indicates Recipient: *Barbara H. McCrary, **Tom L. Hattemer, †HHB Engineers

Let’s start your next project.

Contact Us
1490 Northbank Parkway, Suite 270
Tuscaloosa, AL, 35406
205-650-4000
Copyright © 2026
Web Development By Infomedia

B. Seth Michael, PE

Mechanical Engineer
Seth Michael, PE earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in 2012. After college, Seth spent several years working in construction for a General Contractor, with projects on campus at the University of Alabama, and around Central Alabama. He then transitioned to mechanical design, with now over a decade of experience in mechanical engineering consulting. After only a short time in mechanical design, he earned his PE in Mechanical Engineering, demonstrating his ability to engage with a variety of engineering disciplines successfully.

Seth has varied experience across multiple project types, including extensive work in higher education, office buildings, manufacturing, and medical facilities, with a wide variety of complex major renovations and new construction projects. He is also well versed in multiple design and production applications including Revit and AutoCAD. Seth has proven experience across multiple disciplines including HVAC systems, Plumbing systems, and Fire Protections Systems.

Seth is currently licensed in the State of Alabama.

Seth is a member of the following professional societies:

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Seth serves as Alumni Advisor for the Beta Chapter of Kappa Sigma at UA. He is active in the UA campus community and supports student success through his mentorship and advisory. He lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Elizabeth, and his English Bulldogs, Blanche and Rosie.

Cuong Tran

Mechanical Engineering Leader
Cuong Tran joined HHB Engineers, P.C. in fall of 2016. He received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, graduating cum laude. Prior to joining HHB Engineers, Cuong worked for GreenbergFarrow in Atlanta performing HVAC calculations and code review, as well as experience in other engineering industries.

Cuong’s expertise includes Revit, HVAC and plumbing design including load calculations, piping calculations, system design, equipment selection, air distribution system design, coordination with existing building constraints, as well as all aspects of construction administration including site inspections.

Cuong is a member of the following professional societies:

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

Barbara H. McCrary, P.E.

President
Barbara H. McCrary, PE – Barbara earned both a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Prior to joining HHB Engineers, McCrary worked at a mechanical consulting firm in Atlanta, GA. She became President and majority owner of HHB Engineers in June of 2014.

Barbara has experience on a variety of projects including major renovations, athletic facilities, historic buildings, college and university projects, detention facilities, office buildings, military projects, including complex renovations at the Prime AE project manager. Her Prime AE project management includes work at universities and for governmental clients (state and federal). Both as Prime AE and Consultant, Barbara’s projects often involve complex phasing where the building may remain occupied and/or systems can only be down during limited periods. McCrary has extensive experience with whole building energy modeling for as part of integrated design practices, and for submission on LEED projects.

McCrary understands and embraces the challenge of finding the right balance between first costs, the needs of the end user, energy costs, and long term maintenance considerations when selecting systems types for buildings. Barbara has experience with a wide range of HVAC and mechanical systems including:

Chilled water plants and distribution systems
Hot water plants and distribution systems
Variable primary and primary/secondary hydronic systems
VAV systems
Dedicated outside air systems
Specialized indoor environments such as Operating Rooms and Laboratories
Commercial kitchens
Heat recovery systems
Water source heat pump systems
Ground source and lake source heat pump (geothermal) systems – lake system featured in ASHRAE Journal (April 2018)
Plumbing systems
Rainwater harvesting systems
McCrary’s honors and recognitions include 2026 Distinguished Engineering Fellow Inductee for the Styslinger College of Engineering at the University of Alabama, 2022 Engineered Systems Magazine 20 Women to Watch in HVAC, 2021 Engineer of the Year Award from the Engineering Council of Birmingham (ECOB), Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter 2021 Engineer of the Year, inducted as University of Alabama Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Fellow in 2016, and Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter’s 2013 Young Engineer of the Year (ages 35 and under).

Barbara won the 2006 ASHRAE Willis H. Carrier National Award for a best paper presented at an ASHRAE meeting in 2006 by a member age 32 years and younger, and also received the 2006 ASHRAE Presentation Award for the best poster presentation from the 2006 Winter and Annual Meetings. Barbara presented another paper at a previous ASHRAE Winter meeting (published in ASHRAE Transactions) and co-authored an article published in ASHRAE Journal, originating from her graduate studies at the University of Alabama. Her graduate degree studies were in the area of geothermal heating and cooling systems with an emphasis on lake source heat pump systems, working with Dr. Steve Kavanaugh. In April of 2018, McCrary co-authored a case study article in ASHRAE Journal featuring a lake-source geothermal system located at Southern Union Community College in Wadley, AL.

Barbara is licensed mechanical engineer in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Barbara is a member of the following professional societies:

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Association of Energy Engineers
Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society)
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
McCrary has served on the University of Alabama Department of Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board since 2016, and is a past-Chair of the Board. She is active on the U of A campus speaking to students and groups, as well as other outreach and networking events, and enjoys involvement in organizations supporting women business owners. She and her husband Zac live in Northport, AL with their Italian Greyhound.