Engineering Solutions
Across Diverse Markets.

Industries We Serve

HHB Engineers delivers mechanical, plumbing and fire protection engineering solutions across a diverse range of markets throughout the Southeast. From higher education campuses and historic renovations to government facilities, commercial office buildings and athletic venues, our team understands the unique challenges each project presents. We apply decades of engineering expertise to develop practical, efficient systems that support our clients' goals while delivering lasting performance and value.
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Athletic Facilities

HHB Engineers provides mechanical, plumbing and fire protection engineering for athletic and recreational facilities that serve athletes, students and fans alike. Our experience includes collegiate stadium renovations, practice facilities, recreation centers and support spaces where occupant comfort, ventilation, energy efficiency and operational reliability are critical. We design systems that perform under varying occupancy demands while supporting long-term facility operations.
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Education

HHB Engineers has partnered with colleges, universities and institutional clients to deliver engineering solutions across a wide range of campus facilities. Beyond traditional academic and administrative buildings, our experience includes laboratories, dining facilities, archival storage, libraries, performing arts venues and museums. We understand the unique environmental, code and operational requirements of each building type and develop systems that support learning, research and campus life for years to come.
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Government

HHB Engineers has extensive experience serving government clients at the federal, state and local levels, including GSA, military installations and the National Park Service. We understand the specialized requirements of public-sector projects, from security and resiliency to phased construction and strict regulatory compliance. Our team delivers mechanical engineering solutions that balance performance, sustainability and long-term value while meeting the needs of occupied government facilities.
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Historic Renovations

Historic buildings require engineering solutions that preserve architectural character while protecting historically and culturally significant landmarks for future generations. HHB Engineers has been involved in the preservation, renovation, and restoration of historic office buildings, colleges and universities, federal facilities, military properties, and sites significant to the Civil Rights Movement. We design modern HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems within existing building constraints, improving building performance while respecting the integrity, heritage, and cultural significance of these important structures.
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Specialized Facilities

Specialized facilities present unique engineering challenges that demand customized solutions and careful coordination. HHB Engineers has successfully completed projects including laboratories, central plants, fire stations, dining facilities, student centers, research environments, and other specialty buildings, designing unique mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection systems that support the mission and functionality of each facility.
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Mechanical Upgrades

HHB Engineers specializes in complex mechanical system upgrades that extend the life and improve the performance of existing facilities. Serving as both the mechanical engineer and Prime A/E when appropriate, we coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage projects through every phase of design and construction. Our experience includes phased renovations, HVAC replacements and infrastructure improvements completed with minimal disruption to ongoing building operations.
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Let’s start your next project.

Contact Us
1490 Northbank Parkway, Suite 270
Tuscaloosa, AL, 35406
205-650-4000
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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.