J. Budd Hipp Jr., a Charlotte, NC native, graduated from North Carolina State University’s Mechanical Engineering program in 1984. Budd began his career with General Electric in the Apparatus and Engineering Services group, supporting turbine-generator installations and the field design of industrial piping systems. In 1989, he transitioned into consulting, initially as a mechanical design engineer specializing in HVAC systems, then advancing into project management for clean industries, including Microelectronics/Wafer FAB and FDA-regulated facilities. Budd earned his professional engineering license in 1991.

In 2001, Budd founded HIPP Design + Consulting (formerly Hipp Engineering & Consulting, Inc.), which has since grown into a multi-office, national firm serving the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Under his leadership, HIPP has earned numerous state and national accolades, including the Greater Raleigh Chamber Pinnacle Award, The Zweig Letter Hot Firm Award, and ACEC Engineering Excellence Award. Recently, HIPP was honored as TBJ Life Sciences Company of the Year (2024) and TBJ Fast 50 Company (2024) and received the ENR Texas Facility of the Year award in 2023. The firm continues to lead large-scale, impactful life sciences projects, including North Carolina’s largest life science facility as of 2024, with projects reaching values up to $4.2 billion.

Recognizing the need for specialized industry staffing, Budd expanded the business with HIPP Workforce Solutions, which provides talent and staffing solutions to support clients’ evolving workforce needs, specifically within high-demand sectors such as engineering, life sciences, and construction management.

Today, Budd’s role as President emphasizes business development, client relations, and supporting client master planning and project planning efforts. Together, HIPP Design + Consulting and HIPP Workforce Solutions offer a comprehensive approach to meet clients’ design and workforce requirements. HIPP’s portfolio spans a diverse range of complex projects, from laboratories and clean rooms to packaging and pharmaceutical processing and utility systems. HIPP has partnered with major clients, including Merck, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Biogen, Syngenta, and Novozymes.

Budd maintains a strong connection with North Carolina State University, serving on the NC State MAE (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) Advisory Committee and mentoring students through the Goodnight Fellowship program. All three of Budd’s children are proud NC State graduates, continuing the family’s legacy with the university.

Budd is professionally licensed in NC, GA, SC, VA, and TX, and actively contributes to the industry as a member of organizations including ISPE, ASHRAE, ASME, NFPA, ACEC, and NCHEA.