Our Story
PES was founded in Atlanta in 1988, and since then, we have worked in close partnership with architects, developers, design-builders, general contractors, institutions and government agencies to develop long-term relationships with our clients.
We have experienced steady growth since our formation, which is directly attributable to client loyalty and repeat business. PES is one of the largest single discipline structural engineering firms on the east coast, with offices in Atlanta, GA and Hartford, CT.
Our Team
Abhinav Mohanakrishnan, P.E.
Project Engineer

Abhinav Mohanakrishnan, P.E.
Project Engineer
While growing up in India, Abhinav had the opportunity to see a lot of infrastructure development. That exposure, coupled with traveling to places around the world with fascinating architecture and engineering, like Egypt, Dubai, and Singapore, helped plant the seed to be a part of the design industry. Hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Abhinav earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from SRM University in his home country and received his master’s in Civil/Structural Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Go AGGIES!!
Prior to joining PES, he worked for a structural engineering firm specializing in single-family residential design in Arizona. Abhinav's wife is pursuing her medical residency and received a fellowship with Emory University prompting their relocation to Atlanta. He is excited to learn from all the experienced staff at PES, which will enable him to enhance his technical abilities and grow as an engineer.
When he is not working, Abhinav enjoys watching movies and television shows and traveling with his wife. They have one on multiple road trips including one from Hartford, CT to NYC just to eat good Indian food. 😊
Fun Fact: “No good movie is too long, and no bad movie is short enough.” - Roger Ebert Abhinav has written reviews for Indian movies, some of which have been published in the local newspaper.
amohanakrishnan@pesengineers.com
Alex Blankenship, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Alex Blankenship, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Growing up, Alex was naturally drawn to creative things, be it through building, drawing, or painting. He found a love for physics and science as he got older, and with its perfect mixture of mathematics and visual arts, engineering grabbed his interest.
Born and raised in Athens, Alex attended the University of Georgia where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. While attending UGA, Alex was named the 2019 Engineering Student of the Year by the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE) and was one of six recipients of the 2019 ASCE National Student Leadership Awards. He also served two terms as President of UGA’s ASCE Student Chapter, where he led the chapter to receive first place in UGA Engineer’s Week competitions two years in a row.
He began his career with PES in 2018 when he joined the team as an intern and segued into a full-time staff member in August 2020 as a Design Engineer, where his primary tasks include modeling, analyzing, and designing structural elements for building systems. He enjoys being able to visualize and see his designs be built through the structural model and collaborating with and learning from his team.
When he’s not working, Alex enjoys renovating his house with his fiancé in Athens, skateboarding, and cycling.
Fun Fact: Alex was the first person to ride a fixed-gear track bike from Athens to Savannah in two days. That’s 220 miles!
ablankenship@pesengineers.com
Alex Kosloski, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Alex Kosloski, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager
Alex began his career at PES as a Design Engineer in 2014 after graduating from Clemson University.
Since then, he has worked on a variety of projects including healthcare facilities, senior living facilities, industrial buildings, religious facilities, retail developments, hotels, and higher education facilities involving various structural systems including concrete, steel, and wood.
Alex currently serves as an Assistant Project Manager, responsible for not only doing the heavy engineering work on his projects and transferring that information into the drawings but also working with clients on various coordination issues.
akosloski@pesengineers.com
Amelia Goydich, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Amelia Goydich, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Amelia was first introduced to PES when she attended an American Society of Civil Engineers meeting at Georgia Tech in early 2016. She then started an internship with PES that summer.
After completing her master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2017, she made the decision to join PES full-time as a Project Engineer. Amelia is excited about working with the various software programs PES utilizes for our many projects, as well as learning from our seasoned structural engineers.
Fun Fact: Future HGTV Star! Amelia would one day like to flip a house.
agoydich@pesengineers.com
Amy Sellers, E.I.T.
Project Manager

Amy Sellers, E.I.T.
Project Manager
While looking for a summer internship ahead of starting her Master’s program, Amy found PES and joined us for some summer fun. 10 years later she’s a Project Manager with extensive experience in educational facilities as well as structural renovations and additions, athletic facilities, golf clubhouses, and student housing.
You can typically find Amy managing multiple projects – coordinating with other disciplines, managing project engineers, reviewing designs and drawings to check for accuracy and proper detailing. She’s very familiar with composite steel & CMU shear wall design and has designed structural systems utilizing concrete, steel, masonry, and wood systems as well. She’s actively involved with the Georgia Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments.
Fun Fact: Was in attendance when the Florida Marlins won their first World Series.
asellers@pesengineers.com
Andrea Goldstein, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Andrea Goldstein, E.I.T.
Project Engineer
Andrea is another one of our interns turned full-timers. She began her internship in May 2015 in our New England office and has been part of the grassroots effort to expand PES in that region.
She joined PES full-time upon the completion of her BS in Architectural Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and has been developing and designing concepts for a variety of projects ranging from automotive dealerships and industrial facilities to multifamily housing and retail developments ever since.
Fun Fact: And you thought it wasn’t real! While at WPI, Andrea was president of the Underwater Hockey club.
agoldstein@pesengineers.com
Anne-Elise Garcia, MAcc, MBA
Assistant Finance Manager

Anne-Elise Garcia, MAcc, MBA
Assistant Finance Manager
Anne-Elise joined PES in August 2021 as our Assistant Finance Manager. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she moved to Atlanta in 1990. She attended Emory University, where she earned her BA in Economics, and later received a Master of Accountancy as well as her MBA from Mercer University. When she’s not working, Anne-Elise enjoys spending time with her kids and going to the beach.
aegarcia@pesengineers.com
Ashley Brammer, P.E., S.E.
Associate | Senior Project Manager

Ashley Brammer, P.E., S.E.
Associate | Senior Project Manager
Originally from Lilburn in Gwinnett County, Ashley made the move back to the ATL after spending eight years in the DC metro area.
She knew PES was the fit for her when she found a company that not only works on really cool projects but is made up of really great people. With a love for math and science, Ashley attended Virginia Tech where she earned her BS and MS degrees in civil engineering with a concentration in structures.
As a Senior Project Manager, her primary responsibilities include managing and assisting with the design in the day-to-day operations of projects internally with engineering as well as externally with clients. Ashley is well-versed in mild and post-tensioned concrete, steel, masonry, and wood. When she’s not at the office, you can find Ashley spending time with her kids, Emma and Everett, biking, or running.
Fun Fact: Just keep running! Prior to having her daughter, Ashley was very into long-distance running and triathlons. She’s even completed a half Ironman distance triathlon!
abrammer@pesengineers.com
Austin Lucas, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Austin Lucas, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Austin moved to Johns Creek at the age of five. He recently graduated from Kennesaw State University, earning his bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, and will pursue his master’s degree. He worked mostly in steel design while in school, was on the Dean’s list three times, and the President’s list once in the last two years.
He’s excited to work at PES, where he can improve as an engineer and learn as much as he can. When he’s not working, Austin enjoys playing hockey, rugby, fishing, and wants to get into motorcycles.
Fun Fact: He has a sulfur-headed moray eel as a pet, which lives in a tank he designed and built from scratch.
alucas@pesengineers.com
Cari Gerrits, CPSM
Business Development Manager

Cari Gerrits, CPSM
Business Development Manager

Cari Gerrits, CPSM brings over 25 years of experience in business development and marketing experience to PES.
Whether she’s rolling up her sleeves and doing marketing research, working with our clients on a project pursuit, or building consensus for whatever she’s been tasked with, Cari’s primary focus is client service. Her mission is to connect clients to the solutions for the issues that keep them up at night. Or better yet, to find ways to make sure they aren’t kept up in the first place.
Fun Fact: Favorite book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
cgerrits@pesengineers.com
Chad Boyea, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate | Senior Project Manager

Chad Boyea, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate | Senior Project Manager
What started out as a summer job building houses with his father’s residential construction company turned into a career for Chad. After building a home from the ground up off a set of drawings, he was hooked. As Chad puts it, “I applied to colleges as an architecture major but quickly realized my mathematical skills were much stronger than my artistic skills and structural engineering was where I belonged.”
He’s now a Senior Project Manager on a host of project types ranging from hotels, manufacturing and distribution facilities, office buildings, retail developments, educational facilities, to healthcare facilities and historic preservation projects. He’s well versed in working with structural systems involving concrete, masonry, and steel design.
Chad’s an active member of ACI Committee 360 – Guide to Design of Slabs-on-Ground and ACI Committee 302 – Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction. The diversity of project types is something that Chad likes about his project management role. It means there’s always something new to learn, a new challenge to solve.
Fun Fact: Outside of work, you can find him spending time with his wife, three girls, and golden retriever, riding his bike, hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking, and the list goes on…
cboyea@pesengineers.com
Chad Forster, P.E., S.E.
Principal

Chad Forster, P.E., S.E.
Principal
Chad serves as a Principal in the Atlanta office and is a 16 year veteran of the firm. His structural design expertise includes a wide variety of projects ranging from assisted and senior living facilities, healthcare projects, religious facilities, multi-family housing, office buildings, hospitality projects, and industrial facilities utilizing various structural systems including concrete, masonry, steel, and wood. He coordinates and oversees the work of Project Managers and Engineers within his team for all projects. Chad is also responsible for the firm’s financials and IT Department. He’s actively involved with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia and the Structural Engineers Association of Georgia.
A 2004 graduate of the University of Florida, Chad lives in Peachtree Corners with his wife Lauren and their three children Grant, Ben, and Isabelle. When he’s not busy at PES you can find him hiking, camping, enjoying Gator sports, or chasing his kids around.
Fun Fact: W-I-N-N-E-R. Chad won his elementary school spelling bee in 5th grade.
cforster@pesengineers.com
Daniel Koch, P.E., MBA
Project Engineer

Daniel Koch, P.E., MBA
Project Engineer
Although his original goal was to be an architect, Daniel was encouraged by many to pursue Structural Engineering first and Architecture as a Master's. All these years later he never pursued Architecture, but he has not looked back (and he is far better at math/physics than sketching). He enjoys solving complex problems and seeing his work rise from the ground.
Born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, Daniel received his bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at the University of Vermont, a master’s of Civil Engineering (Structures) from the University of Florida, and most recently earned his MBA at the University of Florida.
He is proficient in steel and concrete design, detailing structural models in a variety of programs, blast, and penetration design, and is looking forward to putting these skills to work as a Project Engineer at PES. He will work with architects and contractors on schedule, budget, and coordination through construction, finding efficiencies and ways to exploit them to perform expeditiously and provide higher quality work.
When he’s not hard at work, Daniel enjoys anything outdoors including mountain biking, hiking, and competing in triathlons, practicing martial arts (he has two second-degree black belts, one in karate and one in Jiu-Jitsu), cooking, and programming.
Fun Fact: Earlier this spring Daniel was a co-author on a white paper about the Chicago Building Code changes that was published in the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) journal (https://store.ctbuh.org/other-books/235-chicago-building-code-modernization-comparison-of-prototype-building-designs.html)
dkoch@pesengineers.com
Daniel Silvestri, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Daniel Silvestri, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager
Fun Fact: If you build it, they will come! Daniel participates in the National Student Steel Bridge Competition and aspires to one day become a judge for the competition.
770-457-5923, ext. 226
dsilvestri@pesengineers.com
David Aucoin, P.E., S.E.
Principal

David Aucoin, P.E., S.E.
Principal

David serves as a Principal and is a 15 year veteran of the firm. As the leader of the New England office, he handles a wide variety of projects from new construction of mixed-use and multi-family residential to very complicated manufacturing and distribution warehousing projects requiring high levels of coordination, as well as renovation and adaptive reuse for community and commercial buildings.
He serves as Co-Chair of the Joint SEI-CASE Committee on Building Information Modeling and is active in the Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. David received his Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1998 and his Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2005.
He resides in West Hartford with his wife Marybeth and their three children, Anslea, Carter, and Hadley. When David is not in the office, you can likely find him on the soccer field where he enjoys coaching various youth teams and even playing when possible.
Fun Fact: Has been hit by three cars – driven by three different people – and fortunately was left relatively unscathed by each encounter…at least he lived to talk about each of them.
daucoin@pesengineers.com
David Greenwood, P.E.
Project Manager

David Greenwood, P.E.
Project Manager
Although David comes from a family of engineers, it was his interest in the design process of building construction projects that really pulled him into the engineering profession.
What he enjoys most about his role at PES is how he can balance the engineering work with the customer service aspect of his role as a Project Manager. David often works with architects and contractors and relishes the opportunity to assist them through the engineering process with as much ease as possible.
Regardless of the type of project, rest assured David is always interested in finding the best solution for whatever challenge each project presents.
Fun Fact: He is the standing 2001 District 5, Publix bagging champion – undisputed and undefeated!
dgreenwood@pesengineers.com
Daysiry Rodriguez
Design Engineer

Daysiry Rodriguez
Design Engineer
While growing up in the Dominican Republic, Daysiry used to tell her mom that one day she would design a big building for children without homes. This love for helping others coupled with her curiosity to learn and challenge herself drove her passion for civil engineering.
Daysiry attended the Florida Institute of Technology, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering followed by her master’s in Structural Design. After college, she did not understand how important it is to be in a healthy and balanced work environment. The diversity, community outreach, and the company’s mission to provide the best service not only to its clients but to its employees are what drew her to join PES.
In the future, Daysiry would like to obtain her P.E. license and be a part of the leadership at The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), where she could encourage more women to be a part of the engineering industry.
When she is not working, Daysiry enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and finding new places to eat!
Fun Fact: Traveling since she was seven years old, Daysiry recently traveled to Cusco, Peru, where she taught English to low-income children for a week and had the opportunity to travel to amazing scenic places including Rainbow Mountain, which sits at 17,000 feet above sea level and takes up to five hours to hike one way.
drodriguez@pesengineers.com
Erik Swerdlow, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate

Erik Swerdlow, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate

Erik serves as a Senior Associate in the Atlanta office and is a 15 year veteran of the firm.
A 2000 graduate of the University of Florida, Erik has over 19 years of experience in the structural design of multi-family developments ranging from garden-style to podium to high-rise, mixed-use developments, golf, and country clubs, and educational facilities involving various structural systems including timber, concrete, steel, and masonry. He’s passionate about timber construction, including the innovations of mass timber and its use in building design. Currently serving as a Senior Associate, he coordinates and oversees the work of Project Managers and Engineers within his team for all projects. His responsibilities also include managing the design processes of various projects and working on a day-to-day basis with clients.
An avid learner, Erik frequently attends various industry events, like Bisnow, to gain knowledge on all the facets of development, not just engineering. Erik and his wife Amanda live in suburban Atlanta with their sons Jonah and Ethan who keep them busy with Cub Scouts, high school band, and the general wildness of two boys.
Fun Fact: The Force is strong in this one…he’s a big Star Wars enthusiast.
eswerdlow@pesengineers.com
Hope Youngblood
Assistant Finance Manager

Hope Youngblood
Assistant Finance Manager
Hope Youngblood joins PES as an Assistant Finance Manager. Hope is an Atlanta native and attended Georgia State University, earning her degree in Business. She owned her own real estate investment company for over 15 years, and as it grew, accounting became her biggest interest and expertise. She has two grown sons – Eric and Blake – and currently lives in McDonough.
When she’s not working, Hope enjoys spending time with family, traveling, attending sporting events, working out, and being at the beach.
Fun Fact: Hope was a movie extra for several years and met lots of great people!
hyoungblood@pesengineers.com
Hunter Chitty, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Hunter Chitty, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Hunter joined PES as a Design Engineer back in September 2021. He attended Auburn University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and most recently earned his master’s degree in Structural Engineering. He gained experience using finite element modeling to perform linear and nonlinear analysis during his time as a Graduate Research Assistant. He also traveled to Tyndall AFB to perform on-site instrumentation. When he’s not working, Hunter enjoys playing golf, tennis, and basketball, going fishing, and cooking.
hchitty@pesengineers.com
Jenni Yoon, P.E., S.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Jenni Yoon, P.E., S.E.
Assistant Project Manager
Jenni is an Assistant Project Manager here at PES. Over the course of her 15-year tenure, she has provided design services on projects both large and small for educational facilities, hospitality projects, retail developments, and religious facilities. Her most recent project experience includes Forsyth County’s Denmark High School and SkyVue Lansing, a mixed-use development in Michigan.
As an Assistant Project Manager, Jenni is a leader who gets the job done! She is responsible for the quality of work performed, client services, staff utilization as well as monitoring the project’s profitability and scope. She graduated with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and then made her way to Atlanta in 2005.
Fun Fact: Super Mom! Not only is Jenni one heck of an engineer, but she also has three beautiful kiddos. It’s worth noting that while she was 24 weeks pregnant with her first child, Jenni took and passed the PE exam. And on her first try too.
jyoon@pesengineers.com
Jennifer Brigante, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Jennifer Brigante, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Jennifer joined PES as a Design Engineer in August 2021. Originally from Woodbine, Maryland, she attended Clemson University where she recently graduated with her MS in Structural Engineering and received her BS in Civil Engineering. Jennifer heard about PES when Mikayla gave a presentation to her graduating class in the spring of 2020. Her master’s thesis, Costs of Implementing Design for Adaptability Strategies in Wood-Framed Multi-Family Housing, is currently in the works to be published in an ASCE journal. She is excited to start her career and apply the knowledge she gleaned from her undergrad and graduate courses to real-life projects. Since she’s new to Atlanta, she’s eager to explore the city and spend some time outside with Maisy, her dalmatian.
Fun Fact: Jennifer’s family raised bison along with many other livestock animals on their farm in Maryland. She was also in the Howard County 4H for 14 years!
jbrigante@pesengineers.com
Joe Kenney, P.E., M.L.S.E.
Project Manager

Joe Kenney, P.E., M.L.S.E.
Project Manager

Whether wood, steel, concrete, moment frames, braced frames or other structural systems, Joe’s main focus is designing a structural system that complies with engineering principles and building code regulations while meeting the architects' or clients' needs.
As a Project Manager, he’s involved with his projects from design all the way through construction. From start to finish, Joe’s hands-on approach allows him to work collaboratively on a wide array of projects giving him a broad knowledge base to apply to your next engineering challenge.
Fun Fact: Big hockey player and fan whose favorite team is the Boston Bruins
jkenney@pesengineers.com
Kelsey Hammond, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Kelsey Hammond, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Following an internship that began in 2017 in our New England office, Kelsey joined the firm’s full-time staff in Atlanta during the summer of 2019 following her graduation from Smith College. At Smith, she received her BS in Engineering Science and minor in Architecture & Urbanism.
Kelsey was first introduced to engineering at a young age by her uncle, a civil engineering professor, and knew structural engineering was the perfect fit because of her love for math and science. Her primary responsibilities at PES include creating three-dimensional building models and drawing sets as a Design Engineer. When she’s not at work, Kelsey enjoys traveling, taking ballet classes, and doing any type of craft project.
Fun Fact: She loves bubble tea (which she has tried in eight different countries, so far), and hopes to visit Iceland in the near future.
khammond@pesengineers.com
Lindsay Durden, CBOM
Office Manager

Lindsay Durden, CBOM
Office Manager
Lindsay is PES’s Office Manager and her duties are varied and very important. From scheduling meetings, keeping track of the firm and staff licenses, maintaining the professional development hour logs, coordinating our internal lunch and learn program, and all the other things she’s called upon to do, she keeps us all up and running on a day to day basis. And she’s a whiz at Excel which comes in super handy too.
Fun Fact: She’s a member of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
ldurden@pesengineers.com
Lindsay Schneider, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Lindsay Schneider, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Lindsay is our latest summer intern turned full-time Design Engineer. She recently graduated from Georgia Tech with her MS in Structural Engineering, where she also received her BS in Civil Engineering as well as a minor in Spanish.
Originally from Maryland, Lindsay moved to Suwanee, Georgia when she was 10 years old. She’s excited to see projects progress from design to construction to a completed building. And when she’s not working, Lindsay enjoys reading, baking, and doing gymnastics.
Fun Fact: Quiet on the set! Lindsay was a background extra in three movies and two television shows during college.
lschneider@pesengineers.com
Lisa Smith
Manager of Finance

Lisa Smith
Manager of Finance
Lisa serves as the Manager of Finance for PES and has been with the firm since 1998. She oversees and manages all financial aspects of the firm and is responsible for accounts payable | receivable, payroll, billing, other accounting tasks, and human resources. She lives in Metro Atlanta with her husband, Earl, and enjoys gardening, traveling, and Alabama football. #ROLLTIDE
770-457-5923, ext. 230
lsmith@pesengineers.com
Liweng Manzano, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Liweng Manzano, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Liweng joined PES as a Design Engineer back in September 2021. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Jose attended Georgia Southern University where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. He has experience with SAP2000 as well as LiDAR and photogrammetry and was part of the AISC Steel Bridge Competition team, where the bridge he worked on won 7th overall in the Southeast and 1st in Aesthetics in 2021. When he’s not working, Liweng enjoys going to museums, public parks, and playing with his Shetland Sheepdog, Max.
Fun Fact: Liweng was a Visual Arts major while in high school, specializing in oil painting.
lmanzano@pesengineers.com
Mary Didier, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Mary Didier, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Mary joined PES as a Design Engineer in October 2021. Born and raised in Atlanta, she attended Georgia Tech where she received her B.S. in Civil Engineering and will return in the Fall of 2022 to start on her Masters in Structural Engineering. Mary first heard about PES during an info session on the Tech campus and reconnected with us after working in construction for a little while after graduation. She is very knowledgeable about the overall construction industry and construction administration tasks and studied steel design in school. When she’s not working, Mary enjoys running, spending time with her family and friends (and pets), trying new restaurants around the city, and traveling.
Fun Fact: Mary has an exceptional ability for finding (and sometimes keeping) stray cats. Her current count is seven!
mdidier@pesengineers.com
Mary Jo Butcher
Marketing Manager

Mary Jo Butcher
Marketing Manager
Mary Jo started her career at PES in 2006 as an Administrative Assistant and regularly volunteered to help with various Marketing events and client activities. Over time, she has used her proactive attitude and organizational knowledge to effectively shift into her role as Marketing Manager.
In addition to her heavy involvement in the many client-focused events at PES, Mary Jo is active in the Atlanta Chapter of SMPS. She has been involved with the Membership Committee, has served as the Director-at-Large of Sponsorship and Co-Director-at-Large of Communications, and is now President-Elect for the chapter. She also serves on the Shoot for Success Planning Committee and was previously a Co-Chair of Sponsorship for the SMPS Southeast Regional Conference (2018 and 2019).
Fun Fact: Once broke her ankle in two places during a competitive round of putt-putt golf.
mbutcher@pesengineers.com
Matthew Sweeney, P.E., S.E.
Production Technology | Innovation Manager

Matthew Sweeney, P.E., S.E.
Production Technology | Innovation Manager
As the Production Technology | Innovation Manager for PES, Matt has over 15 years of experience in structural engineering design and consulting for public and private clients on a wide array of project types ranging from education facilities to retail facilities. His experience includes design in concrete, steel, masonry, and wood structures.
Currently serving as PES’s BIM Program Manager, he has adopted Revit as the preferred project document and delivery tool. His focus is to provide BIM production support, internal Revit training, research and development of BIM strategies for future business services, and to support BIM marketing and business development initiatives.
Matt works with the A/E/C community to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions for projects while managing the changes in the processes that have to occur in order for the successful implementation of Revit.
Fun Fact: Has ridden his mountain bike offroad 350 miles across the North Georgia Mountains from South Carolina to Alabama in less than 2 ½ days.
msweeney@pesengineers.com
Michael Planer, P.E., S.E.
Principal | President

Michael Planer, P.E., S.E.
Principal | President
As President of PES, Michael is responsible for the overall operations of the firm, ensuring that each project is staffed with the best professionals for the job.
Throughout the course of his 34-year career, Michael’s worked on just about every type of project out there and his expertise includes the design of structural systems requiring steel, masonry, timber, prestressed concrete, and reinforced concrete members. In addition to his design experience, he’s actively involved with both the Structural Engineers Association of Georgia and the Council of American Structural Engineers.
Fun Fact: Shares the same birthday with his idol – Thomas Alva Edison.
mplaner@pesengineers.com
Mikayla Bladow, P.E., S.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Mikayla Bladow, P.E., S.E.
Assistant Project Manager
As a little girl growing up in Fort Collins, Colorado, Mikayla was always interested in building things. As she grew older, this love transferred over into designing structures that get built and that people utilize every day. Mikayla joined PES in June 2016 after receiving both her MS and BS degrees from Clemson University.
Her current responsibilities as an Assistant Project Manager revolve around the implementation of design concepts to be incorporated into the final product. When she’s not at the office, Mikayla enjoys cooking and being outdoors as much as possible.
Fun Fact: Once had the opportunity to hike the Swiss Alps. And did just that!
mbladow@pesengineers.com
Mike Lenk, P.E.
Project Engineer

Mike Lenk, P.E.
Project Engineer
Mike joined PES’s New England office as Project Engineer in September 2021. Raised in the Springfield, Ohio area, Mike attended The Ohio State University where he received a BS in Civil Engineering and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He has over seven years of experience and specializes in steel and concrete design. He enjoys working on a wide variety of projects and the challenges that each one brings. When he isn’t working, Mike enjoys snowboarding, playing basketball, golf, and hiking.
Fun Fact: Seeing double! Mike is an identical twin.
mlenk@pesengineers.com
Nancy Varughese, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Nancy Varughese, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Having joined PES in November 2021, Nancy Varughese is a Design Engineer with two years of experience in the design of wood-framed structures, specifically multi-family housing. Born and raised in Dallas, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her BS in Architectural Engineering. She received her MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. The diversity of projects, the organization, leadership style, and overall values are what drew Nancy to PES. In the future, Nancy wants to obtain her PE license as well as grow her project management skills. When she’s not working, she volunteers with her church, is involved in mentorship programs with young girls, and babysits her nephew.
Fun Fact: Spike the ball! Nancy played volleyball in high school (even though she wasn't the best).
nvarughese@pesengineers.com
Nathan Foust, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Nathan Foust, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager
As a life-long problem solver and builder of things, Nathan was drawn to architecture and the built environment while attending college and found that structural engineering was the perfect way to use his skills.
Growing up in Nashville, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and a minor in German. He went on to earn a master’s in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Nathan was drawn to PES’s forward-thinking and innovative culture while he was looking to relocate earlier this summer. As an Assistant Project Manager with experience managing projects, he can coordinate design and details with the client and other engineers while completing day-to-day engineering design. He has worked with a wide variety of structural systems and materials, including mass timber as well as unique and atypical conditions that require more complex structural analysis. He was also a featured speaker at the 2016 Tennessee Engineers’ Conference, where he presented an Introduction to Cross-Laminated Timber Construction.
When he’s not at the office, Nathan enjoys reading, traveling, and working on home improvement projects.
Fun Fact: He has visited ALL 95 counties and county courthouses in the state of Tennessee!
nfoust@pesengineers.com
Neal Turbow, P.E., S.E.
Project Manager

Neal Turbow, P.E., S.E.
Project Manager
Lured to PES by a friendly workforce and an intriguing mix of projects in regard to both size and type, Neal serves as a Project Manager. In this role, he is responsible for managing projects under the guidance of the PIC and is heavily involved with the design and modeling of projects, as well as collaborating with the client during the preliminary design, construction drawing, and construction administration phases. His project experience runs the gamut from industrial to retail and all points in between. Neal’s real talent is that he’s always thinking – thinking of a new way to solve an old problem or a new way to solve a new problem.
Fun Fact: Is a half IRONMAN. He has completed 2 half-ironman races and will be racing his third in 2016.
nturbow@pesengineers.com
Richard Phifer, P.E.
Project Manager

Richard Phifer, P.E.
Project Manager
rphifer@pesengineers.com
Rick Seelos, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
Senior Project Manager

Rick Seelos, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
Senior Project Manager
Rick joined our Atlanta office in August 2021 and is a seasoned structural engineer with 26 years of experience, specifically in Utah in a high seismic and high snow area, and joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Utah where he also taught the introductory to steel design course for seven years. He has experience in all forms of construction and all construction materials. He also has experience working in the mining industry and working for a contractor as the lead structural quality control for a $1 billion government data center. Rick lives in Johns Creek with his wife Kaylene and their five children. In his spare time, he enjoys building things, which includes electronics, creating cosplay outfits for his kids, smelting aluminum, extruding plastic, and is currently building a plastic injection molder.
Fun Fact: Although he doesn’t look like it now, he was captain of his high school swim team. Freestyle and breaststroke were his preferred strokes.
rseelos@pesengineers.com
Rourk Marlow, P.E.
Project Engineer

Rourk Marlow, P.E.
Project Engineer
Originally applying to colleges to pursue architecture, Rourk decided engineering was a better fit for him the more he did his research. Raised in Malone, New York, Rourk watched his dad, a contractor and project manager, open the door to the design/build world to him and his brothers. He watched his dad build their family’s house and worked for him on a steel installation crew, one of his first jobs.
He attended the University of Hartford and received his BS in Civil Engineering in 2017. He moved back to New York after college, working in the Albany area for four years before making the move to Connecticut in March 2021. Rourk has experience in steel and cast-in-place concrete design and has worked on large distribution warehouses during his structural engineering career.
He recently became a licensed Professional Engineer in Connecticut and plans to pursue his SE designation in the future. When he’s not working, Rourk enjoys various outdoor activities, going to the beach, club sports, fishing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
Fun Fact: Rourk has an identical twin brother who is also a practicing structural engineer.
rmarlow@pesengineers.com
Ryan Krusko, P.E., S.E.
Project Engineer

Ryan Krusko, P.E., S.E.
Project Engineer

First interested in construction, and then through several internships, Ryan discovered that structural engineering was the best career for him. He attended Georgia Tech and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in May 2016. He is currently working on his master’s degree in Civil Engineering through NC State University’s Distance Learning program.
Upon graduating from GT, he moved to Miami, where he had the opportunity to learn about designing structures for wind in high-velocity hurricane zones. He’s excited about being able to work on projects that have a positive impact on the community and having the opportunity to make significant contributions to projects while also learning from accomplished engineers and project managers.
When he’s not working, Ryan enjoys playing ice hockey and tennis, traveling to the beach, and attending Braves games. Ryan can be reached at rkrusko@pesengineers.com
Fun Fact: While completing his undergrad while at GT, Ryan spent a semester in Europe and was able to visit 15 different countries.
rkrusko@pesengineers.com
Sandy Pizzoferrato
Administrative Assistant

Sandy Pizzoferrato
Administrative Assistant
Prior to joining PES, Sandy worked in the association management industry and was struck by the similarities it shares with the A/E/C industry. She enjoys working in a service-oriented environment, where building relationships with clients and industry professionals is of utmost importance.
A native of Hartford, Connecticut, Sandy graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Public Communication. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, a variety of outdoor activities from biking to hiking, and attending her daughter’s soccer games.
Fun Fact: “Sincerity knows no barriers of age or nationality. Words spoken out of genuine concern for others strike a powerful chord in people’s hearts.” Sandy belongs to an international peace organization.
spizzoferrato@pesengineers.com
Sarah Scarborough, P.E., S.E.
Associate | Operations Manager

Sarah Scarborough, P.E., S.E.
Associate | Operations Manager
Sarah started her career at PES as an intern and segued into a permanent position upon completion of her degree in 2012. She’s worked on projects ranging from car dealerships and hotels to assisted living facilities.
Sarah is an active member of Georgia’s chapter of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) and is the 2015-2016 Chair of the SEAOG Young Members Group. She’s also one of our instructors in PES’s popular Architect Registration Examination (ARE) review program that’s offered semiannually to our clients preparing for the structures portion of the ARE exam. Her role here at PES is varied, but as they say, variety is the spice of life.
Fun Fact: Runs half marathons. On purpose.
sscarborough@pesengineers.com
Sisay Abebe, P.E.
Project Engineer

Sisay Abebe, P.E.
Project Engineer
Having joined PES in September 2021, Sisay is a licensed PE in five states with over 17 years of experience and serves as a Project Engineer. Born and raised in Ethiopia, he always admired the beauty and the design of buildings, especially when he saw a long, cantilevered structure, thus fueling his dream of becoming an engineer. He attended Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia where he earned his bachelor’s in Civil Engineer. Sisay is excited to work with senior engineers and participate in challenging structural designs at PES. When not at work, Sisay enjoys hiking, riding, and playing chess.
Fun Fact: Checkmate! Sisay is a very good chess player and would like to join one of the chess clubs in Atlanta.
sabebe@pesengineers.com
Stefan Keuller, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
Principal

Stefan Keuller, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
Principal
Stefan is a Principal with over 21 years of project experience. During that time, he’s worked on many types of projects but has taken a strong liking to industrial and manufacturing facilities. He has cultivated relationships with many industry leaders in the Design-Build community ranging from Architects and Contractors to Developers.
Stefan also serves as the sustainable voice of the firm; he’s is a LEED Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council. It’s safe to say, he wears many hats here at PES. But he wears them well, so it’s ok.
Fun Fact: Parle couramment le français. (Translation – Fluent in French)
skeuller@pesengineers.com
Stephen Pettibone
Design Engineer

Stephen Pettibone
Design Engineer
With a love for building things and knowing how they work along with his technical skills and being detail-oriented, Stephen knew the structural engineering field would be a great fit. He grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and attended Kennesaw State University where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. He is currently working on his MS in Civil Engineering from The Citadel.
Stephen knew PES was the place for him in the Spring of 2020 when faculty and students at KSU told him to look at the firm. He was attracted to PES because they care about their employees as individuals, and he would not be just another face. A proficient problem solver, he is excited to make the dream of a building come to fruition.
When he’s not working, Stephen loves rock climbing and all things outdoors, as well as traveling with his wife, eating at new restaurants, and trying new things.
Fun Fact: “Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man”. With a background in gymnastics, Stephen was Spider-Man for children’s birthday parties to help pay for college.
spettibone@pesengineers.com
Steven Tate, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Steven Tate, E.I.T.
Project Engineer
Even though he’s always been interested in engineering, it wasn’t until he had the opportunity to go on a few site visits with the structural group during a Civil Design internship that he knew he wanted to work on the structural side of the business.
Steven is a graduate of the University of Georgia – and PES’s first engineering hire from UGA’s Engineering program – where he received his BS in Civil Engineering and his MS in Engineering with an emphasis in Civil Engineering. His research was focused on composite concrete mixtures utilizing waste tire products to improve impact resistance. He was born and raised in Savannah and when he’s not at work he likes to attend Atlanta United & Braves games as well as travel.
Fun Fact: He helped build and race a concrete canoe as part of UGA’s ASCE Student Chapter. Oh, and GO DAWGS!
state@pesengineers.com
Tracy Bloch, M.S., P.E.
Project Engineer

Tracy Bloch, M.S., P.E.
Project Engineer
Tracy Bloch is our newest Project Engineer, joining the West Hartford office with 13 years of experience in historic building renovations, using primarily timber and steel, as well as engineering façade, equipment, and roofing connections to existing structures.
Born and raised in East Haddam, Connecticut, Tracy attended Central Connecticut State University, where she earned her BS in Engineering Technology. She received her MS in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2015.
Joining PES will give Tracy the opportunity to continue to learn and develop her engineering knowledge while providing high-quality services to clients. When she’s not working, she enjoys working out and swimming at the gym, watching football, and spending time with friends and her dog, Jack.
Fun Fact: As a teenager, Tracy wanted to be an automotive designer working on the exterior design of car prototypes.
tbloch@pesengineers.com
Travis Paul, P.E., S.E.
Principal

Travis Paul, P.E., S.E.
Principal

Travis serves as a Principal of the firm with over 20 years of experience for various types of construction involving steel, concrete, masonry, and timber. His project experience includes the structural design of award-winning golf clubhouses, higher education, multifamily, government buildings, retail, office buildings, and religious facilities.
He has developed many long-lasting relationships with clients due to his commitment to quality work and personal service. In addition to his design work, Travis has always been heavily involved in his team’s projects and will always go the extra mile to make sure that his projects are successful.
Fun Fact: Grew up in the shadow of Florida State; but is a Florida Gator fan (and alum too)
tpaul@pesengineers.com
Van Foster
Federal Program Manager

Van Foster
Federal Program Manager
Van’s charged with helping to develop a successful and focused entity to compete at a high level for federal contracts. He also provides insight into trends and contracting opportunities and heads PES's business development efforts for the Federal Studio. Van works hand in hand with Michael Planer and the rest of the PES team to position the firm with clients and Federal agencies that can benefit from utilizing PES, a certified Small business, for design and construction services. Contact Van to find out how PES can help your company meet or exceed your Small Business goals.
Fun Fact: A proud Veteran of the United States Air Force
vfoster@pesengineers.com
William Shirley, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

William Shirley, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Drawn to math and science at a young age, coupled with the fact that his dad was a math teacher, and his grandfather was a software engineer, William was always fascinated with the built environment. He settled on structural engineering as a career after taking structures classes during undergrad.
Originally from Marietta, William attended the University of Georgia where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering in 2020 and an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering-Structural emphasis in 2021. During his time at UGA, he was involved with the ASCE student chapter, the GA chapter of the Structural Engineering Institute, a member of Tau Beta Pi, and served as the leader of his Capstone Senior Design Project Team. He was also a 2021 CMAA-SAC scholarship recipient.
Working on a wide range of projects and learning to design with different building materials is what excites William the most about joining PES. In the future, he aspires to obtain his SE license and become more involved with professional organizations including SEAOG and ASCE. When he’s not working, he enjoys anything outdoors – hiking, camping, and mountain biking. He also enjoys jiu-jitsu, playing chess, and watching movies.
Fun Fact: William was the only UGA fan that watched the Dawgs win the 2021 National Championship at a local pizzeria in the Galapagos Islands.
wshirley@pesengineers.com