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 Bragg, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Alex Bragg, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Like Grandfather, like Grandson. Alex followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by not only becoming an engineer but also by attending Southern Poly, his alma mater too.
As an Assistant Project Manager, Alex is providing modeling and design work for many PES projects, primarily in the mixed-use and multifamily sectors. His ability to meet design challenges by breaking them down into individual elements so they can be solved in the most efficient way helps the internal PES delivery team deliver high-quality designs to our clients.
Fun Fact: Has had two surgeries because of Frisbee-related injuries. (This is not a typo.)
abragg@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
Alex Vega
Design Engineer

Alex Vega
Design Engineer
Alex was drawn to the building construction industry after seeing his dad work with beautiful houses all his life as a painter. learning in college about the mechanical properties of construction materials like steel and concrete only intrigued him more.
Born and raised in Atlanta, he attended Georgia Tech and recently earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Alex interned with PES before becoming full-time in early May and has been assisting the team with structural modeling on a variety of projects. In his current role as a Design Engineer, Alex will continue to collaborate with the team to create high-quality structural drawings through modeling, analysis, and design.
When he is not working, you can typically find Alex hanging out with his dog, Richard, hiking, or honing his cooking skills.
Fun Fact: Three strikes….you’re outta here! Alex spent a week umpiring some of the best little league teams in the country in Cooperstown, New York, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
770-457-5923, ext. 225
avega@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 grass roots 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
Ashley Brammer, P.E., S.E.
Project Manager

Ashley Brammer, P.E., S.E.
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 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
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.
Senior Associate | Senior Project Manager

Chad Boyea, P.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 PES 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 working with structural systems involving concrete, masonry and steel design.
Chad’s an active member 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: He is a member of a cycling club called the Briarcliff Bonzai. The group rides at 6:00 AM almost every weekday, requiring a wakeup call of 5:00 AM. The arrival of his daughter has slowed him down a little but he still managed to log close to 2500 miles in 2015.
cboyea@pesengineers.com
Chad Forster, P.E.
Principal

Chad Forster, P.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. Currently serving as a Studio Director, 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 Brookhaven 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
Christan Money
Production Administrator

Christan Money
Production Administrator
As Production Administrator, Christan takes on any and all responsibilities related to keeping project teams up and running. This includes setting up projects, contract administration and assisting with project documents. In short, she makes sure our technical staff has the support and tools in place to serve our clients and deliver amazing designs. She may be a little bit behind the scenes but her role is critical to smooth operations at PES.
Fun Fact: Once won second place – and $100 – in a karaoke contest.
cmoney@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 Schafer, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Daniel Schafer, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Fun Fact: In a previous life, he worked as a lifeguard.
770-457-5923, ext. 258
dschafer@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.
Principal

David Aucoin, P.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
Donnell Grantham, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Donnell Grantham, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

As a young boy growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell enjoyed going to various sub-contracting jobs with his uncles and grandfather. His love for the business followed him to college, where, while attending Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University), he earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
Donnell found himself enjoying his structural class more and more while studying architecture; so much so that he enrolled in classes at Southern Polytechnic State University and obtained his master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering. He likes being a part of a team that creates structures that affect the lives of people each day; one of the many reasons why he chose to work at PES. Donnell aspires to earn his S.E. designation soon.
Fun Fact: Donnell has visited Japan twice in his life – once during the World Children’s Baseball Fair and then while participating in Temple University Japan’s study abroad program.
dgrantham@pesengineers.com
Drew Smith, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Drew Smith, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Drew joined PES in the summer of 2015 after graduating from the University of Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
As an Assistant Project Manager, Drew is responsible for the execution, quality, and accuracy of projects, ensuring that his clients’ needs are met and that their projects are delivered on time. He provides analysis and design work for projects primarily in the K-12 sector and is involved with the Georgia Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments (GA4LE).
dsmith@pesengineers.com
Erik Swerdlow, P.E.
Senior Associate

Erik Swerdlow, P.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 Studio Director, 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
Graham Brasic, P.E.
Project Manager

Graham Brasic, P.E.
Project Manager

Graham began his career at PES as a Design Engineer in 2011 and currently serves as a Project Manager on a variety of projects including senior living facilities, higher education facilities, high-rise apartment buildings, corporate office developments, and various other facilities involving various structural systems including concrete, steel, and wood.
He currently serves as an Associate Member of the Flood Resistant Design and Construction Standard Committee of SEI for the Development of ASC# 24-20 and as an Associate Member of the Floor Loads Subcommittee for the Development of Chapter 5 of ASCE 7-22.
gbrasic@pesengineers.com
Jenni Yoon, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Jenni Yoon, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager
Jenni is an Assistant Project Manager here at PES. Over the course of her 10-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
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
Jermaine Jones, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Jermaine Jones, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Jermaine was drawn to the design and construction industry from an early age – he built things out of anything around the house – from Legos® to cardboard to construction paper. Getting to a finished product always gave him satisfaction.
Born in Decatur and raised in Stone Mountain, Jermaine attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville before coming home to attend Kennesaw State University – Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He joined PES for an internship his Spring semester and took a full-time position as a Design Engineer upon his recent graduation.
Jermaine enjoys learning something new literally every day while he’s at work and aspires to motivate the people around him to be more productive and to pursue their goals.
Fun Fact: Jermaine is the first male in his family to graduate from college and when he’s not producing structural designs, he loves playing basketball and producing beats.
jjones@pesengineers.com
John O'Brien, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate | Director of Engineering

John O'Brien, P.E., S.E.
Senior Associate | Director of Engineering

John joined PES in 2006 and now serves as our Director of Engineering. In this role he makes sure we are at the forefront of structural engineering design, technology, and building code application. To do so, John and other staff members participate in national industry groups where they interact with other industry leaders to help shape the direction of the structural engineering community.
John is an active member of the NCSEA Wind Engineering Code Advisory Committee and an associate member of the ASCE 7 Wind Loads Subcommittee. These committees are involved in the review and development of building code provisions as they relate to all aspects of wind design, from the overall plan for the primary structural system to the detailed attachment of components and cladding to the building envelope. John is also involved with national and local committees for Special Inspections and Quality Assurance, and Structural Engineering Emergency Response (SEER) for post-disaster assessment of buildings.
Additionally, John serves as a firm-wide resource to our staff to facilitate creative structural solutions for challenging projects, conducts in-house training to keep our engineers up to date on the latest changes affecting the design community, and serves as a mentor as well.
Fun Fact: John is a NO MEAT ATHLETE…ie he uses his vegan lifestyle to fuel his performance in various endurance sports.
jobrien@pesengineers.com
Jordan Smith
BIM Designer

Jordan Smith
BIM Designer

The ability to design a 3D building and apply all its information to help better understand what it takes to design a building from the foundation and up is what pulled Jordan into the world of BIM Design.
His knack for quickly translating design information from paper to computer and then providing full construction documents to their design ideas is what he enjoys most about his role on PES project teams. He knows too that what he designs on the computer is what contractors will use out on the field to construct a building. Accuracy is critical, as is Jordan’s role as a BIM Designer.
Fun Fact: Will Volunteer for Beer – enjoys volunteering at local beer festivals to support charities.
jsmith@pesengineers.com
Juan Ocampo, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Juan Ocampo, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

When he was younger, Juan liked drawing and the concept of designing something, which peaked his interest in architecture. Becoming more technically oriented as he progressed through school, he began leaning more towards engineering.
Juan attended Georgia Tech, where he earned both of his degrees (BS in Civil Engineering; MS in Structural Engineering) and met representatives from PES while attending a career fair on campus. Putting high importance on a positive work environment, he naturally felt that PES was his first choice. After two stints as an intern, Juan decided to make PES his home and is now a full-time Design Engineer. As a project engineer he helps with various technical tasks that need to be completed including engineering design, shop drawings, and detailing. He enjoys the initial design phase of each project the most as it involves finding out the specific challenges for each building, figuring out various load paths, and choosing the main members and materials which will resist the loads.
Fun Fact: Juan was born in Colombia and lived there until the age of six. Other than spending five years in California, he has spent over half his life in Atlanta.
jocampo@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
Office Manager

Lindsay Durden
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 wiz 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
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
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
Mary Shinners, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Mary Shinners, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Following in the footsteps of her grandfather who practiced structural engineering in Cincinnati, Mary joined PES in 2015 after graduating from Georgia Tech. She’s now busy assisting project teams with structural analysis and design, preparing structural models using several types of structural software, performing surveys and assessments of existing structures, and preparing construction documents for various projects. All things her grandpa probably did too when he was just starting out, albeit using very different tools to do the work. She’s excited to continue learning what is required for successful project outcomes and looks forward to garnering more experience with different types of projects as her career progresses.
Fun Fact: Has visited 11 countries…so far…
mshinners@pesengineers.com
Matt Baker, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Matt Baker, P.E.
Assistant Project Manager

Matt was first introduced to PES when he attended a Structural Engineers Association of South Carolina presentation at Clemson during the fall of 2015 and as they say the rest is history.
After completing his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural Engineering, he joined PES because he’d have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects across the nation and to learn from a large collection of structural engineers.
Matt currently serves as an Assistant Project Manager where his primary responsibilities include the analysis and design of various structural systems.
Fun Fact: Never misses the chance to celebrate International Left-Handers Day, which is held annually on August 13th!
mbaker@pesengineers.com
Matthew Sweeney, P.E.
Production Technology | Innovation Manager

Matthew Sweeney, P.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 wide array projects 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., SECB
Principal | President

Michael Planer, P.E., SECB
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 26-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, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Mikayla Bladow, E.I.T.
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 after receiving her 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
Nathan Foust, P.E.
Project Engineer

Nathan Foust, P.E.
Project Engineer
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 a Project Engineer 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 studio director 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
Paurin Mehta, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Paurin Mehta, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Paurin was drawn to engineering as a child in Ahmedabad, India, where he would accompany his father, a Civil Engineer, to his various project sites. This passion for engineering would lead him to the L. D. College of Engineering in India, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, then on to North Carolina State University, earning a master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
In his current role as a Design Engineer, his daily responsibilities including assisting with the structural analysis, design, and modeling of industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities. As a member of PES, Paurin is excited for the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and gaining exposure to various types of materials and learning from professionals who have such vast industry experience. When he’s not working, you can typically find Paurin hanging out with friends, hiking, reading books, or catching up on the latest movies and TV.
Fun Fact: Paurin recently passed the North Carolina Professional Engineer exam and looks forward to officially receiving his license in a year.
pmehta@pesengineers.com
Richard Phifer, P.E.
Project Manager

Richard Phifer, P.E.
Project Manager

Ryan Krusko, E.I.T.
Project Engineer

Ryan Krusko, E.I.T.
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 heart.” Sandy belongs to an international peace organization.
spizzoferrato@pesengineers.com
Sarah Scarborough, P.E., S.E.
Quality Assurance Manager

Sarah Scarborough, P.E., S.E.
Quality Assurance 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
Sean Smolarek, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Sean Smolarek, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Whether wood, steel, concrete, moment frames, braced frames, or other structural systems, Sean’s focus is designing a structural system that complies with engineering principles and building code regulations while meeting the architects' or client’s needs. As an Assistant Project Manager, he’s involved with his projects from design all the way through construction. Sean is responsible for the quality of work performed, client services, and staff utilization as well as monitoring the project’s profitability and scope.
ssmolarek@pesengineers.com
Skylar Wingard
Design Engineer

Skylar Wingard
Design Engineer
Drawn to the design industry by her high school physics teacher, Skylar fell in love with structural design courses while in college. Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, Florida, Skylar attended the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Structural Design in May 2020.
She has a passion for community service, so much so, that her senior capstone design project received an honorable mention for community improvement out of all the capstone projects in the College of Engineering at UGA. She’s excited to see how the buildings that she designs at PES will positively impact communities.
When Skylar isn’t working, you can find her painting, practicing yoga, enjoying live music, hiking, or rollerblading. She aspires to be involved with Engineers Without Borders in the future.
Fun Fact:
Thrill seeker! Skylar has hiked Grays Peak in Colorado, which is 14,278 high! She has also been zip lining in Thailand.
swingard@pesengineers.com
Stefan Keuller, P.E., LEED AP
Principal | Studio Director

Stefan Keuller, P.E., LEED AP
Principal | Studio Director
Stefan is a Principal & Studio Director 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. As a Studio Director, 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
Steven Tate, E.I.T.
Design Engineer

Steven Tate, E.I.T.
Design 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
Taylor Landry, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Taylor Landry, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

Taylor joined our West Hartford office in 2015 because he saw a unique opportunity to be a part of the growth of PES’s New England office.
Since then, he’s been busy working on a variety of project types ranging from industrial facilities, academic buildings, and hospitality properties to commercial buildings. Taylor’s day-to-day responsibilities include structural design, 3D modeling, and construction administration.
Fun Fact: Proud native of the great state of Maine
tlandry@pesengineers.com
Travis Paul, P.E.
Principal

Travis Paul, P.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 James, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

William James, E.I.T.
Assistant Project Manager

You could say that engineering is in his blood. With multiple Civil Engineers in his family and his love for math and science, William was destined to be in the industry.
Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, he received his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural Engineering from Clemson University in December 2015.
Recently promoted to Assistant Project Manager, his primary responsibilities include designing structural elements using different materials in order to withstand different amounts and types of loads. When not at work, he enjoys playing golf or dropping a line in the closest fishing hole.
Fun Fact: The sky is the limit! William is currently a student pilot and will soon become a Certified Private Pilot.
wjames@pesengineers.com