In 2019, our employees continued to lead the field through their collective contributions, continuous improvement and empowered leadership. We recognized many of our team members internally and are proud to announce our most recent promotions.
Katt Price, PE | Project Manager | Team Leader
Katt Price, PE has been promoted to a team leader, responsible for the management + development of a group of structural engineers. She started her career at Schaefer as a cooperative education student and has since designed for most markets, specializing in industrial and warehouse projects that are changing how the industry views these facilities. She’s passionate about advising the next generation, working as a mentor internally and serving on the board of directors of TILT, a subsidiary of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association.
Larry Paxton, PE | Project Manager | Team Leader
Larry Paxton, PE has been promoted to a team leader, responsible for the management + development of a group of structural engineers. With over a decade of structural engineering design experience, Larry is an asset to our team. He collaborates with design team members to efficiently piece a structure together. To him, every challenge is an opportunity to learn + innovate.
Diane Ramirez | Designer | Team Leader
Diane Ramirez has been promoted to a team leader, responsible for the management + development of a group of modelers. She has nearly 25 years of experience in the industry and over a dozen years at Schaefer. She’s been the primary modeler on 100+ projects crossing 17 states.
Luke Butler, PE | Project Manager
Luke Butler, PE has been promoted from project engineer to project manager in Schaefer’s Cincinnati, Ohio office. Luke has a decade of structural engineering experience including projects like Salvagnini Addition, OhioHealth Neuroscience Wellness Center, Buffalo Wild Wings, and new + addition projects with Sycamore Community Schools.
Brad Samblanet, PE, SE | Project Manager
Brad Samblanet, PE, SE has been promoted from project engineer to project manager in Schaefer’s Columbus, Ohio office. In his five years at Schaefer, he has used his 14 years of experience to design incredible projects across markets with a focus in retail + industrial.
Matt Kozma, PE | Project Manager
Matt Kozma, PE earned his PE and was promoted to project manager in Schaefer’s Cincinnati, Ohio office. Matt joined the firm upon graduation from University of Cincinnati seven years ago. In that time, he has become a leader in our industrial market, delivering efficient designs for warehouses + fulfillment centers.
Phil Niekamp, PE | Project Manager
Phil Niekamp, PE earned his PE and was promoted to project manager in Schaefer’s Cincinnati, Ohio office. He has developed a specialization in wood construction, specifically multi-family residential + mixed-use projects, and has presented on cross-laminated timber to a local audience. Outside of Schaefer, Phil has served on the Board of Directors for the Structural Engineers Association of Ohio for the past several years. Ascending to president, he leads the board + its activities that align with its mission, engaging with both student + professional engineer communities.
Chris Hahnel, PE | Project Manager
Chris Hahnel, PE earned his PE and was promoted from project engineer to project manager in Schaefer’s Cincinnati, Ohio office. In his time at Schaefer, Chris has focused on hospitality + multi-family residential projects, including two Candlewood Suites located on military bases – Fort Drum and Fort Carson. Internally, he leads Schaefer’s Culture Team to execute community + team building activities.
Kristen Belyea | Project Engineer
Kristen Belyea was promoted from design engineer to project engineer. She is a leader within our firm, not only designing incredible structures, but acting as an ambassador to her alma mater, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and organizing + managing Schaefer’s student workers.
Rachel Hock | Project Engineer
Rachel Hock was promoted from design engineer to project engineer. Rachel excels as a part of our entertainment division, collaborating on creative designs + quick timelines for some of our theater clients.
Bridget Crowley | Project Engineer
Bridget Crowley was promoted from design engineer to project engineer. She started her career at Schaefer as a cooperative education student for five semesters and has since designed for most markets, including theater rigging project within our entertainment division.
New Credentials
Abby Christman | New PE
Abby Christman, PE earned a professional license, a PE in Ohio.
Jason Hubbell | New PE
Jason Hubbell, PE earned a professional license, a PE in Ohio.
John Baucco | New PE
John Baucco, PE earned a professional license, a PE in Ohio.
Taylor Norman, PE | New SE
Taylor Norman, PE, SE, already a PE, earned his SE license in Arizona.
Zac Wilson | New PE
Zac Wilson, PE earned a professional license, a PE in Kentucky.
Congratulations to everyone on their promotions and achievements!