Our Team

Darrin Kotecki, PE

President

Years with GPD: 34

What I Love About What I Do:

Imagine working somewhere where you have fun and laugh, have a voice, share in the company’s financial success, get rewarded for helping others grow and have the freedom to create your own career path—that is GPD in a nutshell, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

When we created the GPD Employees’ Foundation. It was amazing to see our employees come together to establish, create and support a 100% “employee run” foundation. The support by our employees is truly inspiring, and the impact we are having is tremendous!

Jeff Evans, PE

Senior Vice President, Operations

Years with GPD: 37

What I Love About What I Do:

Every day is a different challenge! I thoroughly enjoy working with our diverse employees across all our different disciplines and market sectors, tackling a variety of different challenges.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

I am most proud of being part of our growth from 70 people in one office when I was a co-op to more than 600 people and 14 offices around the country.

Becky McAdams, NCIDQ, LEED® AP

Vice President, Operations

Years in the Industry: 31

What I Love About What I Do:

Working with our great people is what gets me charged up every morning. Our team members, our clients and partners make the job interesting and fun.

What Makes GPD Different:

We’re friendly and down to earth, and our horizontal management structure allows people to grow and take opportunities they didn’t even think existed.

Trever Powers

Vice President, Operations

Years in the Industry: 33

What Makes GPD Different:

Our employee ownership, our purpose and our servant leadership approach seen at all levels are what set us apart from 99.9% of other organizations.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Looking back, I’m most proud of the instances when our team members placed the needs and goals of others ahead of their own. As I look forward, I am excited for all the proud moments yet to come.

Angie Wells, PE, LEED® AP

Vice President, Operations

Years in the Industry: 32

What I Love About What I Do:

I love the journey of working passionately and collaboratively with colleagues on solutions that serve a greater purpose.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Helping others be successful and achieve their goals.

John Alexander

National Leader - Strategy & Growth, Power / Energy

Years in the Industry: 35

What I Love About What I Do:

Having spent the past 20 years in the Power / Energy Sectors has demonstrated to me how critical this market is in providing basic quality of life, around the world! It is ever-changing and evolving and the responsibility of being an advocate and good steward in support of this initiative yields great responsibility to all those contributing. I have accepted and welcome the challenges of this responsibility and my personal ability to influence favorable outcomes. There are so many industry professionals that share this passion that it drives exhilaration.

What Makes GPD Different:

At GPD, we embrace the philosophy of treating our clients like our employees and employees like our clients. It is practiced and demonstrated daily by our leadership and throughout all levels of staff. We truly care about the well-being of every employee and their families. We have fun! We provide opportunities for growth and advancement no matter your tenor or years of service. We pay it forward both professionally and through charitable outreach and we are a tremendous business role model in the community.

Chaz Arnfield, LC, LEED® AP

Director, Electrical Engineering

Years in the Industry: 26

Proudest Moment at GPD:

One of the many proud moments here at GPD is when I was chosen to be a part of the design team for the Akron Metro Bus Station in 2008. This was GPD’s first LEED Gold project, and it allowed our team to push the envelope utilizing innovative design strategies to satisfy LEED’s stringent sustainable design criteria. The project was officially awarded LEED Gold certification from the USGBC in 2010.

What Makes GPD Different:

The empowerment of our employees is what makes GPD so unique. Our employees have access to technical resources to keep pushing themselves forward in their career and have so many opportunities to get involved throughout the company and within our communities.

Jake Bendik, PE, LEED® AP

Director, Retail/Commercial

Years in the Industry: 22

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Continued growth of our Atlanta office both in personnel and markets served from the office. We have a great group of individuals here, and continue to build on the GPD culture. Through our Employee Foundation and volunteering, we’ve been able to support several local public schools and non-profit organizations. It’s been rewarding to make an impact both within our GPD team and the community.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our commitment to our employees to help them achieve personal and career success. We grow responsibly to create opportunities and stability for our employees so they can be successful both personally and professionally. The company exists for the employees. I love collaborating with employees, coaching, mentoring, and helping them reach their potential.

Justin Butterfield, PE

Area Director, Telecom

Years in the Industry: 15

What I Love About What I Do:

I enjoy working with our team to identify new solutions that further the development of Telecom. The technology and applications supporting the industry have changed rapidly throughout the past decade. Telecom is no longer just the deployment of cellular. It has evolved to include the integration of wireless and broadband into various infrastructure arenas. It is very rewarding to see GPD pull our talent together to solve the next generation of problems that will eventually benefit our clients and communities.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our servant leadership model and entrepreneurial spirit. Many on our leadership team started as interns or co-ops within the firm. It’s impressive to see how our unique culture has created so many opportunities for our staff, communities, and clients.

Tina Belz, EI

Senior Director, Public Markets

Years in the Industry: 29

What I Love About What I Do:

I love being able to create opportunities for others—our staff, our clients, our business partners, our community.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our unique, broad-based employee ownership. It empowers me every day to do what is in the best interest of GPD, the clients I serve and, most importantly, the incredible people I am so privileged to work beside.

Jackie Bennett, Esq.

General Counsel

Years with GPD: 11

What I Love About What I Do:

I’m lucky to support such a great group of people at GPD, and in the aggregate, the company. I take pride in being part of the GPD story.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

One moment would be difficult to define. For me, it is really the big picture with respect to our history and growth. Since joining GPD, we have doubled in size. Comparing our current industry presence with our history, founding fathers and path to the present is inspiring.

Del Channels, PE

Director, Geotechnical

Years with GPD: 35

What I Love About What I Do:

I am a teacher at heart, and the favorite parts of my job revolve around teaching. I love mentoring our geotechnical staff, passing on the knowledge gained throughout my career, while teaching them how to ask themselves the probing questions that will provide clarity on what direction a project needs to go. I also enjoy passing on my geotechnical knowledge to other disciplines within GPD and providing our clients with best practice geotechnical solutions structured around their specific project.

What Makes GPD Different:

I believe that GPD’s employee ownership structure is what makes us different. This structure encourages all employees to think and act like owners.

Grant Childers

National Leader - Strategy & Growth, Telecom

Years in the Industry: 21

What I Love About What I Do:

Having the daily opportunity to work with and support an amazing team, equally amazing clients and pairing the two to create long-term partnerships though successful program development and project execution to achieve shared goals and objectives.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our culture is GPD’s differentiator. Prior to joining GPD I had the opportunity to work with a number of GPD team members over a couple decades. I always admired GPD’s culture from the outside looking in. When I happened upon the opportunity to explore a role with GPD, I jumped at the chance. Joining the GPD team has more than validated what I had observed for all those years. GPD’s culture is second to none!

Joe Ciuni, PE, PS

Director, Public Works – Cleveland

Years in the Industry: 43

What Makes GPD Different:

We are successful because we are a team of friends. GPD co-workers form lifelong friendships, and that makes the difference.

What Is Your Favorite GPD Project:

I enjoy all Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Projects. These projects solve local problems in the communities where we live. I can design the project in winter and watch it be built in the summer.

Mo Darwish, PE

Ohio Public Sector Leader

Years in the Industry: 37

What I Love About What I Do:

I love being able to have ownership, freedom and to grab opportunities and run with them…Just do it.

What Is Your Favorite GPD Project:

With the diversity of the projects that I deal with, I enjoyed all of them, and they were all different. The one project that stands out was the LeBron James Center for the Boys and Girls Club of America in Akron. GPD volunteered and donated the time of its staff to redesign and manage the construction of an old senior arena / rec center where LeBron James started playing basketball when he was a kid. His foundation donated the funds to rebuild the center and made it first-class center for the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Josh Eblen

Director, Construction

Years with GPD: 23

What I Love About What I Do:

I love building and I enjoy guiding / helping others, and as Director of Construction, I get to do both. Inside of GPD, I enjoy learning the traits and strengths of our team members and find great personal satisfaction in guiding our team members’ individual growth along the many services we provide.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Every time a client calls back asking for GPD to be involved in a project or says, “We couldn’t have done this without your team,” fills me with pride.

Kevin Grathwol, PE

Senior Project Manager, Public Works – Columbus

Years in the Industry: 35

What I Love About What I Do:

Being involved with public infrastructure improvements that have a positive and lasting impact on society. I also love being involved during the construction phase, seeing firsthand our design efforts come to fruition.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our culture is what makes us different. We are comprised of individuals who share the same beliefs and goals.

Mark Grossman, PE

Director, Transportation / Roadway

Years with GPD: 33

What I Love About What I Do:

My favorite part of my job is teaching the craft to others and building them into engineers. Anyone can build things; not so with building engineers.

What Makes GPD Different:

True employee ownership. With broad-based ownership across the entire staff, GPD is uniquely constructed with a team-first attitude that permeates all staff levels and across departmental lines. Employee ownership has created a culture of stability at GPD that is unparalleled in the industry and provides the employees, business partners and clients the assurance that can only be obtained from a stable foundation of professionals all pulling in the same direction.

Brian Hagemeier, PE, LEED® AP

Director, Federal / State

Years in the Industry: 22

Proudest Moment at GPD:

I enjoy mentoring people and watching them develop. So, I think I am filled with the most pride when I see them grow in their career.

Funniest Moment at GPD:

Wrapping every item in Darrin’s office in wrapping paper is definitely the moment that sticks out as the funniest.

John Haskew, AIA, LEED® AP

Texas Education Leader

Years in the Industry: 45

Proudest Moment at GPD:

My most proud moment(s) are anytime I’m able to represent our firm with anything involving the GPD Employee’s Foundation. For the grant selection process, I’ve been able spread the word with local school districts about these opportunities, sharing our passion of community involvement to make a difference. Then, to actually experience the results of these grants was a huge bonus! I’ve had the privilege of being buddies with challenged kids playing in a national baseball tournament, certainly a highlight of their lives (and mine). The pure joy exhibited by those players touched everyone participating in the games, including the players, their families and all the volunteers.

What Makes GPD Different:

The difference is the commitment of the firm to actually put into practice their core values.  They aren’t just statements displayed on a plaque somewhere, they are action items that we all believe and practice.  Most important for me is the concept of “servant leadership.” There are always plenty of opportunities to make a difference at our job, our home, and our community.

James Hewitt, PE

Director, Water

Years in the Industry: 36

What I Love About What I Do:

I enjoy serving the citizens of our communities and providing exceptional solutions to their engineering needs. The Water Team at GPD is an integral part of daily human health by helping our clients achieve regulatory compliance to provide the safe treatment and distribution of drinking water and safe collection and treatment of sanitary sewage. On the stormwater front, we will work with our clients to provide solutions to their erosion, flooding, and storm water conveyance needs to improve our environment and mitigate flooding issues.

What Makes GPD Different:

We are all committed to improving lives through our projects, our talents, and our personal time. GPD truly is a special place to work!

Mike Hiland

Director, IT

Years in the Industry: 27

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Participating with my family in our Foundation events is the most fulfilling. Having the opportunity to give back is the most important to me.

What Makes GPD Different:

The people at GPD “walk the talk” and work together to exceed customer expectations. We all play a role, and this is demonstrated daily at GPD.

Mike Hobbs, PE, PTOE

Senior Director, Public Works, Transportation & Water

Years with GPD: 22

What I Love About What I Do:

I feel like I make the largest difference in the planning and funding areas, helping clients find funding for their projects, and seeing the vision become reality is rewarding.

What Makes GPD Different:
By not focusing on company profits and instead focusing on the welfare of our employees, GPD has developed an atmosphere of trust and family.

John Kabak, PE, SE

Director, Structural Engineering

Years in the Industry: 27

What I Love About What I Do:

I love that I’m able to help make our architects’ visions become reality by challenging the limits of engineering and redefining engineering possibilities.

What Makes GPD Different:

Just walk into any of our offices and the difference can be seen, heard, and felt throughout the halls and work areas. Our staff genuinely cares about their work, about our clients, and about each other. This is only possible with the right mix of operating philosophy, culture, and incredibly talented and humbled staff. In my opinion, our work environment is unparalleled in the industry.

Brandon Marzley, PE LEED® AP BD+C

Director, Engineering Design Services

Years with GPD: 23

What I Love About What I Do:

What I love the most is the opportunity to teach, mentor, and develop future leaders in our industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to walk alongside others on this continuous journey, helping team members reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our culture sets us apart and it all starts with being an employee-owned company. The employee ownership empowers individuals to become leaders and unlock achievements at all levels. The unique balance of family-oriented culture and mentorship while driving organic growth challenges the industry norms. At GPD we are all in it together with our eyes set on success for ourselves, one another, our partners, and our clients.

Lisa Michela, AIA, LEED Green Associate

Director, Education - Texas

Years in the Industry: 21

What I Love About What I Do:

I once read that no one can be a great leader unless they genuinely care about the success of everyone on their team. I love what I do because I get to help people learn, grow, and be successful. I get to be their biggest cheerleader.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our employee ownership. Because each of us, from entry-level to president, is empowered and has a vested interest in the company, our entire company works collaboratively to achieve the best possible solutions. This ultimately leads to greater success of our projects and a culture that feels more like family.

Mike Morrison

Senior Director, Private Markets

Years with GPD: 26

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Being part of the GPD Employees’ Foundation has been incredible. We craft experiences and memories that last a lifetime for the kids and for us.

Funniest Moment at GPD:

While it was funnier for others than some, a couple of people sent a co-op to the field across the street to look for a nonexistent manhole. Everyone stood at the windows and laughed as this poor co-op searched and searched for the manhole. It would have been a whole lot funnier if I wasn’t the co-op.

Steve Mullaney, PS

Senior Director, Field Services

Years in the Industry: 29

What Makes GPD Different:

Our culture promotes leadership and independent thinking for all. We bring our talents together and bring the best approach to the table for clients.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

I am most proud of any moment that allows us to put all of our technical and professional expertise together as a team and help our clients reach their goals. It is a truly great feeling when you can use a team approach to find innovative solutions together.

Davin Ng, PE

Director, Transportation / Bridges

Years in the Industry: 35

What I Love About What I Do:

Watching a project come to life and seeing lines drawn in CAD transform into a real bridge is so satisfying—it never gets old!

What Makes GPD Different:

The company culture at GPD is truly unique, and being able to have such a close-knit office community makes it an enjoyable place to come to every day.

Jim O’Connor, PE

Senior Director, Energy & Power

Years in the Industry: 29

What Makes GPD Different:

Our people’s genuine care for one another, our clients, and our communities make us special. It’s a culture rather than a conscious effort.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

I am always proud of how the GPD staff rises up as a team to unselfishly achieve challenging goals.

Ryan Oyster, PE, LEED® AP

Senior Director, Retail, Healthcare, & Public Buildings

Years with GPD: 19

What I Love About What I Do:

There is nothing more rewarding than transforming our clients’ dreams into opportunities for them to succeed, work, live, and thrive. I love helping a team of people with different strengths and skill sets come together to create amazing solutions for our clients.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

My proudest moment stretched over a few years while my team positioned GPD as the firm of choice for one of the largest restaurant brands in the U.S.

Brian Peterson, PE

National Director, Energy

Years with GPD: 27

What I Love About What I Do:

In addition to the people I work with, I love making a difference in the lives and communities we serve with access to energy.

What Makes GPD Different:

We have innovative and adaptive folks that treat our clients like they are our only one. Caring for our clients is more than just a saying here.

Brad Ramsey

Director, Finance

Years in the Industry: 15

Proudest Moment at GPD:

My proudest moment at GPD is seeing first-hand how the resources of the GPD Employees’ Foundation impact and better the local community. It is wonderful to be a part of a company that gives back so much to the communities it serves.

What Makes GPD Different:

The employee’s investment in and our commitment to GPD is what makes GPD different. Everyone is proud to work at GPD, and the employees truly care about the long-term success of the company and their fellow employees.

Ed Reese

Pennsylvania Transportation / Water Leader

Years in the Industry: 37

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Being a part of the team that won our first stand-alone assignment under our Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Wastewater On-Call Contract for their Large Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Project.

What Makes GPD Different:

GPD’s culture. GPD’s “All for one, one for all” attitude is a key component of our culture where everyone truly wants to see everyone succeed. I also appreciate how GPD puts employees first, whether it’s our excellent benefits program or how transparent our management team is with our finances and reasoning behind business decisions.

Mark Salopek, AIA, NCARB

Director, Education / Public Buildings - Ohio

Years with GPD: 38

What I Love About What I Do:

I love that I get the opportunity to dream with our clients and create something with them that is unique and makes their lives better.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

Being involved in the K-12 education market affords me tremendous opportunities every day to work with our educators and the children in our community.

Steven Schaub, PE

Director, Power

Years with GPD: 24

What I Love About What I Do:

Growing up I always played sports and was part of teams. I love the team mentality at GPD. We’ve got each other’s backs and work hard to accomplish the vision of our clients.

What Makes GPD Different:

The Culture. Everyone’s company talks about its culture, but we actually have one. People who join our team later in their careers are always amazed at our culture and say they wish they would have always worked for us.

Christopher Scheks, PE

National Director, Telecommunications

Years with GPD: 19

What I Love About What I Do:

Working with new engineers, or new to Telecom engineers, and opening their eyes to the detailed infrastructure engineering and planning that is required to use their mobile phone.

Proudest Moment at GPD:

My proudest moment at GPD was searching for, identifying and opening the doors for office space in Seattle and then watching it grow and thrive.

Leonardo Sferra, PE, CPESC

Director, Site Development

Years with GPD: 23

What I Love About What I Do:

I enjoy the opportunity to work with great people, both internally and externally. In addition to working with great people, I enjoy having the ability to be creative, solve problems, provide mentorship and design things that matter to someone.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our dedication to maintain our high-spirited, family-oriented, playful, but driven to outperform, culture defines who we are as an organization.

Jimmy Stahl, PE, CFM

Director, Kentucky Public Sectors

Years in the Industry: 32

What I Love About What I Do:

Helping communities accomplish things they didn’t know they could do. Finding and providing opportunities for people to grow in and be excited about their career.

What Is Your Favorite GPD Project:

It is hard to choose my favorite project. I guess it depends which client I’m talking to.

Danyelle Sweitzer, PHR, SHRM-CP

Director, Human Resources

Years in the Industry: 23

Proudest Moment at GPD:

I am most proud to have seen so many of our co-ops embark on their journeys as they graduate, become professionals and start families of their own.

What is Your Favorite GPD Project:

GPD Group Employees’ Foundation. Being so intimately involved with this project has allowed me to witness firsthand the needs within our communities and see the lasting impact our GPD family is making.

Chris Tolnar, PE, CPESC

Director, Public Works - Youngstown

Years with GPD: 25

What I Love About What I Do:

Being in public works and seeing a project developing from an idea to then overseeing the construction really gives a sense of accomplishment.

What Makes GPD Different:

From the first day at GPD, I felt right at home. GPD has always felt like a growing family. Like any big extended family, you may not like them all or understand their ways, but at the end of the day, you all pull together and use your shared values to make sure the group is successful. I have witnessed our staff at all levels work tirelessly to accomplish tasks and put forth efforts beyond what was expected to help out and make a difference both in and out of the office.

Steve Turner

National Leader - Strategy & Growth, Multisite Programs

Years in the Industry: 23

What is Your Favorite GPD Project:

Colonial Williamsburg / Aramark Binns Building – this project is allowing us to engage our design team in the full experience design process from Discovery through Design Development. We’re collaborating with CW / Aramark to develop the experiential retail store environment that will attract customers and drive sales.

What Makes GPD Different:

Our talented people, the culture and values of the company, and how we consistently leverage them to deliver success for our clients.