Lancaster, Pa. — RETTEW, an Engineering News-Record top 500 design firm providing engineering, transportation, environmental consulting, planning and surveying services, recently welcomed new hires Robert M. Irwin; Chris A. Markel, GISP, and Ian M. Simms, PE.
“These gentlemen bring to a RETTEW a wealth of expertise in their respective fields and share a sincere dedication to client satisfaction,” said Mark Lauriello, PE, president, RETTEW. “I welcome them to RETTEW.”
Robert M. Irwin
Irwin is a senior engineer in the land development group in RETTEW’s Williamsport office. He provides high-level technical support to one of the firm’s key natural gas clients by coordinating the land development aspects of their natural gas drilling and exploration projects. Specifically, he works with municipalities, state regulatory agencies and the general public to ensure projects are executed within the parameters established by local and state government. In addition, Irwin reviews plans, narratives and other materials for quality control and evaluates proposed sites for construction and suitability.
Irwin has 15 years of experience in land development, which includes site design, stormwater control and erosion and sedimentation control designs for residential, municipal and commercial clients. In addition, Irwin is well versed in alternative energy, particularly in utility scale wind and solar energies.
Irwin is a graduate of the Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He resides in Lewisburg, Union County, Pa.
Chris A. Markel, GISP
Markel is group manager for RETTEW’s geographic information systems (GIS) department in the firm’s Lancaster office. He is responsible for growing the GIS department as well as managing the daily operations of the department. Additionally, he manages project teams and staff, provides project management support and plays a role in GIS-related business development.
Markel has more than 25 years of experience in the GIS and geospatial industry. He has served as a program manager, project manager and technical architect for clients throughout the United States. Markel is also well versed in strategic planning, implementation planning and application and product development in a wide range of industries, including state and local government, transportation, retail and environmental. He has served a pivotal role in the development of Pennsylvania’s spatial data infrastructure.
Markel is a registered geographic information systems professional (GISP) and a Penn State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in forest science. He is a member of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and the Pennsylvania Mapping and Geographic Information Consortium, where he served as president and board member. He resides in Spring Mills, Centre County, Pa.
Ian M. Simms, PE
Simms is a senior engineer in the transportation group in RETTEW’s Pittsburgh office. In his role, he oversees the design, monitoring and management for all roadway reconstruction projects for the firm’s natural gas clients in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additionally, he acts as a liaison between the client and each state’s transportation regulatory agency.
Simms has more than 14 years of experience designing and managing a variety of construction projects for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, various municipalities and private developers. He also is well versed in drainage, erosion and sedimentation control design and site development.
A licensed professional engineer, Simms has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society for Highway Engineers. He is also active in the United Way, Washington County Humane Society, Juvenile Diabetes Association, Make a Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Casey’s Clubhouse. He resides in Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa.
About RETTEW
RETTEW provides engineering, transportation, environmental consulting, planning, surveying and related consulting services to a broad range of clients in the mid-Atlantic region. Beginning in 1969 as a single-person office, today RETTEW has more than 350 employees. Offices are located in Lancaster, Lehigh Valley, Mechanicsburg, Pittsburgh, Schuylkill Haven and Williamsport, Pa.; and Liberty and Margaretville, N.Y. For more information on any of RETTEW’s services, please call 1-800-RETTEW-5 (1-800-738-8395) or e-mail rettew@rettew.com.
