Daron Hester.
DIY Diagnosis.
 
Senior Principal, Director of Operations   /   Diagnostics Houston

IN SIX: Three things daily: laugh, cry, think.

ROOTS / ALMA MATERS: Hillsborough, NC / North Carolina State University & University of Houston

FORTE: Having originally joined Walter P Moore as an intern in 1999, Daron rejoined in 2007 and is now the Director of Operations for the Diagnostics Group. He specializes in solving structural, façade, and waterproofing issues, and routinely conducts assessments, develops repair documents, and performs construction administration services for a variety of clients.

Not So Puzzling: Daron has always enjoyed puzzles and building. Diagnostics provided him with a career that converged the two. As well as the greatest satisfaction he could ask for in his work: solving problems.

Handy Hester: When he’s not rescuing buildings, the DIY home improvement junkie is also a laborer in their family’s urban garden.

Daron Hester, P.E.   /   919.806.4235   /   dhester@walterpmoore.com

Mark Williams.
Ain’t no mountain high enough*
 
Senior Principal, Managing Director   /   Houston Diagnostics

In Six: Live to learn to experience today.

ROOTS / ALMA MATERS: Lakeland, FL / University of Central Florida & University of Florida

FORTE: As Managing Director of the Houston Diagnostics group and the Restoration/Renovation Practice Leader, Mark brings an inclusive and collaborative approach to repairing and restoring the built environment. He specializes in rehabilitating critical structures that are often exposed to aggressive environments such as bridges, hyperbolic cooling towers, stadiums, parking structures, and building enclosures.

Best advice he’s received (so far): “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” — Colin Powell

Mountain Mark: Mark summited Mt. Kilimanjaro (all 19,341 feet of it) with his own lungs, and if he had to choose another profession, he would be a mountain guide — the higher the altitude the better!

Mark E. Williams, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., P.Eng.   /   713.630.7424   /   mwilliams@walterpmoore.com

Thomas Duncan.
Whoomp! There he is.
 
Principal, Managing Director   /   Traffic Houston

In Six (ish): Straight Outta Alvin: Traffic’s Most Wanted.

ROOTS / ALMA MATER: Alvin, TX / Texas A&M University

FORTE: During his 15-year career, Thomas has led numerous successful projects ranging from traffic simulations to traffic design for a variety of both public and private clients. His diverse portfolio also includes data collection and forecasting, as well as designing, planning, and developing road realignments and improvements throughout Texas and elsewhere. He also serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Pearland — and admittedly knows too much about 90s rap music.

‘Round the Outside: Thomas regularly supports the Shriners and Big Love Cancer organizations, but his main hobby is being a chauffeur for his three children — Lane, Taylor, and Luke.

Dr. Duncan: You may occasionally hear Thomas rapping the lyrics to “Forgot About Dre” to himself, but never fear. That’s just his creative process…one that has served him well since joining the industry in 2002.

Thomas Duncan, P.E., PTOE   /   713.394.5652   /   tduncan@walterpmoore.com

Erin Kueht.
Maroon-Out Mentor.
 
Principal, Project Manager   /   Structures Houston

In Six: More action, less talk, better world.

ROOTS / ALMA MATER: Houston, TX / Texas A&M University

FORTE: Like many at the firm, Erin has spent her entire engineering career (now 12 years) at Walter P Moore. Dedicated to mentoring others — both within the firm and in the community — she manages a variety of complex structural projects in sports, education, commercial, and healthcare. In 2014, Erin received the firm’s esteemed Horvilleur Award, which is presented annually to one young structural engineer at the firm who has best exemplified excellence in technical design, client service, and business acumen.

Call the Curtain: If she had to choose another career, Erin would enjoy being a set designer and builder for plays.

Project Pride: Erin bleeds maroon, so it’s no surprise that her proudest professional accomplishment to date has been the design and management of the immense Kyle Field Redevelopment, which in 2016, earned the highest award for engineering excellence in Texas — the Eminent Conceptor Award by the Texas Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

Erin Kueht, P.E., LEED AP BD+C   /   713.394.5653   /   ekueht@walterpmoore.com

Ricardo Martinez.
Ecuadorian Rockstar.
 
Principal, Project Manager   /   Structures Houston

In Six: Always strive to be the best.

ROOTS / ALMA MATER: Guayaquil, Ecuador / Texas A&M University

Forte: Ricardo actually began his studies in architecture, completing two years before realizing it was too “artsy” and he was more interested in the science behind how buildings stand. Now 12 years in the biz, he is the Operations Manager for the Houston Structures group. He manages a range of commercial project types, including office and mixed-use developments, healthcare, sports, parking garages, research facilities, and high-rise luxury residential.

Little-known Tidbit: Ricardo came to the U.S. to attend Texas A&M University, following a long line of Aggies in his family. He makes the fifth — perhaps the most of any Ecuadorian family, but we haven’t verified with the Guinness Book of World Records.

Rockin’ Ricardo: Ricardo can tap a pretty mean beat on the drums. He was a member of a band in high school and even got third place in a national music contest playing a song they penned themselves.

Ricardo Martinez, P.E.   /   713.394.5627   /   rimartinez@walterpmoore.com

Armen Megerdoomian.
Park It Like Armen.
 
Principal, Senior Parking Consultant   /   Parking Los Angeles

In Six: Only in it for the PARKING.

ROOTS / ALMA MATER: Los Angeles, CA / California State Polytechnic University

Forte: 22 years in the biz, Armen is driven by the challenge of improving the human experience. As the West Coast Parking Lead for Walter P Moore, he approaches his niche from the perspective of the users: both drivers and pedestrians. The Rubik’s cube fan believes that in this transition period where new technologies are impacting transportation and parking to create vibrant communities, good design comes from an awareness of users’ needs and the ingenuity to deliver efficiently.

If he weren’t the Parking Guru, he would be a stand-up philosopher or a soccer coach. Soccer takes up a lot of his free time.

Best advice he’s received (so far): Be flexible and speak to your expertise.

Armen Megerdoomian   /   310.254.1944   /   amegerdoomian@walterpmoore.com

Susendar Muthukumar.
A (literal) cross-country runner.
 
Principal, Senior Engineer   /   Structures R&D Austin

In Six: Try, try, try ‘till you succeed.

ROOTS / ALMA MATERS: Chennai, India / Georgia Tech and Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Forte: Susendar grew up in south India, where engineering and medicine were the most coveted career paths. His strong dislike for biology made the choice easy. Having been in the AEC industry since 2004, he specializes in advanced structural modeling, steel design, post-tensioned concrete, vibration analysis, and performance-based engineering. He enjoys mentoring junior engineers across the firm and excels at technical writing and custom software development.

World Traveler: A competitive runner and hiking enthusiast, Susendar has hiked on four continents and visited 12 countries. Antarctica and New Zealand are on his bucket list.

It’s in the Numbers: Susendar had two consecutive ‘e’s in his first name until high school. His numerology-oriented mother dropped one ‘e’ to bless him with more success. It worked!

Susendar Muthukumar, Ph.D., P.E.   /   512.651.9606   /   smuthukumar@walterpmoore.com

Raquel Ranieri.
Engineering Entertainment.
 
Principal, Project Manager   /   Structures Los Angeles

In Six: Work hard. Play hard. Sleep hard.

ROOTS / ALMA MATERS: Kalispell, Montana / Carroll College and the University of Texas at Austin

Forte: 12 years in the biz, Raquel has spent her entire engineering career with Walter P Moore, beginning as an intern. Specializing in lean construction and seismic design, she works on complex projects for large institutions in higher education, entertainment, and sports. Raquel is also a past recipient of the firm’s esteemed Horvilleur Award.

Engineering Mountains: A large portion of Raquel’s work has been themed entertainment structures, including making mountains float (top secret). But interestingly enough, water is her personal kryptonite.

Design Inspiration: Nature and seeing how it creates its own stable world.

Raquel Ranieri, P.E., S.E., LEED AP   /   310.254.1917   /   rranieri@walterpmoore.com