Matthew Rechtien.
Trivia Expert, Avid Reader, and Sportsman.
Principal, General Counsel / Corporate, Houston
In Six: Always leave yourself with some outs.
ROOTS / ALMA MATER(S): East Lansing, Michigan / University of Michigan, University of Texas, University of Washington
Forte: A structural engineer-turned-attorney, Matthew has worked at Walter P Moore in both capacities. He has over 10 years of law firm and in-house legal experience, focusing on construction law, commercial and insurance litigation, and municipal law.
2nd CAREER CHOICE: Historian, preferably studying and writing about the American Civil War.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: “In practicing law, there are a handful of sayings or maxims to which I frequently return: e.g., ‘you can’t beat something with nothing,’ and ‘we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’”
Melissa Shea.
Super Powers.
Principal, Project Manager / Structures, Washington, D.C.
In Six: Seeking the truth, finding the adventure.
ROOTS / ALMA MATER(S): Springfield, Virginia / Stanford University, The College of William and Mary
Forte: Melissa specializes in virtual design and construction techniques. She manages project delivery and coordination, providing ongoing guidance and insight into the design process, and works closely with both the design team and contractors to ensure solutions transfer seamlessly from ideas in a model into the built world.
2nd CAREER CHOICE, IF NOT AN ENGINEER: Foreign services economics officer.
LITTLE-KNOWN TIDBIT: Melissa is a “super-taster” and can identify specific flavors and spices in meals.
Susan Turrieta.
A Tenacious, Compassionate Runner.
Principal, Managing Director / Infrastructure, Austin
In Six: Tenacious yet compassionate creates my persona.
ROOTS / ALMA MATER: Austin, Texas / California State University Long Beach
Forte: For over 20 years, Susan has served as an engineering consultant for public entities in the central and southern regions of the U.S. Susan’s success stems from her strong technical capabilities and from her knowledge and understanding of people and project management.
ON THE DEFENSE: If she wasn’t an engineer, Susan sees herself as a defense attorney.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION: Taking a good, long run to get the creative juices flowing.
Tom Yost.
Biker Dude.
Principal, Project Manager / Structures, Denver
In Six: Bike everywhere, meet everyone, eat everything.
ROOTS / ALMA MATER: West Chester, Pennsylvania / Penn State University
Forte: With a focus on healthcare design, Tom leans into the specific challenges that accompany projects and jobsites with lots of moving pieces. He appreciates the challenge to think creatively. His structural engineering design experience includes roles on projects ranging from performing arts centers to residential structures.
PHILANTHROPY: Tom has done extensive work with Engineers Without Borders in Panama.
WELL-KNOWN TIDBIT: Between August 2018 and March 2019, Tom biked over 9,000 miles from Philadelphia to Panama City, Panama.