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Meet Our Experts
Our dedicated staff are committed to seeing you succeed. Let’s see who they are!
Thomas Gallagher, P.E., P.L.S.
President and C.E.O.
When Tom is not working with his other two companies, Aquatrac and Granite Springs Ditch & Pipeline, he is spending time with his family. As a very active grandparent, he has taken on the task of training his 3 teenage grandsons how to drive. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, even if he tells you otherwise. He is very active in his communities working hard to help programs become bigger and better.
Nitin I. Bhakta, P.E.
Vice President of Engineering / Elko Area Manager
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one” – Spock
When Nitin isn’t out on the golf course or out making memories with his family, he is finding solutions for our client’s design needs. When he started with Summit Engineering in 1995, his workspace was in the kitchen in our old Elko office on 5th Street. He has gained and shared his knowledge of civil engineering and Star Trek throughout the years. If you need a good movie quote he is your guy.
Ryan G. Cook, P.L.S., CFedS.
Vice President of Survey
In Ryan’s spare time he enjoys camping, fishing, mountain biking, snorkeling, treasure hunting, jeep exploring, hiking, hunting, kayaking, and not playing golf. He and his family like to take a trip or two a year, seeing and experiencing new things together. Luckily for us, Ryan brings his sense of adventure and experience to everything he does, providing stead-fast, and innovative processes to the survey department.
Tom Hannum, P.E., I.C.C., A.C.I, NAQTC
Geotechnical Manager
“We are do’ers!” Tom lives by this whether it’s with his work as a civil engineer or with the community, he is a guy you can count on to get the job done. When he isn’t working on various boards or volunteering his time with various community projects, you can find him catching up on all the latest Star Wars shows or collecting Dodger memorabilia.
Colin Hayes, P.E.
Manager of Development Group
Colin has been working to develop the communities that we work, live, and play in for years. “Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.” As an avid cyclist, he doesn’t shy away from challenges and is never limited in how he can succeed in delivering quality products to our clients. When he is not out on his bike you can find him spending time with his wife, 2 boys, and a large dog, enjoying the outdoors.
Summit Project Managers
Clinton G. Thiesse, P.E.
Public Works Manager
“Grab the bull by the horns.” Clint has been an avid member of the Reno Rodeo Association for 34 years, helping to grow and improve their facilities and programs is a major passion of his. Clint served as Association President in 2012, after which he could have chosen “going out to pasture”. Instead, he remains an active participant throughout the year, particularly each June for the Rodeo. He also serves as a Director of the Nevada Western Heritage Center Alliance, a non-profit whose single purpose is to revitalize the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center, the home of the Reno Rodeo.
Robert Gelu, P.E.
Senior Civil Engineer, Project Manager
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – A Transylvanian by birth and education, a Nevadan by choice, Robert has over 25 years of international experience in Civil Engineering. Growing up in a multilingual environment Robert values good and efficient communication as the key to achieve effective results. He blends education, experience, and creativity to develop and negotiate technically and economically feasible solutions that satisfy both the developer and the government agencies. Robert enjoys skiing, traveling, and hiking.
Joe Pursel, P.E., I.C.C., A.C.I, NAQTC, RSO
Reno Geotechnical Manager
“Having run dozens of half and full marathons, I’d say don’t trust a fart after mile 10.” A man with a great sense of humor and work ethic, Joe can be found spending time with his wife and three kids when he is not out on a run. Joe is part of a 4th generation family in Yerington, he enjoys making knives and doing just about anything outdoors. This is why he loves the balance the Geotechnical department provides, working in the field and office, ensuring our clients get the best possible service he can provide.
Brian Houston
Elko Survey Manager
Brian comes from a large family, the 2nd to the youngest of 9, he and two brothers joined the surveying field. “Do it right or don’t do it at all”, was a saying Brian came to love and strive for. You can find him “doing it right” as a newly married man, his dogs Buster and Queenie may have been his first loves but Crista and their cat Lexie, soon worked their way into his heart as well.
Lawrence F. Grube, P.L.S., E.I.
Photogrammetry Manager
An early pioneer in Photogrammetry, Larry has surely made his mark in the industry and with his work in his community. He devotes a lot of volunteer time to the Lion’s Club, collecting eyeglasses for their sight program across Northern Nevada, the Boy Scouts of America, and many other local functions.
Summit Support Staff
Mark Kahl, L.S.I.
Survey Technician & Crews Supervisor
A man of deep thoughts and few words, Mark expresses himself through his creativity. In his spare time, you can find him printing up some cool things on his 3D printer or doing some woodwork. Mark has even used his 3D printing and programming skills to update our Survey department’s operations, his new and innovative ways are key to the success of our team.
Clinton “CJ” Hutton
Survey Party Chief
CJ’s favorite job in the world is being an involved dad, going to his kid’s soccer and football games. When he is not doing that, you can find him outback fixing up a vehicle or out hunting. He is a big jokester that gets along with everyone, if your desk is rearranged, he is the first one to suspect!
Sebastian De La Torre, P.E.
Professional Civil Engineer
“It’s time for Dodger baseball” and Civil Engineering! A big sports guy, you can find Sebastian cheering on the Dodgers or out on the golf course with his fellow engineers. He is always up for a good laugh and usually finds those in his favorite sitcom The Community. Sebastian is also a huge family guy and loves spending time with them.
Claire Evans, P.E., WRS
Professional Civil Engineer
Claire is a hydrology-focused engineer who is pretty convinced that music and engineering are basically the same thing. She is best found hiking by a stream, modeling a stream or river, in a river swimming and kayaking, or at a concert.
Joe Barragan, P.E.
Professional Civil Engineer
Most people buy a new Corvette during a midlife crisis, Joe thought becoming an engineer sounded fun! He is proof that an old dog can still learn new tricks. Outside of work, Joe enjoys working on and playing with big boy toys, exploring outdoors, working around the house, and spending time with his wife and three kids.
Cody G. Menefee, EIT
Staff Designer
Cody grew up in a small town in California, where the trees greatly outnumber the people. Before work he can be found at the gym getting in a early morning workout. After work he enjoys relaxing by watching Sports, TV shows, Movies, listening to podcasts, or playing video games. He also enjoys spending time outdoors usually hiking and/or camping.
“Don’t take life too seriously; no one gets out alive anyway.” – Joe Rogan
Joel Ragamat, EIT
Staff Designer
Growing up in San Jose, California, Joel is an avid Bay Area sports fan. As an alumnus of the University of Nevada Reno, he is also supportive of their collegiate football and basketball teams. When not watching sports, he can be seen with his wife, around the city visiting local restaurants, going to concerts and musicals, working out at the gym, or at home taking care of their bossy cat. Need help creating a team name for your real or fantasy team, ask him to help because he can be really punny.
Nick Peery, EIT
Staff Designer
An avid rock collector and connoisseur, Nick is always looking for the next place to find something shiny. He is always active whether it’s playing baseball, rockhounding, working on his home, his involvement in Knights of Columbus, or enjoying the night sky with his telescope. He and his wife are avid baseball fans as well, having been to 7 of the 30 MLB stadiums within the last seven years and seeking to attend all 30 stadiums in their lifetime. He graduated from UNR with a degree in Geological Engineering and is always passionate about problem-solving in engineering. “The most fulfilling feeling in engineering is seeing the work you produce to benefit the community you live in.”
Paul Romero, I.C.C., A.C.I, NAQTC
Geotechnical Field Inspector/Lab Technician
“Clear skies” is how Paul usually signs off on most written communications. In his spare time you can usually find Paul working in his vineyard, orchard, vegetable garden or tending the plants and flowers that supply nectar to the bees he keeps in his bee yard. When he’s not working in the garden and yard you can usually find him amongst his telescopes in his astronomy shed star gazing. He loves taking astronomy photographs, also enjoys spending time with his family or sitting in the many beautiful spaces he’s created in the yard drinking a beer.
Gail Jones
Office Manager
Previously a preschool and kindergarten teacher, she is very good at wrangling our troops. “A photo is a pause button of life” and Gail certainly finds her pause in life, spending time with her husband and 2 cats (one sweet and one not so much). She loves to travel and has an unhealthy obsession with Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. After spending a few years there, it still holds such a special place in her heart. As a hobby photographer, she always brings back the very best pictures to share with the group. As a previous teacher, she is very good at sharing.
Tia Monahan, RSO
Elko Operations Manager/HR Assistant
A self-proclaimed jack of all trades and a master of none, Tia is always willing to take on any new task thrown her way. You’ll find that that carries through to her personal life as well, she is up for the spontaneous trip and can laugh through the most awkward of situations. In her spare time, you will find her spending time with her daughter and friends, enjoying a good game night, hiking, or a good Harry Potter marathon. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ― Albus Dumbledore
Janet Russell
Reno Administrative Assistant
Hailing from South Africa, Janet moved to Reno in 2000, became a US citizen and she built her life with her daughter and enjoys spending time with her. She and her husband love traveling and spending time with their dogs and cats. “No story lives unless someone wants to listen.” Janet is always able to find someone to listen to as she is one to find a friend in every room.
Pam Monahan
Elko Administrative Assistant
An Oregon native, Pam enjoys her trips back home where she relishes time spent with her family. She enjoys the simpler things in life: spending time with her husband, quilting, baking, and working in the garden. Frank the dog also keeps her busy, it’s always time for fetch.
