Brandon Theis, PE, is Promoted to Site Development Group Manager

Brandon Theis, PE, has been promoted to Site Development Group Manager. He began his career at RPA’s Kalispell Branch Office in 2005 and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. For nearly two decades, Brandon has served as one of RPA’s leading municipal engineers providing project management, civil engineering design, and construction administration services for numerous urban street and site development projects. In his new role, Brandon will oversee the entire Site Development Group and will primarily be responsible for the group’s marketing, administration, and quality control.

Lance Bowser, PE, has been promoted to Airports Group Manager. He joined RPA in 2004 and has over 20 years of experience in the airport industry. Lance has completed master planning, airport layout plans, environmental assessments, land acquisition, airport design, construction inspection, and overall project management and administration for nearly 100 airport improvement projects with over 20 airports across Montana. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Montana State University – Northern in Havre and is a licensed professional engineer in Montana and Colorado.

Stephen Markwardt, PE, has been promoted to Design Team Leader in RPA’s Streets and Highways Group. He works in the Helena office and holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University.  In this role, Stephen will oversee project development to ensure work is completed on schedule, meets the client’s expectations, and adheres to the appropriate industry standards. This promotion is a fitting recognition of the hard work and dedication Stephen has continually shown in the Streets and Highways Group.

RPA is pleased to announce Craig Jenneskens, P.E. as our newly elected President/Chairman of the Board. As President, Craig will be responsible for the management and general operations of the company, with a focus on continuing to attract and retain outstanding employees while providing exceptional professional services to our clients. Craig has served on RPA’s Board of Directors since 2005 and was Chairman of the ESOP Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2017. Since 2017, Craig has held the Vice President of Business Management position. In his 27 years with RPA, Craig has also served as the Water Division Manager and the Site Development Group Manager. A native of Bigfork, Montana, Craig has a B.A. in Mathematics from Carroll College and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Montana, the Carroll College Engineering Advisory Board, and the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce.

RPA is pleased to announce Ryan Mitchell, PE, PLS, as our newly elected Vice President of Business Management. As Vice President of Business Management, Ryan will be responsible for company-wide financial planning and projections, strategic planning, business development, and marketing strategies. He will also work closely with our President and Corporate Controller in establishing and tracking annual budgets and reviewing corporate insurance policies and standard forms of agreement. Ryan began his career at RPA’s Helena office in 1999 working in the Streets & Highways Group, Site Development Group, and Airports Group. In 2005, Ryan moved to Kalispell to open the Kalispell branch office and was promoted to Branch Operations Manager. Ryan has an A.A.S. in Land Surveying with highest honors from Flathead Valley Community College and a B.S. in Civil Engineering with highest honors from Montana State University.

Sarah Nicolai, PE, PTP, was promoted to Transportation Planning and Operations Assistant Group Manager. Ms. Nicolai holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Civil Engineering from Carroll College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College. With over 16 years of experience in the transportation industry, Ms. Nicolai has extensive knowledge and background with highway corridor studies, transportation planning and safety assessments, statewide policy documentation, traffic evaluations, and public and stakeholder outreach. In her new role, Ms. Nicolai will continue developing and managing projects and will assist with the group’s business development, marketing, administration, and quality control. Ms. Nicolai is currently assisting the Transportation Planning and Operations Group with the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study, City of Helena Multimodal Traffic Study, and the MDT ADA Transition Plan Update.

Kerry Pedersen, PE, has been promoted to Transportation Engineer/Planner in the Transportation Planning and Operations Group. Ms. Pedersen recently passed the Principles and Practices of Engineering Examination and is now a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Montana. She joined the Helena office in 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and an Honors Degree from Montana State University (MSU). Ms. Pedersen specializes in transportation engineering and planning projects that include transportation plans, traffic studies, urban planning, traffic simulation, corridor studies, and safety projects. She is currently working on the ADA Transition Plan for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), the Greater Triangle Area Transportation Plan in Gallatin County, and the MDT Clearwater Junction Intersection Improvements project.