SEH Board of Directors Names 16 New Principals for 2024

Chris Alexander
General Counsel | Risk Management

As SEH's sole full-time attorney since 2020, Chris now leads SEH’s risk management group. He counsels SEH leadership on corporate policies and structure; regulatory and jurisdictional compliance, mergers, claims; insurance, ethics, and dispute resolution. Chris’s success in his role stems from his active involvement with the American Council of Engineering Companies Risk Committee, National Center for Employee Ownership, Design Professional Risk Control Group, and The ESOP Association, and St Paul Events Planning Committee.

Dave Blommel, PE*
Senior Engineer | Civil Engineering

Dave has been a seasoned project and client service manager for over two decades. He has extensive experience in municipal utilities, project management, street and highway design, and construction, serving as city engineer for several central Minnesota communities. Dave is an active participant in the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers Lakes Region Chapter and has held leadership roles, including vice president and president. Additionally, he has assisted in coordinating MATHCOUNTS, which promotes middle school mathematics.

*Registered Professional Engineer in MN

Chris Blum, PE*
Senior Engineer | Structural Engineering

With a robust career spanning three decades, Chris is a skilled client service manager, project manager, and office manager for Madison, Wisconsin. His experience covers all aspects of bridge and highway design and rehabilitation, including public involvement, agency and utility coordination, design study reports, environmental documentation, and preparation of plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates for town, county, and state highway projects. Additionally, Chris oversees bridge inspections and actively trains a team to meet growing industry demands. 

*Registered Professional Engineer in WI

Marcia Gerring, CPA
Financial Analyst Manager | Finance and Accounting 

Marcia has nearly two decades of finance, corporate accounting, auditing, and team management experience. Joining SEH in 2021, she serves as the company’s financial analyst manager, bringing invaluable leadership in the areas of management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Marcia partners with SEH’s chief financial officer to analyze business trends, evaluate operational metrics, and address challenges. She also volunteers as a troop leader for Girl Scouts River Valleys. 

*Registered Professional Engineer in CO

Brea Grace, AICP
Senior Planner | Planning and Landscape Architecture

Since 2018, Brea has been a driving force behind SEH’s project funding and community planning services. She excels in managing diverse projects, including comprehensive planning, zoning services, subdivision review, tax incremental financing planning, and grant writing for infrastructure improvements. With 25 years of experience in land use planning, zoning administration, and grant writing, Brea has empowered communities to implement their land use and developmental goals, and her strategic use of funding sources ensures impactful and sustainable growth for the clients she serves. Brea is actively involved in industry associations, including the American Planning Association.

Scott Haupt, PE*
Senior Engineer | Civil Engineering

Scott joined SEH in 2007 and brings 25 years of industry expertise. As a client service manager and project manager, he has a long and diverse history of delivering projects, including street and utility design, pedestrian facility design, site design, preparation of feasibility reports and bidding documents, and construction administration. Scott serves several clients in the Twin Cities area and is the consultant city engineer for Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. He’s in his eighth year serving on the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and is the past president of the organization.

*Registered Professional Engineer in MN, WI

Emily Honerbrink
Senior Strategic Marketing Manager | Marketing/Communications

Emily is a seasoned marketing professional with nearly 17 years of experience, including almost a decade in the AEC industry. As senior strategic marketing manager, she enhances the firm's market presence, drives client engagement, and fosters a positive work environment. She actively participates in the Twin Cities Chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Engineers and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota, contributing to SEH's visibility and industry engagement. Known for her innovative approach, Emily drives digital transformation at SEH using tools like HubSpot and AI to streamline processes and boost performance.

Alex Jauch, AIA*, NCARB
Senior Architect | Architecture

With over 11 years of diverse architectural, interior, and landscape design experience, Alex is known for his strong client relationships and problem-solving skills. He has design and project management experience with commercial interiors, transportation, mixed-use, and municipal development projects. His expertise spans programming and space planning, public outreach, construction documentation delivery, and construction administration. He is also dedicated to researching and implementing a variety of technologies within his architectural group and across SEH. Alex is an active member of the American Institute of Architects.

*Registered Professional Architect in CO, MT, MO, WA, WY

Mike Lyons, PE*
Senior Engineer | Highway Design

Mike joined SEH in 2016 in our Des Moines, Iowa office, bringing over two decades of experience in the transportation industry. He has served as a project manager and lead designer on various roadway design projects for state departments of transportation, counties, and municipalities. With expertise in highway design, project planning, client communication, and public involvement, Mike has ensured the successful execution of numerous roadway and interchange design projects. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Iowa Engineering Society.

*Registered Professional Engineer in FL, IA, KS, MN, NC, SD, TX

Matt Massa, PE*
Senior Engineer | Architecture

Matt is a mechanical engineer, project manager, and leader of the west region mechanical and electrical engineering team. With over 16 years of professional experience, he has worked in multiple industries across the country. He collaborates closely with SEH's architecture, civil, and structural practices, providing engineering services to public, private, and federal clients. Demonstrating versatility, leadership, and a commitment to excellence, Matt's contributions are key to SEH's success.

*Registered Professional Engineer in AZ, CO, FL, NE, NY, UT, WA, WV

Jeff Nussbaum, PE*
Senior Engineer | Water Engineering

With over 28 years of experience in water engineering, Jeff has been a driving force behind numerous successful projects since he joined SEH in 2016. His extensive expertise spans feasibility studies, planning, design, construction, and project management for a wide array of projects. These include public well siting and design, private drinking water projects, water distribution systems, water booster stations, wellhouses, water filter plant improvements, water tower coatings rehabilitation, and sanitary sewer systems. Jeff has also worked on low pressure sanitary sewer systems, sanitary sewer force main and lift stations, and wastewater treatment plants. 

*Registered Professional Engineer in WI

Dan Schaefer, PE*
Senior Engineer | Wastewater Engineering

Since joining SEH in 2014, Dan has served as a supervisor, project manager, client service manager, and office manager. In the industry since 2005 and spending 10 years with a global engineering firm, Dan has gained experience in many facets of wastewater treatment design for public, private, and federal clients. He is a licensed wastewater operator, helping operators optimize treatment processes for municipal and industrial clients. Dan is involved multiple professional organizations, including Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association, Water Environment Federation, and Wisconsin Rural Water Association. He is also a member of the Water Environment Associations for Central States, Michigan, and Montana.  

*Registered Professional Engineer in CO, KY, MI, NC, TN, WI

Mark St. Michel, CPA, MBA
Financial Analyst Manager | Finance and Accounting

Mark is an experienced finance manager with more than three decades of industry expertise. Since joining SEH, he has significantly improved the company's finance functions. His leadership in budgeting, incentive pay calculations, and bonus processes have established him as a trusted expert. Spearheading significant projects, Mark’s contributions and mentorship are vital to SEH’s financial health and transparency.

Monte Sudbeck, PLS*
Land Surveyor | Planning and Development

Monte’s 22 years of experience as a senior professional land surveyor have been instrumental in providing land survey support services for the utility industry. His expertise includes property research, topographic, boundary, easement, and mining claim surveys, in addition to project management. Dedicated to advancing the profession in Colorado, Monte is licensed in six states and actively involved in the Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado and the Central Colorado Professional Surveyors chapters. 

*Registered Professional Land Surveyor in CO, NE, NV, OK, UT, WA

Melissa Underwood
Senior Planner | Airport Planning and Design

With 23 years of airport planning and design experience, Melissa understands that through precise planning and forward-thinking any project is possible. As a private pilot, she offers valuable airport management and operations insights, and her vast experience in public involvement ensures communities are well-informed about future airport developments. Over the past three years, she has led the Wisconsin aviation growth strategy team to increase SEH’s work with Wisconsin airports. Melissa is an active member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Minnesota Council of Airports, and Wisconsin Airport Management Association, where she contributes to the Conference Planning Committee.

Natalie White, PWS, CMWP
Regional Practice Leader | Natural Resources

Natalie is a wetland scientist, certified Minnesota wetland professional, and botanist with 15 years of expertise. She excels in wetland permitting, agency coordination, and vegetation maintenance for restoration projects. Utilizing her strong background in state and federal environmental reviews, wetland bank development, and conservation management plans, Natalie has led various construction, design, permitting, and survey projects. Her passion for wetland conservation is reflected in her active participation in the Society of Wetland Scientists and the Wetland Professionals Association.

*Registered Professional Engineer in MN