About Our Firm
For over 100 years, we’ve been building our firm to deliver. Generations of engineers have been learning by doing, guided by experience, developing new tools, pioneering technologies, designing firm foundations in a complex geotechnical world.
Our professional team is dedicated to your geotechnical challenge.
- You need clear problem definition
- You need smart inventive thinking
- You need practical constructible designs
- You need a partner you can trust
Let us put our TREASURY OF KNOWLEDGESM to work for you.
CONTACT US to get started!
Principal Profile
Francis J. Arland, PE
Principal
Frank Arland, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 1984 after serving as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was promoted to Principal in 2007. Frank is experienced in foundation design, heavy construction, and waterfront work, and has a special focus in design, construction, and maintenance of earth dams and levees.
Frank directs geotechnical and structural design projects. He works with clients to define project objectives and schedules, and allocates MRCE engineering resources. Frank works with MRCE engineers to establish project goals, field investigation needs, and outline analysis methods. He works with staff for report content and preparation, and reviews the results of laboratory testing, design analyses, and contract document preparation.
Frank has contributed as an expert witness for differing site conditions claims in soil and rock, and cases involving building damage, pile installation, bulkhead instability, and marine outfall construction.
Frank was recognized as an ENR “Top 25 Newsmaker” for 1997 for his support of the Ponce ocean outfall in Puerto Rico.
Education
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy, BSCE, 1979 (Commissioned Officer)
- Drexel University, MSCE, 1984
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- The Moles; Publicity Committee Chairman, Trustee
- Deep Foundations Institute (DFI); ACIP Pile Committee Member
- Society of American Military Engineers (SAME); SAME New York City Post Board of Directors, 2004-2007; 2011-present
Notable projects:
- Connecticut State Pier Complex Improvements, New London, CT
- MTA East Side Access, New York, NY
- DEP Gilboa Dam, Schoharie County, NY
- Conrail Bergen Tunnel, Jersey City, NJ
Walter E. Kaeck, PE
Principal
Walter Kaeck, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 1987. Walter managed the MRCE soil mechanics laboratory for five years. He was promoted to Principal in 2015.
Walter’s experience includes design of shallow and deep foundations, excavation support and underpinning structures, retaining walls and embankments, groundwater control, and ground improvement. He supervises design and preparation of technical work including geotechnical and baseline reports, construction specifications, and contract drawings. Walter has provided expert witness support resolving construction disputes.
Walter specializes in the design of dewatering systems to facilitate safe and efficient excavation below the water table. His expertise blends a technical understanding of groundwater flow theory with practical insight gained from trouble shooting and successful execution of construction dewatering. Walter’s proficiency with advanced groundwater modeling tools and alternative groundwater control systems including deep and shallow wells, wellpoints, ejectors, grouting, and cutoff barriers, provides clients with effective designs suited to ground conditions and project demands.
Education
- The Cooper Union, BSCE, 1987
- Cornell University, M.Eng.
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- Florida
- District of Columbia
- NCEES
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- Co-author of the authoritative 2007 book “Construction Dewatering and Groundwater Control: New Methods and Applications.”
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA)
- National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
Notable projects:
- Cornell NYC Tech Campus First Academic Building (Bloomberg Center), Roosevelt Island, New York, NY
- Amtrak Bridge over the Thames River, New London, CT
- DC WATER Blue Plains AWTP Enhanced Nitrogen Removal Facility, Washington, DC
- Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant, Cannelton, KY
Sitotaw Y. Fantaye, PE
Principal
Sitotaw Fantaye, a structural engineer, joined MRCE in 2005 with 11 years of design experience. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2015 and Principal in 2019. Sitotaw has experience in structural design of excavation support and braced cofferdams, deep foundations, underpinning, utility suspension systems, and temporary structures such as work trestles and street decking.
Sitotaw is recognized for producing efficient structural designs and clear contract documents for geo-structures on sites with unique constraints and challenging subsurface conditions. Sitotaw has experience with the top-down method for excavation, where permanent floor plates are used for excavation support, to reduce construction cost or overcome site constraints.
Sitotaw enjoys creating value for clients, providing original innovative designs and value engineered solutions. He is actively involved in all stages of a project - technical design, development of contract drawings, technical specifications, and construction procedures. Sitotaw stays involved through construction process to provide client support at this important project phase.
Education
- Addis Ababa University, Awassa College of Agriculture, Diploma, 1982
- City University of New York, BSC, 1994
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- Author or co-author of deep foundation engineering papers and articles
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)
- Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), Slurry Wall Committee
Notable projects:
- 520 Park Avenue (45 East 60th Street), New York, NY
- NYCT Second Avenue Subway 96th Street Station, New York, NY
- PANYNJ I-287 Goethals Bridge Replacement over the Arthur Kill, connecting Elizabeth, NJ to Staten Island, NY
- Four Seasons Hotel and Legg Mason Office Towers’ 5-level basement perimeter wall and excavation support, East Harbor, Baltimore, MD
Jan Cermak, PhD, D.GE, PE
Principal
Jan Cermak, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 1997. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2015 and Principal in 2020
He has worked across the country and around the world on building, infrastructure, waterfront, and transportation projects. He has broad experience on complex geotechnical sites, and extensive experience developing innovative foundation and excavation support systems in urban environments. Jan has expertise in a number of specialty areas, including design of ground improvement and earth retention systems, advanced numerical modelling, seismic design, and forensic engineering. He brings his expertise and full commitment to each project, small or large, which has earned him the trust of private developers, foundation contractors, and municipal clients. Jan has published and presented worldwide on his geotechnical work.
Education
- Czech Technical University-Prague, BS, Structural Engineering, 1993
- The Johns Hopkins University, MS, Geotechnical Engineering, 1996
- The Johns Hopkins University, PhD, Geotechnical Engineering,1997
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- Maryland
- Ohio
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- Transportation Research Board (TRB) - Tunneling Committee (2010-2015), Foundations Committee (2016-Present)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute's Computational Geotechnics Technical Committee
- Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)
- Council on Tall Buildings and the Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
- Czech Geotechnical Society (CICE)
- Underground Construction Association of SME (UCA of SME)
- Urban Land Institute (ULI), NY Chapter
Notable projects:
- Columbia University's Manhattanville Campus, New York, NY
- Riverside South Development and Waterfront Park, New York, NY
- Queens West Development, Queens, NY
- Hunter’s Point South Phase 1, Long Island City, Queens, NY
- Record-setting supertall buildings in New York City and Jersey City, including 11W57, 9 DeKalb and 99 Hudson
- NYSTA Rehabilitation of North & South Grand Island Bridges, Buffalo, NY
- VDOT Downtown/ Midtown Tunnel, Norfolk to Portsmouth, VA
- CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel, Washington DC
Tony D. Canale, PE
Principal
Tony Canale, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 1995. He was promoted to Associate Principal 2015 and became a Principal in 2023.
For over twenty-five years, Tony has been involved in a wide range of design and construction projects covering transportation, commercial and residential development, and public utility structures. His responsibilities extend from due diligence and subsurface investigations to design and construction phase services. He brings a collaborative spirit to his projects in an effort to develop practical and inventive solutions that meet project challenges.
Outside the office, Tony is an advocate for the engineering profession, supporting various professional engineering societies, serving as an Adjunct Professor at Manhattan College, guest lecturing at universities and leading engineering outreach programs to K-12 students.
Education
- Manhattan College, BSCE, 1994
- Virginia Polytechnic University, MSCE, 1995
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- NCEES
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC),ACEC-NY NYS Thruway Committee
- Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), Driven Pile and Drilled Shaft Committee
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Manhattan College Adjunct Professor (2008 - present)
- Manhattan College Consultors Committee (2010-present)
- The Moles
- New York City Building Codes Committee, Structural Committee (2011-2014) (2017-present)
- Received a "40 Under 40" Leaders in the Building Design and Construction Industry Award, 2011
Notable projects:
- NYSTA Mario G. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement), Westchester County, NY
- Times Square Redevelopment (Times Square Tower and 5 Times Square), New York, NY
- CitiField (New Mets Stadium), Queens, NY
- The Spiral (66 Hudson Boulevard), New York, NY
- 441 Ninth Avenue (Hudson Commons), New York, NY
- Gotham Center 1 & 3, and Queens Plaza, Queens, NY
- UBS Arena (New Islander Arena), Elmont, NY
Anthony M. DeVito, PE
Associate Principal
Anthony is a structural engineer with 31 years of experience designing excavation support, bulkheads, and foundations for buildings, large water treatment structures, storage tanks, and transportation facilities. Anthony has a special focus on the inspection, rehabilitation, upgrades, and design of piers and other waterfront structures. This specialty covers permitting, analysis of wave forces, ship berthing and mooring forces, and structural upgrades to increase dredge depth. Anthony has pioneered use of precast concrete and repeat pattern designs to improve efficiency of new platform construction, and obtain schedule and cost savings.
Between 2015-2018, Anthony took a recess from his MRCE consulting career to support the NYC DOB Forensic Engineering Unit. Anthony became intimately familiar with building codes and emergency response management while giving this public service.
Education
- Columbia University, BS, Civil Engineering, 1988
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) - ACEC-NY Structural Codes Committee
- Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) - SAME New York City Post
Notable projects:
- LaGuardia Airport Runway Platform Extensions, New York, NY
- Ports of Albany and Renssalaer new wharves and upgrades , Albany, NY
- Hudson River Park Piers 53, 62, 63, 64, 66 and 97, New York, NY
- Thames Street Wharf Foundations and waterfront structures, Baltimore, MD
- Grove Street PATH Station New Entrance, Jersey City, NJ
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY
Srinivas Yenamandra PE
Associate Principal
Srinivas Yenamandra, a structural engineer, joined MRCE in 1999. He served as the Supervisor of MRCE’s structural foundation engineering staff from 2018-2020. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2024.
Srinivas has been involved with a wide variety of design and construction projects in New York City and Washington D.C. He has worked on various sectors including commercial and residential developments, highway and transportation, railroads and rapid transit, aviation, and health care facilities. His experience includes design of shallow and deep foundations for bridges and buildings, waterfront and offshore structures, temporary support of excavation systems, retaining walls and underpinning systems. Srinivas supervises design and preparation of technical work including design calculations and drawings, construction specifications and contract drawings.
He is also a co-author for the Foundation Challenges and Innovative Solutions: The Wharf Phase 2, Washington, DC.
Education
- M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, 1997
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, MSCE 1999
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)
- Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SMME)
- Underground Committees for Deep Foundations Institute
Notable projects:
- The Wharf, Washington DC
- John F. Kennedy International Airport - Light Rail Transit System, New York
- MDDOT / MDSHA Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Maryland
- PANYNJ Newark Airport New Terminal A, New Jersey
- NYSDOT Van Wyck Expressway Capacity & Access Improvements John F. Kennedy
- International Airport, New York
- JP Morgan Chase New Headquarters, New York
- Goldman Sachs Headquarters, New York
- World Trade Center Tower One (Freedom Tower), New York
James M. Tantalla, PhD, PE
Associate Principal
James Tantalla, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 2002. He was the manager of MRCE's in-house Soils Laboratory from 2004-2011. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2024.
James has managed numerous projects for bridges and transportation facilities, marine facilities, buildings and site development, water/wastewater facilities, utilities and dams. His services range from feasibility studies, geotechnical investigations, foundation recommendations, ground improvement, foundation and retaining wall designs and expert and forensic work. James supervises design and preparation of technical work including analyses and evaluations for settlement and stability projects, design calculations and reports, design drawings, construction specifications and contract drawings.
He has authored several publications on geotechnical subjects such as frozen soil characterization and slope stability analysis.
Publications:
Teaching An Old Giant New Tricks, 2022
Design and Construction of the Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant Cofferdam and Cut-Off Wall, 2016
Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant: Taming The Ohio River To Create Green Energy, 2016
Design and Construction of High-Capacity Rock Anchors for the Willow Island Hydroelectric Project, 2014
Characterization of Seasonally Frozen Soils for Seismic Design of Foundations,2014
Cannelton Hydroelectric Cofferdam Cutoff Wall, 2013
Spatial Variability of Material Properties for Slope Stability Analysis and Fragility Curve Generation," Ph.D Thesis, 2002
Spatial Variability of Soil Properties in Slope Stability Analysis: Fragility Curve Generation," 8th International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability, 2001
Education
- Stevens Institute of Technology, BSCE, 1996
- Princeton University, MSEM, 1998
- Princeton University, Ph.D, 2002
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
- Virginia
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Notable projects:
- NYSTA Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge - Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement, New Jersey/ New York
- NYSDOT Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project - Contract 1, New York
- PANYNJ JFK Airport - Central Terminal Area, Roadways, Utilities And Ground Transportation Center, New York
- Willow Island Hydroelectric project, West Virginia
- Cannelton Hydroelectric projects. Kentucky
Renzo D. Verastegui, PE
Associate Principal
Renzo Verastegui, a structural engineer, joined MRCE in 2003. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2024.
Renzo has managed numerous projects for buildings and site development, commercial and educational, railroad and rapid transit projects. He specializes in design of drilled and driven deep foundations, mat foundations, flexible and rigid excavation support systems, groundwater cut-off systems, ground improvement solutions, foundation anchoring systems, underpinning of buildings and tunnels, and rehabilitation of waterfront marine structures. Renzo supervises design and preparation of technical work including design calculations and reports, design drawings, construction specifications and contract drawings.
Education
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, BSCE, 2003
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, MSCE, 2008
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Notable projects:
- Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Expansion, New York
- Columbia University's Manhattanville Future Campus Expansion, New York
- NYSDOT Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project - Contract 1, New York
- NYCT No. 7 Subway Extension, New York
- The Brooklyn Tower at 9 Dekalb, New York
- 2nd Avenue Subway - 96th Street Station, New York
- New South Ferry Terminal, New York
Senior Associates
- Domenic D’Argenzio, PE
- Ketan H. Trivedi, PE
- Hiren J. Shah, PE
- Alice Arana, PE
- Joel L. Volterra, PE
- Steven R. Lowe, PE
- Andrew R. Tognon, PE
- T. C. Michael Law, PhD, PE, GE, D.GE
- Andrew Pontecorvo, PE
- Jesse L. Richins, PE, GE
- Aaron L. Sacks, PE
- Andrew R. Klaetsch, PE, PG
- Sung H. Kong, PE
- Colleen Liddy, PE
- Adam M. Dyer, PE
- Alessandro Ciamei, PE
Associates
- Farid F. Vastani, PE
- Jong W. Choi, PhD, PE
- Peter L. Madarasz, PE
- Fathey N. Elsaid, PhD, PE
- David Z. Chen, PE
- Matthew T. Ruehle, PE
- Leszek Czajkowski, PE
- Michael McMaster, PE
- Gerard Drohan, PE
- Jetinder S. Minhas, PE
- Kyle D. Sidle, PE
- James F. Brickman, PE
- Salvatore R. D’Amico, PE
- Shawn M. Barca, PE
- Christos Zoupantis, PE
- JP Binard, PE
Finance Director
- Eric A. Hoffman, CDA
Marketing Director
- Ari Eslaminejad, PE
Technical Specialists
- Peter W. Deming, PE
- Roderic A. Ellman, Jr., PE
- Alfred H. Brand, PE, D.GE
- David M. Cacoilo, PE
- Hugh S. Lacy, PE, D.GE
- George J. Tamaro, PE, D.GE
- Joel Moskowitz, D.GE
- James L. Kaufman, PE
- Robert K. Radske, PE