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!
THE MRCE LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Principal Profile
Peter W. Deming, PE
Principal
Peter Deming, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 1979. He managed the MRCE soil mechanics laboratory for eight years. Peter was promoted to Principal in 1998.
Peter’s project experience includes design of earthwork, deep excavations and the excavation process, hydraulic barriers for groundwater control, foundations, and waterfront structures. He gets involved with planning and coordination of subsurface investigations, geotechnical and structural analysis, finite element modeling, design reports, cost estimates, contract documents, construction inspection, and performance monitoring.
Peter utilizes his varied experiences to benefit client projects. He provides client contact for efficient and economic allocation of engineering resources. He has provided remedial designs and expert services for projects with complex geotechnical conditions.
Many of his projects are located outside of the NY metropolitan area.
Education
- University of Texas at Austin, BSCE, 1976
- University of Texas at Austin, MSCE, 1982
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- Ohio
- Texas
- Nevada
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- Virginia
- Washington DC
- Arizona
- Louisiana
- NCEES
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Member; Met Section Geotechnical Group Chair 1984
- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) NY Chapter Member
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); 1995-2001 Chairman of D18.20 “Hydraulic Barriers for Soil and Rock”; Special Service Award, June 2002
- The Moles, Member
- New York City Building Codes Committee, Structural Committee Member (2011-2014)
- Structural Engineers of New York (SEAoNY)
- Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
Notable projects:
- Baltimore Works Remediation, Honeywell, Baltimore, MD
- SA-7 Excavation Remedy, Honeywell, Jersey City, NJ
- Foundations at Harbor Point, including Thames Wharf, Exelon Tower, Central Plaza/Garage, Baltimore, MD
- Casino Pier Repair (Hurricane Sandy), Seaside Heights, NJ
- PGBT MSE Wall Stabilization, Carrolton (Dallas), TX
- Excavation, Barrier, and Dewatering Design, for new Units 3 and 4, South Texas Project, Bay City, TX
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
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
- James M. Tantalla, PhD, PE
- T. C. Michael Law, PhD, PE, GE, D.GE
- Andrew Pontecorvo, PE
- Renzo D. Verastegui, PE
- Srinivas Yenamandra, PE
- Jesse L. Richins, PE, GE
- Aaron L. Sacks, PE
Associates
- Douglas W. Christie, PE
- Farid F. Vastani, PE
- Jong W. Choi, PhD, PE
- Raj S. Chinthamani, PE
- Andrew R. Klaetsch, PE
- Peter L. Madarasz, PE
- Sung H. Kong, PE
- Fathey N. Elsaid, PhD, PE
- Colleen Liddy, PE
- Adam M. Dyer, PE
- Alessandro Ciamei, PE
- David Z. Chen, PE
- Matthew T. Ruehle, PE
- Leszek Czajkowski, PE
- Michael McMaster, PE
Finance Director
- Eric A. Hoffman, CDA
Marketing Director
- Martha J. Huguet, CPSM
Technical Specialists
- Roderic A. Ellman, Jr., PE
- David M. Cacoilo, PE
- Alfred H. Brand, PE, D.GE
- George J. Tamaro, PE, D.GE
- Hugh S. Lacy, PE, D.GE
- Joel Moskowitz, D.GE
- James L. Kaufman, PE
- Robert K. Radske, PE