President
Jeff Huffman, M.S., P.E., F.ASCE
Company/Job: Koontz Bryant Johnson William / Director of Operations
Biography: I first became a member of ASCE in 1986 as a student member at Virginia Tech and have remained a member since. Past positions within ASCE include President and VP of the Huntington Branch, two term President, VP, and four-year term Treasure of the West Virginia Section, and Marshall University student chapter faculty advisor for six years. I am currently on The Society (National) Student Chapter Conference and Competition Committee. I received the grade of ASCE Fellow Member in 2016.
I am the Director of Operations – Geotechnical & Environmental at Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams. I received my BSCE in 1988, my MSCE (Geotechnical) in 1990 Virginia Tech. I am a native of South Charleston, West Virginia and my bride, Karen (a Richmond native), and I returned to Richmond in July 2019. Outside of work, I enjoy international travel, walking/running, golfing, and reading technical papers.
If I can provide any assistance to you with ASCE or profession mentoring I can be reached at jhuffman@kbjwgroup.com.
Vice President
Kohltan Heiter, P.E.
Company/Job: HDR Engineering / Geotechnical Engineer
Biography: My name is Kohltan Heiter and I will be serving as the Vice President this year. I’m originally from Iowa and attended undergrad at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where I received my B.S. in Geological Engineering. Upon graduation in 2015, I took a leap and moved to Richmond to begin my career with HDR, where we specialize primarily in large transportation related projects. In 2016, I decided to pursue an online graduate degree through NC State, and after a grueling five years I graduated in the Fall of 2020 with a MSCE (Geotechnical).
I joined ASCE upon moving to Richmond and have really enjoyed getting to learn more about all disciplines of Civil Engineering, the interesting local projects, and networking with those involved. In my free time I enjoy golfing, cooking, travelling, and exploring the never-ending amount of restaurants and breweries in the Richmond area.
President-Elect
Andrew Bunn
Company/Job: Virginia Department of Transportation / EDGE Associate
Biography: I was involved with the Old Dominion University and Norfolk chapters of ASCE as an undergraduate civil engineering student, and graduated in 2018. I am from Virginia Beach but I’m much happier living in downtown Richmond. I interned with VDOT during my undergrad and have continued in their Core Development Program, now the EDGE program, with the goal of working in the transportation planning field. My free time is mostly spent reading up on the various industries I’m interested in, from planning to urban development to global business and finance, and exploring Richmond’s 200+ locally owned restaurants. Ask me about my spreadsheets!
Treasurer
Rob Anderson, E.I.T.
Company/Job: Timmons Group / Project Engineer
Biography:I am a Project Engineer I at Timmons Group in Richmond, VA. I graduated from Brigham Young University in 2020 with my BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering where I captained the Concrete Canoe Team to Nationals. I started my career while in school as a certified field inspection engineer in Utah and have since switched to the design side here in Virginia. I am married to the love of my life, have one yellow lab, and have a brand new baby boy born July 9th, 2021. Family is the most important thing in my life.
Secretary
Maya McCann
Company/Job: Timmons Group / Project Engineer
Biography: I am a Project Engineer I at Timmons Group in Richmond, VA. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 with my BS in Civil Engineering where I was a student member of Pitt ASCE and had the role of VP for Pitt Society of Women Engineers. I grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and after graduation found myself with a job in Richmond Virginia. I enjoy Civil Engineering because I find it to be one of the engineering fields that have an obvious direct impact on society.
Outside of my work life, I enjoy spending as much time with my dog (Fozzie Bear) and the various foster puppies that we foster. I also like to play ultimate frisbee, indoor soccer, and snowboarding.
Communications Chair
Paige Lazar, P.E.
Company/Job: Timmons Group / Project Engineer
Biography: My name is Paige and I will be serving as both your Communications Chair and Governor Relations Co-Chair.
I want to live in a world where everyone feels valued, welcome, and safe. I see civil engineering as a “people serving” field with the opportunity to create such a world through intentional design. And for that reason, I love that I get to be a civil engineer.
I graduated from The University of Dayton in 2017 and then moved to Houston where I began my career. My person life has since brought me to Virginia in 2020, and I currently work as a Project Engineer at Timmons Group in Traffic Analysis, Planning, & Design.
Outside of work I serve as a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist (Pocahontas Chapter) where I work on local, nature resource focused projects such a bluebird monitoring with the Virginia Bluebird Society, and oyster repopulation with VA Oyster Shell Recycling Program.
Community Service Chair
Isabelle Stern
Company/Job: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) / Project Consultant
Biography: I am excited to serve as the new Community Service Chair. I am from Richmond, VA and graduated with my B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2018. At Virginia Tech, I was an active member of ASCE and Concrete Canoe, both of which sparked my interest in the field. I started my career with the Building Technology Group in Chicago, IL, and I currently work for our DC office. I have experience in design, investigation, rehabilitation, and field observations of historic and contemporary buildings; I love the variety of challenges and projects. Outside of work, you can find me immersed in Richmond’s outdoor scene, playing ultimate frisbee, working on craft projects, and volunteering in the community.
Government Relations Chair
Niko Ambrose, E.I.T.
Company/Job: Virginia Department of Transportation / Traffic Engineer
Biography: My name is Niko Ambrose and I will be serving as Government Relations Chair. I graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2019. Since graduating college I have worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation as a Traffic Engineer in the Richmond District office serving my community by working on Traffic Engineering Studies and addressing citizen safety concerns.
Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dog Korra, spending time with family and friends, and watching and playing sports.
Education Outreach Co-Chair
John Myers, P.E.
Company/Job: Menard USA / Senior Design Engineer
Biography: I am excited to be serving as the Education Outreach Chair. I am originally from the Baltimore, MD area, but moved to Houston, TX after college. My family recently moved to Richmond in the Summer of 2020. Prior to moving I served on the ASCE Houston Branch board in 2015-2016, and previously served as the Younger Member Chair, and the Golf Tournament Chair. I attended Virginia Tech from 2008 to 2013, where I graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and subsequently with a M.S. in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical focus.
I am currently the Senior Design Engineer for the Menard’s Southeast Region, along with supervising all design work for both the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions. Prior to Menard, I worked in geotechnical consulting, and have been involved in a large variety of projects, including many in the oil & gas, public, and commercial sectors. Outside of work, I mostly spend my time trying to keep up with a toddler, her younger brother, and two dogs.
Education Outreach Co-Chair
Mehdi Sarayloo, E.I.T.
Company/Job: Moffatt & Nichol / Structural Engineer
Biography: This is Mehdi Sarayloo and I will be serving as the Educational Outreach Co-Chair. I originally come from Iran and moved to the US about six years ago. I graduated from the University of Toledo in 2019 with my MS in Structural Engineering. After graduation, I moved to Richmond to begin my career at Moffatt & Nichol as a Structural Engineer. My joy of creation led me to pursue civil engineering and be involved in a variety of projects, including a timber boardwalk and multiple-span bridges.
When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my wife exploring new restaurants and tourist attractions around Virginia. Hiking, playing soccer, and video games are also some of my favorite activities.
Awards and Recognitions Chair
Zachary Masri
Members Chair
Nathan Sauer
Company/Job: Contech Engineered Solutions / Area Engineer
Biography: I’m from Missouri originally and have degrees from the University of Central Missouri (Physics) and Missouri University of Science and Technology (Civil Engineering). My wife and I moved to Texas after school and I earned my P.E. working on long-span bridge projects and commercial post-tensioning applications. We moved to Richmond in 2015 and today I work for Contech Engineered Solutions as an Area Engineer for structures (bridge) technology on the east coast. I manage the company’s structural plate and specialty products portfolio in that territory.
Outside of work I spend most of my time RUNNING, working on my old house and drinking wine. My wife and I also love to travel domestically and internationally. The destinations also frequently involve wine, and/or running.
Young Member Co-Chair
Brian R. Ditzler, P.E.
Company/Job: Timmons Group / Project Manager
Biography: My name is Brian Ditzler and I will be serving as the Younger Member Chair of the Richmond Branch. I am originally from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and have been involved with ASCE since attending college where I was involved with concrete canoe. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, and have worked in private development and public works since. I started my professional career in Columbus, Ohio before my wife and I relocated to the Richmond area in 2016. We were drawn to Richmond due to the beautiful landscape and variety of local historical sites. We are excited to grow within the Richmond community and take advantage of the many new adventures available here.
In my free time, I truly enjoy spending time with my wife, Erica, and our dogs, Ruger and Jack. I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
Young Member Co-Chair
Kyle Hogan, E.I.T.
Company/Job: Timmons Group / Project Engineer
Biography: My name is Kyle Hogan and I will be serving as the Young Member Co-Chair for the Richmond Branch. Originally raised in Moorestown, NJ, I left for the wide-open spaces and mountains of Virginia and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2019. After college, I moved to Richmond and joined Timmons Group as a Project Engineer on the transportation design team. My favorite part of being a civil engineer is the opportunity to work on projects that will have a direct impact on the places we live. I look forward to sharing my passion for community service and helping connect young professionals to our ASCE Richmond branch.
Outside of work, I can be found hiking along the James River, playing kickball, and cheering on the Yankees to another playoff run! I’m also an avid runner and plant parent
Webmaster Chair
James Dishner, E.I.T.
Company/Job: JMT / Water Resources Engineer
Biography: My name is James Dishner and I will be serving as the webmaster for the Richmond Branch. I am from West Virginia, graduating from Marshall University in 2020 with my B.S. in Civil Engineering. In college I was involved with ASCE and the concrete canoe. After graduating, I moved to Richmond where I currently work for JMT in the water resources department. I enjoy the opportunities Richmond has to offer, the ability to help communities as a civil engineer, and the opportunity to stay involved with ASCE.
In my free time I enjoy travelling, going on runs and hikes, and exploring the local breweries.
Past President / Advisor
Matthew S. Amonette, P.E.
Company/Job: Engineering Consulting Services / Project Engineer / National Account Manage
Biography: I graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in May 2013 and a M.S. in Civil Engineering (with a Geotechnical focus) in December 2014. Following my graduation from Virginia Tech, I accepted a job with ECS Mid-Atlantic in Richmond to work as a Geotechnical Engineer with the Special Projects Group. My time so far with ECS and in Richmond has been a fun and rewarding experience! Our group specializes in large transportation projects as well as power and utility work.
In my time at Virginia Tech, my participation as the outreach chair for the Geotechnical Student Organization (GSO) was a great way to branch out and meet other engineers in our industry as well as host outreach events for kids to stimulate the minds of our future engineers. I had the pleasure of creating a relationship between Virginia Tech’s ASCE chapter and GSO to the point where we held joint meetings. I enjoy hearing everyone’s perspectives on how to approach issues that confront us as Civil Engineers. Being a part of the GSO and now continuing that participation with the ASCE helps me advance in the fundamentals behind the role of Civil Engineers in our society.
I enjoy fishing, golf, running, and pretty much anything out on the water.