RESPEC Grows Structural Group with Strategic Hires

On August 1, 2022, RESPEC welcomed our newest strategic hires, joining us from SDG, Inc. (SDG), a structural engineering firm in Denver, Colorado. Gene Schaefer and the other team members strengthen RESPEC’s Infrastructure (INF) business unit. Mert Wiechman, SDG’s President, is retiring from the firm after 39 years.

These people demonstrate RESPEC’s ongoing commitment to Colorado’s public and private sectors. Gene will continue leading this team and enhancing their presence in the area. His proven leadership in his field goes back to the 1980s, while his long relationship with RESPEC started in the late 1980s. Gene has led a strong team at SDG and over the past several years has provided structural support for our Denver office.

“I’m excited to help grow RESPEC’s structural group,” says Gene. “Working out of Denver means we’re in a position to support other RESPEC offices and make Colorado a central hub for structural services in the western and central US.”

SDG’s innovation and creativity are found in structural projects throughout Colorado and surrounding states. Their projects have earned numerous recognitions, including four Engineering Excellence Awards and an Honor Award from the American Consulting Engineers Council. Their work on the Globeville Landing Outfall Redesign won the 2021 Rocky Mountain Chapter American Concrete Institute Excellence in Concrete Award – Infrastructure. They also oversaw the Ashland Reservoir Water Tank Replacement Project, which replaced two of Denver Water’s oldest tanks, originally constructed in the 1890s, with two 10-million-gallon concrete water tanks.

SDG is known for concrete water storage tank designs, civil structural design, building structures, forensic investigations, and structural rehabilitations. Since 1983, they have provided countless quality projects for public and private sector clients.

“Incorporating their expertise in concrete water storage tank designs will enhance our structural engineering services,” said Matt Emerson, INF Senior Vice President. “With their history and clientele, they’ll help us expand our structural engineering presence, especially in Colorado.”

RESPEC welcomes Gene Schaefer and the team to RESPEC!

For more information on these strategic hires, please contact us at 720.775.6407 or eugene.schaefer@respec.com.