RPA Celebrates International Women in Engineering Day

In honor of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we’ve highlighted some of the amazing women here at RPA.

“My mom is an engineer, and seeing her approach challenges with ingenuity and confidence really inspired me. She taught me that engineering goes beyond problem-solving; it’s a way to make a difference. That’s what motivated me to become an engineer too.”

“As an engineering project manager, I joke that I’m a social engineer — with all the communication and coordination it takes to keep projects moving. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“One of the things I love most about working in transportation is how relatable it is. Everyone deals with traffic, road safety, or just getting from point A to B—so I can talk to anyone about what I do. It connects me to my community in a really meaningful way.”

“I hope to make an impact by designing infrastructure that not only meets technical and safety standards but also enhances the everyday lives of the people who use it. Innovative engineering can be both highly functional and aesthetically thoughtful—creating spaces that are efficient, resilient, and inspire a sense of connection.”

Welcome to RPA, Todd Lowell, Jr., EI

We are pleased to announce that Todd Lowell Jr. has joined the RPA team as an Engineering Designer in our Site Development Group. Todd brings a decade of engineering experience from his distinguished service in the U.S. Army, where he held several key leadership roles, including Project Manager and Company Commander, at various locations across the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Military Construction Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. His extensive background in engineering and leadership makes him a valuable addition to our growing team.

RPA Welcomes Three Interns

CHRIS NELSON

I attend Montana Tech University, I will be a senior this next school year, and I am studying Civil Engineering.

I am most interested in water/wastewater engineering, and that is the RPA team I am with this summer.

I am excited to explore how the RPA team designs water/wastewater facilities and hopefully see some of the construction phases of the projects.

ANDER STREULI

I just graduated this Spring with a BS in Civil Engineering from Montana State University, and this Fall I will go back to MSU for a master’s degree in Structural Engineering.

I am most interested in Structural Engineering.

I am excited to get exposure and experience with structural design this summer!

jacob spangenberg

I study civil engineering at Montana Tech and I am going into my junior year.

I am not looking into any specific areas of civil engineering although I enjoy water/wastewater and site development.

I am excited to explore all that RPA offers.

 

Welcome to RPA, Rob Ashton

We are pleased to announce that Rob Ashton has joined RPA’s Helena office as a Construction Administration Specialist in our Water/Wastewater Group. Rob brings nearly three decades of experience in water and wastewater funding, project inspection, and regulatory compliance. His deep knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to our team and clients. Originally from Provo, Utah, Rob earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Utah State University. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions and ensuring projects meet both funding and regulatory compliance requirements.

Tim Rusdal, PE, Returns to RPA

We are thrilled to announce the return of Tim Rusdal, PE, as a Senior Project Manager in our Site Development Group. A graduate of North Dakota State University, Tim brings over 30 years of civil engineering experience to our team. His career has spanned Program and Project Management roles focused on infrastructure for roads and bridges, as well as site development and water/wastewater systems for Local, State, and Federal Agencies. As a senior project manager at RPA, Tim will apply his depth of knowledge and leadership skills to provide high-quality, innovative engineering design solutions for our current and future clients.

Welcome to RPA, Jacquelyn Smith, PE

Jacquelyn Smith, PE, has joined RPA as a Senior Project Manager in the Streets and Highways Group. Jacquelyn attended Montana State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and has over 20 years of progressive design, project management and program management experience for federal, state and local governments. As a Senior Project Manager at RPA, she will oversee projects to assure quality of the work, manage project teams, track project budgets and schedules, and perform contract administration. Jacquelyn’s extensive experience and dedication to her profession, coupled with her respected reputation in the industry, make her a valuable addition to the RPA team.

Welcome to RPA, Luke Stermitz, EI

Luke Stermitz has joined the RPA Bozeman office as an Engineering Designer in the Streets and Highways Group. Luke is a recent graduate of Montana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He gained hands on experience working on a variety of highway projects through a successful internship with RPA. In his role as an Engineering Designer, Luke will utilize his experience and education to complete various aspects of highway design, including data collection, alternatives analysis, and preparation of construction documents.

Welcome to RPA, Rebekah Rongo, ASLA

Rebekah Rongo has joined the RPA Helena office as a Planning Specialist in the Transportation Planning and Operations Group. She has six years of experience with a focus on sustainable transportation, low impact development methods, and multi-modal transportation hubs. Rebekah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture with an emphasis on Urban Ecological Design and Planning. At RPA, she will assist with the development of planning projects such as corridor planning studies, feasibility assessments, regulatory research, policy development, grant applications, active transportation plans, safety analyses, and land use and environmental investigations. Her solid foundation in planning coupled with her ability to facilitate effective problem-solving on multidisciplinary teams for a variety of projects make her an excellent addition to the RPA team!

Welcome to RPA, Jennifer Steilmann

Jennifer Steilmann has joined the RPA Helena office as an Administrative Assistant. Jennifer has a diverse administrative background with over 20 years of office and clerical support experience. She is responsible for providing administrative support to all components of RPA’s day-to-day operations.  Her refined experience with client service, document organization, and completion of time-sensitive projects makes Jennifer a valuable addition to our team. 

RPAgives – Mount Helena Trail Improvements

We love supporting our employees’ efforts to give back to the community through our RPAgives and RPAvolunteers programs. RPA engineer Shane Forsythe recently volunteered with the Helena Climber’s Coalition to improve the trail to the Sunset Slab climbing area on Mount Helena. This work was done with the assistance of the City of Helena Open Lands and Trails department. Over three days, nearly 20 volunteers completed trail rehabilitation and the installation of a section of cable stairs.