Welcome to RPA, Colin Sassano

Colin Sassano has joined the Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) Helena office as an Engineering Designer/Construction Technician in the Water and Wastewater Group. Colin is a recent graduate of Carroll College where in addition to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, he also played linebacker and served as team captain of the Fighting Saints Football Team. He interned with RPA for two summers, gaining valuable hands-on engineering experience working on a variety of water and wastewater projects. In his role as an Engineering Designer, Colin assists with various reports, data collection and analysis such as sludge sampling and flow measurements, project design, and construction observation.

RPA Welcomes Three Summer Interns

We are so excited to welcome our three summer interns, Hannah, Emma, and Dustin. Throughout the summer, they will be assisting our groups on all project types and gaining hands on experience in things such as surveying, inspection, engineering design, and reporting.

Hey, I’m Hannah! I’m a Junior at Carroll College, playing Volleyball and studying Civil Engineering Broadfield. Go Saints! I became interested in civil engineering because of the real-world application. Being able to face a challenge and see your solution come to life is a goal I strive to achieve. I am so excited to intern at RPA to explore different fields of civil engineering and get the chance to learn from some of the best!

Hello! My name is Emma and I am earning my undergraduate degree as a civil engineer at Montana State University. I am currently interested in structural engineering and am working with RPA’s structural team, although I am also involved in projects within the transportation group because of my involvement with ITE on campus. I was drawn to civil engineering because I want a career in which I can make beneficial change to the world using math and systems thinking. Civil engineering is centered around communities and their needs, which means I can show up to my internship every day and help to make a positive impact with the work I partake in. I am excited to be learning from the wonderful mentors I have here at RPA and am very grateful for their wisdom, kindness, and patience as they teach me what engineering looks like outside of a classroom.

Hi, I’m Dustin and I am currently going to school for civil engineering at Montana Tech in Butte. I am most excited to learn about all the different things that civil engineering has to offer and to learn from all the engineers at RPA. My main interest in civil engineering is wastewater design. I also love using AutoCAD and am looking forward to spending time in the office and out in the field. Some of my interests outside of work are hunting, fishing, and being on the lake with family and friends. 

Welcome to RPA, Michael Nehring

Welcome to RPA, Carson Harken

Welcome to RPA, Jason Brown

Jason Brown has joined the Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) Kalispell office as a Senior CADD Operator. In addition to studying Architecture at the University of Idaho, Jason has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Design from the ITT Technical Institute in Spokane, Washington. He brings 13 years of drafting and design experience and provides excellent technical drawings through a variety of Computer Aided Drafting platforms. In his role as a Senior CADD Operator, Jason is primarily responsible for applying engineering design standards to prepare construction drawings for a wide array of projects.   

Tyler Jirges, PE, is Promoted to Structural Project Engineer

Tyler Jirges, PE, has passed the Principles and Practices of Engineering Examination and is now a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Montana. In recognition of this accomplishment and his contributions to RPA, he has been promoted to Project Engineer in the Structures Group. Tyler holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University (MSU) as well as a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with Highest Honors from MSU. He joined RPA full-time in 2018, following two years as an engineering intern, and has proven himself an invaluable team member of the Structures Group. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time on the Yellowstone River and exploring the mountains around Livingston with his wife and four children.

RPA Receives Business and Industry Partnership Award

RPA recently received our first ever Business and Industry Partnership Award from Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC)! During the summer of 2022 the coordinator of the Land Survey program at FVCC resigned. With short notice FVCC turned to Idaho State University (ISU) and their on-line service to provide the land survey classes required for their A.A.S. degree in Land Survey.  As a part of these classes each student was required to find a mentor to perform their field labs. These students had no connection to land surveyors and no time to develop these connections. Luckily, RPA has had a long-standing relationship with FVCC and this program and was able to step in and create a group of local Professional Land Surveyors to volunteer their time to provide this mentorship.  Mentoring has taken place every Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the 2022-2023 school year.

“It is an honor to be a part of a company that is willing to jump in to ensure that a well needed program remains in place for this state’s education system.  Thanks to RPA and our President, Craig Jenneskens, for saying yes.”

– Jason Smith

ASCE Student Bridge Competition

RPA Structural Engineers, Matt Miller and Tyler Jirges, served as judges for the ASCE Pacific Northwest Steel Bridge Competition at Montana State University.

“It was an honor and privilege for RPA to participate in the judging of ASCE’s Pacific Northwest Steel Bridge Competition held at Montana State University.  It was inspiring to see the ingenuity, passion, and immense teamwork by each college represented!  Some talented young engineers in the making and coming into the profession.  Congratulations to each team participating in this year’s competition!” – Matt Miller

RPA Trap Team

Recently RPA fielded a trap team as part of their Gold Level Sponsorship of the 2023 Carroll college Saints to the Front and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter Trap Shoot Fundraiser.

This fundraiser is organized by two amazing student groups at Carroll College with the goal of raising money for their group and building a presence in the community:

The Saints to the Front group provide students with the opportunity to learn about the US Army and the role it serves, as well as teaches students leadership skills.

And Carroll’s ASCE Student Chapter is focused on helping engineering students get ready for life after graduation, and let me tell you, the future of engineering is bright!

Stephen Markwardt awarded Don Thompson Memorial Trophy

Congratulations to RPA engineer, Stephen Markwardt, who was recently awarded the Don Thompson Memorial Trophy. Outside of the office, Stephen has been a volunteer Great Divide Ski Patroller for the past eight years and received the award for being an “Outstanding Patroller participating in the Senior Program.”

The Senior Program provides advanced training enhancing medical and leadership skills. At the end of the winter ski season, participants attend a Senior Evaluation where their skills are tested and scored in a variety of staged accident scenarios. The Senior Candidate that displays the overall best attitude and performance during the Senior Evaluation is awarded the trophy. Keep up the great work Stephen!