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!

RPA Assists With The National Building Renovation In Downtown Bozeman

RPA’s structural group has been thrilled to be part of the team helping bring life back into an historic and iconic building for downtown Bozeman!  RPA designed a seismic retrofit, new interior second floor addition, and a four-story addition to the east side of the building over top of an existing original two-story building appendage. We love being a part of adaptive reuse projects in our communities! Check out more in the story linked below: https://bit.ly/3OHWfPI

Welcome to RPA, Trigve Johnson

Trigve Johnson, has joined the Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) Helena office as a Construction Technician in the Water and Wastewater Group. In addition to studying Mechanical Engineering at Montana State University, he brings three years of experience with as-built data collection, machine control, heavy equipment operation, and CAD design. In his role as a construction technician, Trigve is primarily responsible for on-site quality control and observation of construction activities in conformance with project plans and specifications. Trigve’s strong work ethic and dedication make him an excellent addition to the RPA team.

RPA Gives – SWISH Basketball Tournament

Recently, RPA had several volunteers help take part of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual SWISH basketball tournament. The SWISH is one of the longest running youth basketball tournaments in the state. This year’s tournament had nearly 100 teams spread across 10 gyms competing in five different age groups.

“I’ve been volunteering as the Four Georgian’s court supervisor for the SWISH tournament since 2017. It’s a great way to support youth basketball players from across the state, and be part of an event that brings such a great deal of business into our Helena area community for the weekend.” – Neal Levang