RPA Gives – Salvation Army

At RPA, we love being able to support our employees’ efforts to give back to the community through our RPAgives program. This holiday season, Jessica Eaton and Ryan Seyler took time to volunteer and ring bells for the Salvation Army.
 
“I am a member of Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office was looking for extra bell ringers from SAR to help the Salvation Army. So, Ryan and I took the volunteer hours that RPA gave us and took a shift ringing bells at Albertson’s. We were competing against the Fire Department to see who could raise the most. Last year the Fire Department beat us by $6; this year the Sheriff’s Office raised $4,382 and the Fire Department raised $1,371. It’s always a good feeling, volunteering, especially around the holidays. The people in Helena are very generous!” – Jessica

Welcome to RPA, Mathew Wilder, PE

Mathew T. Wilder, PE, has joined RPA’s Helena office as a Project Manager in the Airports Group. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming, Mathew brings 12 years of civil engineering experience with a primary focus in airport design, construction, maintenance, operations, and safety. Additionally, he has worked with various government agencies in the coordination and approval of federal grants for several airports throughout the northwest. As a project manager at RPA, Mathew will apply his extensive knowledge and industry experience to provide high-quality, responsive engineering design services to current and future clients.

Welcome to RPA, Neal Levang, PE

Neal Levang, PE, has joined RPA as a Design Team Leader in the Water and Wastewater Group in the Helena office. He is a graduate of Montana State University-Northern with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Design Drafting Technology. Neal has 15 years of experience in design of municipal water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities with a focus on the construction management. As a design team leader at RPA, he will assist in overseeing project development and review work completed on projects to assure that engineering design uses appropriate technology and meets the firm’s standards of accuracy and completeness.

 

Welcome to RPA, Elizabeth Barton

Elizabeth Barton, EI, has joined RPA’s Streets and Highways Group as an Engineering Designer/Construction Technician. Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Montana State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with highest honors. She interned with RPA for two summers gaining valuable hands-on experience and exposure to a variety of projects. At RPA, Elizabeth is responsible for assisting with various aspects of highway design, including data collection and analysis, report writing, and plans production. Elizabeth’s strong work ethic and dedication to her chosen profession make her an excellent addition to the RPA team.

 

Kaela Murphy, PE, is Promoted to Water/Wastewater Project Engineer

Kaela Murphy

Kaela Murphy, PE, has passed the Principles and Practices of Engineering Examination and is now a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Montana. In addition to this significant milestone in her career, Kaela’s recent contributions and increasing responsibilities has earned her a promotion to Project Engineer in the Water/Wastewater Group. Kaela holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Bio Resource Option, with honors from Montana State University. She also holds an Associate of Science degree in Engineering from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. Kaela joined RPA in 2018 and has proven herself an invaluable team member of the Water/Wastewater Group. In her new role, Kaela will plan and conduct engineering studies, prepare construction drawings and specifications and oversee construction observation and contract administration.

Scott Randall, PE, PTOE, is Named Vice President of Human Resources

RPA is pleased to announce Scott Randall, PE, PTOE, as our newly elected Vice President of Human Resources. As Vice President of Human Resources, Scott is responsible for developing and executing human resource and marketing strategies in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of RPA. This includes developing and implementing companywide policies and procedures, contributing to firm-wide marketing, staffing, training and development, and performance management.

In addition to his new duties as Vice President of Human Resources, Scott is RPA’s Transportation Planning and Operations Group Manager. Scott began his career with RPA in 2007 and has 19 years of experience in the transportation industry. He successfully oversees the operations of the group and provides traffic engineering, transportation planning, and project management expertise on projects throughout the northwest. Additionally, Scott served on RPA’s ESOP Board of Trustees from 2015 – 2021, holding the Chairman position for the last four years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Transportation from Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman.

Chris Hayes, PE, is Promoted to Water/Wastewater Assistant Group Manager

Chris Hayes, PE, has been promoted to Assistant Group Manager of the Water/Wastewater Group.  Chris holds a Master of Science degree in Project Engineering and Management from Montana Tech in Butte, coursework in Civil Engineering Pre-Master’s Degree Program from Montana State Bozeman, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Montana State University – Northern in Havre. Chris joined RPA in 2006 and has 20 years of management and design experience on numerous water and wastewater treatment, storage, collection, and distribution system projects. In addition to his valuable contributions to the Water/Wastewater Group, Chris has served on RPA’s Board of Trustees since 2018.  In his new role, Chris will continue developing and managing projects and assist with the group’s marketing, administration, and quality control.  

Brandon Theis, PE, is Promoted to Site Development Group Manager

Brandon Theis

Brandon Theis, PE, has been promoted to Site Development Group Manager. He began his career at RPA’s Kalispell Branch Office in 2005 and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. For nearly two decades, Brandon has served as one of RPA’s leading municipal engineers providing project management, civil engineering design, and construction administration services for numerous urban street and site development projects. In his new role, Brandon will oversee the entire Site Development Group and will primarily be responsible for the group’s marketing, administration, and quality control.

Lance Bowser, PE, is Promoted to Airports Group Manager

Lance Bowser

Lance Bowser, PE, has been promoted to Airports Group Manager. He joined RPA in 2004 and has over 20 years of experience in the airport industry. Lance has completed master planning, airport layout plans, environmental assessments, land acquisition, airport design, construction inspection, and overall project management and administration for nearly 100 airport improvement projects with over 20 airports across Montana. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Montana State University – Northern in Havre and is a licensed professional engineer in Montana and Colorado.

Stephen Markwardt, PE, is Promoted to Design Team Leader

Stephan Markwardt

Stephen Markwardt, PE, has been promoted to Design Team Leader in RPA’s Streets and Highways Group. He works in the Helena office and holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University.  In this role, Stephen will oversee project development to ensure work is completed on schedule, meets the client’s expectations, and adheres to the appropriate industry standards. This promotion is a fitting recognition of the hard work and dedication Stephen has continually shown in the Streets and Highways Group.