Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME) recently announced its newest senior associates and associates. SME President Mark Kramer, P.E., made the announcement and congratulated the individuals on their leadership, hard work, teamwork, professional development activities, as well as their commitment and dedication to SME's clients, their profession, and SME.

Mike Gase, C.W.I., A.S.N.T. III, senior project consultant in SME's Plymouth office, was named a senior associate. Gase has 25 years of experience, including 20 at SME, and manages projects related to structural steel, welding, industrial piping, nondestructive testing, and failure analysis of structural materials. He is a certified welding inspector through the American Welding Society (AWS) and an American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Level III Magnetic particle Tester (MT) through ASNT. He is an active member of AWS and ASNT.

Mark Michener, C.D.T., senior roofing consultant in SME's Plymouth office, was named a senior associate. With over 35 years of experience, including 21 at SME, Michener provides solutions for roofing/waterproofing and historic restoration projects. He assists clients with achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation and is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council. Michener is a construction document technologist through the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).

Tom Skotzke, manager of Information Systems in SME's Plymouth office, was named a senior associate. With 20 years of experience, including 16 with SME, Skotzke manages the firm's computer information systems. He develops specialized software and database programs for a variety of projects, and serves on the ACEC/M Management Information Systems Committee.

Nick Larabel, C.P.G., project geologist in SME's Kalamazoo office, has been named an associate. With 15 years of experience at SME, he manages hydrogeologic studies for various projects including geothermal, wastewater and storm water facilities. He also provides sustainable solutions for brownfield redevelopment projects. Larabel is a certified professional geologist through the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG). He chairs the city of Plainwell Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and serves on the Downtown Development Authority Board. He is also a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and the National Ground Water Association.

Rhonda Miller, C.H.M.M., project consultant in SME's Plymouth office, has been named an associate. Miller has 17 years of experience, including 10 at SME, and specializes in toxic release inventory (TRI) reporting, environmental due diligence, and brownfield redevelopment projects. She is a certified hazardous materials manager through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management. She is a member of the Certified Hazardous Materials Managers of Michigan Credential Outreach Committee and is a member of Inforum (formerly known as the Women's Economic Club of Detroit).

Ron Pelkie, C.D.T., materials consultant in SME's Plymouth office, has been named an associate. With 20 years of experience, including 19 with SME, he provides solutions for roofing/waterproofing issues related to building envelopes. He specializes in infrared thermography and preparing plans/specifications for rehabilitation. Pelkie is a construction document technologist through CSI and is a member of the Roof Consultants Institute.

SME's team of over 220 professionals operates from eight offices in Michigan and Ohio. SME's geosciences, materials and environmental capabilities serve many markets in the built and natural environment, including commercial, development/redevelopment, education, energy, health care, industrial, retail, state/local government, telecommunications, transportation, and agriculture. For more information, visit www.sme-usa.com.