JACKSON, MS Neel-Schaffer, Inc., announces it has strengthened its roadway and bridge design capabilities in its East Region by making five key hires.

The moves come as Neel-Schaffer positions itself to expand the services it offers to clients throughout its East Region, comprised of Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

"These engineers will help add depth and great experience to two key services we offer," said Craig Hanchey, Senior Vice President for Neel-Schaffer's East Region. "They will greatly help us expand our roadway design and structural engineering capabilities throughout Alabama and Tennessee and all the states we serve across the South."

Micheal Morris will work in the firm's Nashville, Tennessee, office. He has over 30 years of experience in roadway design, project management, and construction administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Tennessee Tech University.

Win Petrone and J. Clifton Price each have more than 35 years of experience in structural and bridge engineering, and they will be based in the firm's office in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.In addition to experience in structural engineering, Petrone has over 25 years of experience in project management and structural department management.  Petrone is experienced in design and management of a variety of project types, including bridge hydraulics, bridge structures, bridge repairs design, utility structure design, airport slab design, construction management, and industrial structures.

Price, whose resume includes structural engineering experience in bridge design, environmental structures, and industrial plant modifications, holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Price is also licensed as a Land Surveyor in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Buddy Black recently retired from the Alabama Department of Transportation, where he worked for 37 years, 18 in management. He served 10 years as the Assistant State Aid Bridge Engineer, and eight as the State Bridge Engineer. He will be based in Neel-Schaffer's Birmingham, Alabama, office.

Black began his ALDOT career designing bridges for Corridor X, the I-22 interstate corridor that stretches from Memphis to Birmingham. In one of his final acts at ALDOT, as State Bridge Engineer, he signed the contract documents for the Birmingham interchange that will complete the corridor, connecting I-22 with I-65. Black holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Alabama.

Daniel Mundie has six years of experience as a structural designer, working on several $100-million-plus design build projects for another consulting firm. He holds two degrees from Auburn University, a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, and a Master of Science in structural engineering. He will work in the firm's Birmingham office.