Our Team
Our Executive Team
Our executives are the architects of the big picture—shaping strategy, nurturing culture, and making sure our mission stands strong. They’re also engineers, because yes, it’s true, we’re an engineering firm led by actual engineers.
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David I. Grindley, MCE, PE
Principal Engineer
David is one of GWE’s two executive partners and serves as a structural engineer, primarily conducting structural inspections and remediation design associated with residential and commercial insurance claims throughout Florida. David obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of South Florida in 2009 and 2014, respectively. David holds active licensure in Florida as a Professional Engineer, as well as International Code Council certifications as a Residential Building Inspector, Commercial Building Inspector, and Building Plans Examiner. David also holds Department of Financial Services accreditation as a certified claims adjuster, an instructor/continuing education provider, and a neutral evaluator. During football season you will find David cheering on his favorite teams, the USF Bulls and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Jonathan H. Williams, PE
Principal Engineer
Jon Williams is one of GWE’s two executive partners and serves as a structural engineer, primarily conducting structural inspections and remediation design associated with residential and commercial insurance claims throughout Florida. Jon obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of South Florida in 2006. Jon holds active licensure in Florida as a Professional Engineer, as well as International Code Council certification as a Residential Building Inspector. Jon also holds a Department of Financial Services accreditation as a neutral evaluator, FEMA certification for preliminary damage assessment, and several additional certifications in the identification and mitigation of asbestos.
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Kimberly Sikorski
Director of Business Operations
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Sarah Rohanna
Director of Business Development & Client Partnership
Having joined Grindley Williams Engineering at its inception, Sarah has helped shape the firm’s client-focused culture and commitment to lasting relationships. As Director of Business Development & Client Partnership, she is passionate about creating exceptional client experiences and building partnerships that stand the test of time. She works collaboratively with clients and the GWE team to ensure responsive communication, seamless service, and dependable results. Sarah believes trust is earned through keeping commitments, doing what’s right for the client, and making every interaction a positive experience. She is proud to represent a firm that combines the resources and expertise of a larger organization with the personalized service and flexibility of a trusted partner.
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Joshua Smith, PG
Principal Geologist & Director of Field Services
Josh brings 17 years of geologic sleuthing to GWE, with deep expertise in sinkhole inspections, geotechnical forensics, and ground settlement investigations. He’s published on karst terrain hazards, tackled projects from Florida to abroad, and still finds joy in getting “down and dirty” in the field. A people-first leader, Josh thrives on teamwork and mentoring others.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys surfing, fossil hunting with his children, and collecting vintage surfboards—his collection currently numbers around 60. If he could have any superpower, it would be having gills so he could surf big waves and explore Florida’s underwater caves forever.
In the Field
Engineers, Geologists, Building Consultants, and Technicians
Our engineers, geologists, building consultants, and technicians are the pros out in the field every day. Whether battling the elements on hot summer days, digging in the dirt, or squirming through dank crawlspaces to find the answers, from storm damage to structural failures, they’re the ones who take responsibility to investigate, analyze, and explain what really happened.
Professional Engineers
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Gary Haydon, PE
Engineering Manager | TEXAS
Gary reports as one of our Professional Engineers and Project Managers. He holds over 14 years of experience in the forensic and construction industries with specific expertise in electrical engineering, design, and project management. Gary has also developed expertise in roofing and building envelope systems in the course of working in the property loss consulting industry. As a Professional Engineer with Grindley Williams Engineering, he advises clients of the origin, cause, and extent of damage to roofing, building envelope, and electrical systems that result from construction defects, lightning, hail, wind, and water intrusion.
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Carlos Morales, PE
Engineering Manager | FL
Carlos Morales reports as one of our Structural Engineers. Responsibilities include cause and origin investigation of structural failures, hail and wind damage assessment, vibration damage to structures, water source identification, and construction compliance. Carlos obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a Master of Architecture from Texas Tech University in 2003. Mr. Morales has experience in the fields of structural and water resources engineering design and holds an active licensure in Florida as a Professional Engineer.
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Vince Wicinski, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
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Erick Effendy, MSCE, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
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Justin Mickey, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
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Dana Race, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
Dana reports as one of our Professional Engineers and Project Managers. He conducts forensic engineering explorations of residential and commercial buildings to determine the causes and origin of damage. Dana has worked in the structural engineering industry since 1997. His 20+ years have afforded him a wide variety of projects from technical and financial functions of various structural projects, shop drawings and connection design, steel joists and erections, management of subcontractors, to performing field investigations regarding code compliance and premise liability issues, assessment of building damages and losses due to weather conditions, construction design defects, foundation settlement issues, indoor air quality assessment, and determination of the source of the moisture and develop remediation protocol with the removal of microbial contaminates.
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Joseph Stollings, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
Joe Stollings reports as one of our Professional Engineers. He conducts forensic engineering explorations of residential and commercial buildings to determine the cause and origin of reported damage. Joe obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida in 2012. Joe has experience in the fields of forensic engineering and water resources engineering design. He holds an active licensure in Florida as a Professional Engineer.
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Nick Alteri, PE
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
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John Andrews, PE
Professional Engineer
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Josh Brown, PE
Professional Engineer
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Stephanie Cleary, PE
Professional Engineer
Stephanie Cleary conducts forensic engineering explorations of residential and commercial buildings to determine the cause and origin of reported damage. Stephanie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2015 and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering.
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Jose Vega Hernandez, PE
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
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Sudip Subedi, PhD, PE
Professional Engineer
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Emma H. Taylor, PE
Professional Engineer
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Lan D. Vo, MCE, PE
Senior Professional Engineer
Mr. Vo is one of GWE’s Senior Professional Engineers with over 15 years of experience, and has completed over 1,300 forensic investigations. Lan's expertise is civil/structural failures which focus on a project requiring evaluation of damage from various causes including settlement-related conditions, hurricane, flood, storm, fire-related damage, construction activities/deterioration, and wood-destroying organisms. Mr. Vo is responsible in conducting forensic engineering explorations of residential and commercial buildings to determine the cause, origin, and/or duration of reported damage.
Building Consultants | Design & Repair
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Steven P. Grindley
Building Consultant, Certified General Contractor (CGC1536472), Certified Building Contractor (CBC1264006), Licensed Home Inspector (HI11220)
Steven has over 20 years of construction experience including over 8 years working alongside forensic engineers evaluating structural damage, roof damage, sinkholes, water losses, disaster mitigation and rehabilitation. Steven provides estimating and consulting services for insurance and litigation claims. His previous experience includes working as an operations manager overseeing the tasks of multiple project managers. Steven also worked as a project manager completing the construction/remodeling of over 50 projects in the greater Tampa Bay area including disaster mitigation and rehabilitation. Prior to becoming a Project Manager, Steven worked as a carpenter.
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Les Gustin
Senior Structural Designer
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Jared Riness, PE
Design Engineer
Jared Riness reports as one of our Professional Engineers and the Manager of our Design Department. Jared's experience in the structural design and construction industries has given him the expertise to handle all our design projects, ranging from new construction, additions, and restoration in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Additionally, he conducts structural damage assessments to determine the extent of damage and the repairability of structures.
Staff Engineers
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Levi DeSmidt, E.I.
Staff Engineer
Get to know Levi DeSmidt, EI
Levi DeSmidt is a staff engineer who specializes in conducting comprehensive forensic engineering investigations of residential and commercial buildings. Levi meticulously analyzes reported damage and construction defects to determine the root cause and origin. He offers qualified insights for litigation support by preparing detailed reports and presentations of forensic findings. Levi’s experience has provided him with a solid foundation in project management, leadership, and quality control staff training.
Expertise
- Fire
- Vehicle impact
- Tree impact
- Construction defects
- Adverse weather events
- Flooding
- Catastrophic ground cover collapse
- Sanitary systems
- Roofing systems
- Drone mapping
- Site modeling
Education
University of South Florida
- Bachelor’s of Science, Civil Engineering
Licensure/Certifications
- Pending Florida PE license 2026
- FAA Part 107 Unmanned aircraft
- Pilobyte Drone Mapping Mastery
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Blake Hollingsworth, E.I.
Staff Engineer
Blake Hollingsworth is a staff engineer specializing in forensic investigations of residential and commercial buildings. He evaluates property damage, construction deficiencies, and building system failures to determine the cause and origin of damage, failures, and construction deficiencies. His work includes detailed site inspections, engineering analysis, and the preparation of comprehensive reports. By combining technical expertise with a practical approach to building science, Blake delivers thorough, objective evaluations that help clients understand complex building performance issues and construction-related failures.
Expertise
- Residential and commercial building systems
- Structural framing
- Building envelope systems
- Roofing systems
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical Wiring
- Construction defects
- Fire damage
- Vehicle impact
- Tree impact
- Adverse weather events
- Flooding
- Wood decay
Education
University of South Florida
- Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Licensure/Certifications
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
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Nick Kresl, E.I.
Staff Engineer
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Loren Pittack, CGC, MSAE, E.I.
Staff Engineer
Loren Pittack conducts forensic engineering explorations of residential and commercial buildings to determine the cause and origin of reported damage. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering from the University of Miami (FL) in 2000 and a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering in 2003 at the same institution. Loren is also a licensed certified general contractor in Florida with EI/FE certification and has experience in the fields of structural engineering and construction. Loren is obsessed with everything related to the film Blade Runner.
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Mark Shupsky, E.I.
Staff Engineer
Business Development
The Business Development team serves as the bridge between our clients and our engineering experts. With a sharp focus on building meaningful relationships and understanding each client’s unique needs, the Business Development Team creates a customer experience that inspires confidence long before the first assignment and long after it’s complete.
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Melissa Roberts
Client Partnership Manager | Southeast Region
Melissa is the Client Partnership Manager for the Southeast Region at GWE and brings more than 16 years of experience building relationships within the insurance industry. Since joining GWE in 2023, she has enjoyed partnering with clients across the country, helping connect them with GWE's experts throughout the Southeast. She is passionate about making sure every client feels supported and valued. Known for her sense of humor, Melissa believes the best relationships are built on trust, authenticity, and genuinely enjoying the people you work with.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, traveling, and taking advantage of any opportunity to be outdoors. She believes that meaningful relationships and a good laugh can go a long way, both in business and in life.
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Chelsea Harris
REGIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER | TEXAS
Chelsea is the Regional Business Development Manager for Texas at GWE. Originally from Mississippi, she graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and minor in Business Administration. Now based in Dallas, Chelsea enjoys connecting with clients across Texas and ensuring that each of our partners feel valued and supported. Outside of work, Chelsea can be found cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels or traveling the country with friends and family.
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Brandi Bargeron
Regional Business Development | Florida
Brandi is the Business Development Consultant for Florida at GWE, bringing nearly eight years of experience in the engineering and insurance industries. After spending several years on the Operations side of the business, Brandi transitioned into Business Development, bringing valuable behind-the-scenes knowledge and industry experience to her role. She enjoys building strong relationships, getting to know her clients, and serving as a trusted resource when they need support. When she’s not working, Brandi is usually outside somewhere. You can find her fishing, golfing, or spending her evenings at the ballfield cheering on her boys.
Career
Want to join the team?
Check our list of job vacancies: