Engineering
Keith F. Mobley, P.E., G.E., President, Principal Engineer
| Direct 907-771-9506 Cell 907-529-9180 E-mail: kmobley@nge-tft.com |
Hello, my name is Keith Mobley and I am the President and Senior Geotechnical Engineer at NGE-TFT. I am licensed as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of Alaska, as well as in California, where I am licensed as both a civil and geotechnical engineer. Since junior high school, I have known I would be an engineer. After graduating high school in Idaho Falls, Idaho, I earned degrees in Civil Engineering and Anthropology at Montana State University in 1976.
After undergraduate school, I lived in San Diego for four years working as a soils technician, laboratory manager, and junior civil engineer. During that time, I sat for the PE exam in California and passed. Although San Diego was nice, I missed the cold and snow, so I took a vacation to Alaska in February. In between skiing and climbing, I interviewed for a job in Anchorage and was offered a position before leaving to return to California. Two months later I was at my new home in Alaska.
Woodward-Clyde, Shannon & Wilson, and Golder Associates were all good to me, and for me, as I developed my engineering prowess. They all provided me with many exciting design and field projects all across Alaska (and one in Malaysia) that gave me tremendous experience. However, by the turn of the new millennium, I had decided that it was time to do my own thing. Over the years I developed core ideals regarding work quality, treating employees properly, and being properly rewarded for hard work. Northern Geotechnical Engineering was born in 2000 from these ideals. I met my current business partner, Ron Caron (owner and founder of Terra Firma Testing), in 2004, and after working together on several projects, we realized that we had similar business goals, and that our services could be mutually beneficial to both of our companies as well as our client base. As a result, we merged Northern Geotechnical Engineering and Terra Firma Testing in the summer of 2004, forming NGE-TFT.
My professional activities outside of NGE-TFT include serving as the Vice Chair of the Geoprofessional Business Council within the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), and serving on the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Geotechnical Advisory Commission.
My passions outside of work include backpacking and dutch oven cooking, which I actively participate in through my involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. I am an active member of the Order of the Arrow and an Eagle Scout (1968). I also enjoy traveling (both for work and pleasure).
Andrew C. Smith, CPG, Senior Geologist
| Direct 907-771-9507 Cell 907-727-5636 E-mail: asmith@nge-tft.com |
Hello, my name is Andrew Smith, and I am the Senior Geologist at NGE-TFT. I am a Certified Professional Geologist, licensed by the State of Alaska, and I have built my entire professional career in Alaska. I received a B.S. in Geology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1999 and a M.S. in Geology from Idaho State University in 2002. I joined NGE-TFT in 2005, shortly after the company's merger, and I feel that I have played a key role in the development of our company and the professional service that we provide. I have filled a number of roles during my tenure with NGE-TFT, but my primary responsibilities currently center on project management and the development, coordination, and execution of our varied subsurface exploration and field testing programs.
I have served on remote projects all across Alaska, and I have developed a widespread understanding of the unique demands and limitations of conducting exploration and construction projects in rural Alaska; as well as in areas with harsh climates, difficult terrain, and limited access. My specific project experiences span a range of geotechnical, geological, and environmental disciplines including the support of civil infrastructure projects,commercial/residential construction, natural resource development, oil/gas production, energy generation and distribution, and commercial fishing/processing. I also have a strong technical writing background and I have extensive experience compiling technical documents and providing peer review. I am an active member of the Geoprofessional Business Association(GBA) and am a graduate of GBA’s Fundamentals of Professional Practice program. I am also a member of the Board of Directors for NGE-TFT.
I was raised in the Hill Country around Austin, Texas; and despite all of the good things that the Great State of Texas has to offer, I have always been attracted to more mountainous terrain and cooler climes. This attraction was fostered during my youth through my involvement with the Boy Scouts, and during my early collegiate years through my participation in various geologic field studies across the southwestern US. After undergraduate school, I explored the Rockies and Intermountain West while living in Idaho and working on my graduate degree. My curiosities eventually brought me to Alaska, where I now live with my lovely lady and our black lab in the Chugach Mountains along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet. While not at work, I try to spend as much time as possible in pursuit of my recreational passions which hinge around fishing, hunting, snow sports, and various other outdoor activities. I a man avid sport and music fan, and I often travel in pursuit of both. I try to complement my recreational and enthusiast pursuits with life’s more simple pleasures like good food and good drink, and I enjoy sharing them all with my friends and family who are scattered all across the country.
Andrew L. Fortt, Phd, Project Engineer/Laboratory Manager
| Direct: 907-771-9503 E-mail: afortt@nge-tft.com |
My name is Andrew
Fortt and I’ve had the fortune to work at NGE-TFT since 2012. At that time, I
managed to convince my wife and one-year old daughter that it was in our best
interests to pack up our belongings into the back of a truck and drive across
the country from Vermont, to fill a job posting for a geotechnical engineering position that I had found advertised on Craigslist.
It turned out to be a
great decision, and I have found my position at NGE-TFT to be enjoyable and
rewarding. I serve as a project engineer at NGE-TFT and I am the manager of our
materials testing laboratory. I’ve worked on a wide variety of geotechnical
engineering projects including shallow and deep foundations, foundations on permafrost,
liquefaction analyses, concrete mix designs, and passive refrigeration systems.
I’ve conducted geotechnical field explorations for a variety of projects
ranging from single family homes to gravel borrow mines, and I have travelled
across Alaska to locations ranging from Point Hope to Unalaska. As laboratory
manager, I am also responsible for the day-to-day operations and quality
control of the laboratory. I also established our advanced testing laboratory which has enabled us to provide high-level material strength testing services.
Prior to working at
NGE-TFT, I spent several years at Dartmouth College conducting research and
advanced materials testing, specifically pertaining to the low temperature
properties of materials. My experience included designing and fabricating
laboratory equipment to measure the strength, friction, and thermal properties
of materials. I served as a consultant for NASA’s return to flight program from
2004 to 2005. I am also the primary author of several peer reviewed papers on the mechanical behavior of ice.
I hold a Masters
Degree in Mechanical Engineering Design from the University of Glasgow which I
obtained in 2001. I subsequently moved to the United States to pursue a
Doctoral Degree in Materials Science at Dartmouth College, which I received in
2006.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife and two young daughters, and we try to take advantage of all the great outdoor experiences that Alaska has to offer. I enjoy hunting and fishing and I am currently working on my recreational pilot’s license.
View Resume
Clinton J. Banzhaf, P.E., Senior Project Engineer
| Direct: 907-771-9508 E-mail: cbanzhaf@nge-tft.com |
Hello everyone, my
name is Clinton J. Banzhaf. I am licensed as a Professional Civil Engineer in
the State of Alaska and have been working with NGE-TFT since 2011, but let me
start from the beginning of my life in Alaska. In 2000, my parents and I moved to
this amazing state from Wyoming. Upon graduating from high school, I started on
a path to become a mechanical engineer at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM),
but I always had an interest in civil engineering. After my first year of
school at CSM (and after receiving motivation and guidance from my college
advisors) I decided to embark on the strenuous task of becoming both a
mechanical and civil engineer. I graduated from CSM in December 2010 with
Bachelor of Science degrees in both mechanical and civil engineering. I also completed the Master of Science program at the University of Alaska - Anchorage with an MS in Arctic Engineering. The Arctic Engineering
program, along with my varied experiences at NGE-TFT, has armed me with many unique arctic engineering skills.
Over the course of my
life I have worked in almost every facet of construction there is, including:
operating heavy equipment for various earthworks projects, pouring concrete,
and wood/steel framing and roofing. During my college years, I returned to
Alaska every summer to work for a geotechnical and environmental drilling
company located in Anchorage. The drilling company that I worked for supports
NGE-TFT on the majority of their geotechnical exploration projects, and one of
these projects led to my eventual employment at NGE-TFT. I have felt at
home ever since. Since beginning my tenure with NGE-TFT, I have had the
opportunity to hone my engineering skills with the construction skills that I
developed in my younger years. I have had the privilege to work on and manage
several challenging projects including pavement/road design; residential
and commercial building foundations; tower foundations; permafrost foundations
(North Slope); shallow and deep foundations; foundation repairs; pile design
(pipe, pin, helical, freeze-back); offshore platform foundation; weigh
stations; dam safety inspections; dam repair and enlargement; along with
drilling for geotechnical explorations and environmental testing, just to name
a few.
I thrive on outdoor actives including: hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, kayaking, and off-roading.
View Resume
Josselynn Schneider Curry, E.I.T., Project Engineer
| Direct: 907-771-9513 E-mail: jcurry@nge-tft.com |
Hello, my name is Josselynn Schneider-Curry. I am a project engineer with NGE-TFT and have been working here since the fall of 2018. I currently am an Engineer in Training (EIT) working towards becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering (2018) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A nearly life-long passion for rocks and soil lead me to this degree and career path.
While I only started working with NGE-TFT in 2018, I was exposed to construction and earthworks at a young age through my father and his construction business. In 2013, I started working for Eklutna, Inc. with their construction subsidiaries and continued to work there intermittently throughout college during my winter and summer breaks. I am incredibly grateful to Eklutna, Inc. for the experience and their contacts that led me to NGE-TFT.
Since starting with
NGE-TFT I have had the chance be part of several projects relating to one of my
main interests: geohazards. These projects included liquefaction analyses,
slope stability analyses, foundation settlement assessments and foundation
repair recommendations. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to work on
pile design, foundation design, pavement/road design, and gabion wall design.
I
have a wide variety of interests and hobbies outsides of work including
reading, art, hiking, bowling, and community involvement. I also have a dog,
Scout, who I spoil endlessly and take on adventures.
Materials Testing & Inspection
Ron J.P. Caron, C.E.T., Vice President, CoMET Director
| E-mail: rcaron@nge-tft.com |
Greetings, I am Ron Caron, and I am a co-founder and Vice President of NGE-TFT. I am registered as a Certified Engineering Technician by the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists and I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of our materials testing and special inspection departments. Some key words that define who I am are: integrity; commitment; and devotion to detail. One of my favorite sayings is “You only get one chance to make a first impression”, and I reinforce this mantra with all of our employees at NGE-TFT. I use my professional experiences and foresight to proactively address issues before they become real problems, which has - in part, led to the success that our company has enjoyed over the years.
I grew up in Eastern Canada, and after graduating from
Dawson College with an associate degree in civil engineering, I launched my
professional career in Edmonton, Alberta; where I began my specialization in
the field of advanced soil strength testing. Over the years I honed my
technical skills in the laboratory environment (which is my true passion to
date) and developed a mastery of my field, which eventually led to my first
position in Alaska with EBA Engineering Consultants (now Tetra Tech). Upon
arrival in Alaska, I quickly fell in love with all “The Last Frontier” had to
offer and eventually learned how to hunt, fish, and prospect from the local
Sourdoughs. I founded Terra Firma
Testing in Anchorage, Alaska in 1998 in an attempt to offer quality,
value-based materials testing services to a thriving construction industry
which (at the time) had limited and underperforming CoMET provider
options. I subsequently merged Terra Firma
Testing with Northern Geotechnical Engineering in 2004 to form NGE-TFT.
In my free time, I enjoy landscaping, home remodeling, live auctions, spending quality time with Charlie and Jezzy (my two prized Shelties), and of course, following my life-long hockey team the Montreal Canadiens (Go Habs!).
Mark Dean, CoMET Field Manager
| Direct: 907-771-9504 E-mail: mdean@nge-tft.com |
Hello, my name is Mark
Dean. I serve many roles at NGE-TFT, but my most demanding position is as
acting Field Manager for our CoMET technicians and inspectors. I also am one of
our Senior Special Inspectors and Materials Testing Technicians. I have
been with NGE-TFT since 2004, just as NGE and TFT were merging forces, and I
have played a pivotal role in the growth of the company. My primary focus
is towards client service and satisfaction.
I have applied my
trade all over the state of Alaska, from remote projects only accessible by
boat or plane, to communities all along the Alaska road system. My varied
experiences have provided me with a unique understanding of the logistics
associated with operating in this great state. I have always been
able to deal with unique situations and make quick, competent decisions to
resolve problems that arise during the construction process.
I was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and relocated to Alaska in the winter on 1968 when my father was re-stationed by the Air Force. Being raised in Alaska most of my life, I have had the privilege of watching this state “grow up”, and I am proud to call myself an Alaskan and I enjoy this great state that I call home. I am a big outdoor enthusiast and love to hike, bike, ski, snowmachine, camp, and ride ATVs. My other passions include tinkering with my 1978 Trans Am, traveling, music, movies, cooking, and of course Chicago Bears football – I never miss a game!
Norman Brent Martin, Senior Special Inspector
| Direct: 907-771-9502 E-mail: nmartin@nge-tft.com |
I moved to Alaska in 1990 as a welder for Asay Trucking to design and build steerable dollies to haul 190,000 lb. bridge girders. I started my inspection career in 1998 with PND Engineering doing inspection on the four Melt Water bridges on the Arctic North Slope west of the Kuparuk operating field. From 2000 to 2005 I worked with DOWL, LLC as a materials testing technician and special inspector. In 2005 I started with NGE-TFT, bringing with me the start of special inspections for our company.
Sean C. Totzke, Senior Technical Inspector
| E-mail: stotzke@nge-tft.com |
Greetings, I am Sean Totzke, “The” Senior Inspector and Laboratory Technician with NGE-TFT. After 21 plus years of service with the United States Air Force, I’ve turned my knowledge, honesty, integrity, and commitment to excellence towards civil inspection and materials testing all over this great State of Alaska. I’m certified through: International Code Council (ICC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA inspector #076), Western Alliance for Quality Transportation (WAQTC), National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), and Troxler Nuclear Gauge Company. Over the past years I have worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from airports, hospitals, military structures, refineries, schools, housing, roads, single/multi-level private and public facilities in the field/laboratory environment and am now using my 15 years of civil inspection and materials testing experience to assist our clients with known/unknown construction issues, directly contributing to both their and our successes.
I grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota and in an environment that bred an avid passion for sports (Football, Darts, Hockey and Golf), music (Classic Rock,Classical, with a little Country), and travel (with my Mom being from Leeds, England). Heeding the call for more than small town life, I entered the service, graduating from USAF Basic Training in March of 1982. Since then I have traveled to 40 plus states and 20 plus countries, with Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska being my second station in 1986. Through my travels, no place has matched the fishing, skiing, scenery, or the great mix of people that I have found while living in “The Last Frontier”, so I decided to call it home. In my free time I still pursue my passions: watching the Vikings live, (Skol Vikings!) seeing concerts, (Roger Waters “The Wall” in New Zealand, Meet and greet with Alice Cooper in New York) and golfing as many “Pro” courses as possible (TPC Scottsdale, Disney Palm, Wolf Creek, The Glades), all while visiting family and friends all over our country and the world.
Erik Boatwright, ICC Inspector, Engineering Technician
| E-mail: eboatwright@nge-tft.com |
Erik has worked 13 years as a technician performing Quality Assurance Testing and IBC Special Inspection. He is excellent at working with clients and owners, determining their needs and providing the services they require. Erik is responsible for performing soil density, concrete, masonry, and asphalt tests in addition to Special Inspection assignments. Erik has had experience on a variety of different construction projects across the state ranging from public to private facilities; military structures; schools and hospitals.
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Aaron F. Kaiser, Engineering Technician
| E-mail: akaiser@nge-tft.com |
Aaron is a material testing technician providing Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) testing for a variety of construction-related projects across Alaska. Aaron has 3 years of experience providing QA/QC testing of soils, concrete, and asphalt materials and is certified to operate Troxler nuclear soil density gauges. Aaron is an ACI certified concrete field testing technician. Aaron is versed in most standard ASTM soil/concrete test methods, and routinely executes these tests in both field and laboratory settings. Aaron has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to work closely with client, design engineer, and contractor to provide QA/QC testing and inspection services which conform to project specifications and help ensure contractor compliance. Aaron’s extensive background in residential/commercial construction as a carpenter has provided him with insights into the role of QA/QC on a construction site and translates into an ability to work seamlessly with construction site personnel to accomplish QA/QC goals without impeding project progress. Aaron has extensive North Slope experience.
View Resume
Justin J. Andryjowicz, Special Inspector
| E-mail: jandryjowicz@nge-tft.com |
Hello there! My name is Justin Andryjowicz, and I
am Special Inspector and Engineering Technician with NGE-TFT, as well as the
company's Radiation Safety Officer. I have over a decade's worth of
experience with the company, having been hired for our entry level position
doing seasonal materials testing, and since I've had the pleasure of working beneath
and learning from some of the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals
in our field. From when I first started working with the company, I've
spent time working in every aspect of testing and inspections, whether its
material testing in the field, material testing in laboratory settings, special
inspections, as well as training and instructing our more junior members.
Being trained and experienced in every step of special
inspections and material testing, from start to finish, I am uniquely qualified
to appreciate the importance of each stage of the process, and how they are all
interlinked and dependent on each other. As such, I put a premium on
clear, concise, and responsive communication between members of our teams and our clients.
I currently hold certifications with the International
Code Council (ICC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Municipality of
Anchorage, Western Alliance for Quality Transportation (WAQTC), International
Firestop Council (IFC), Troxler Nuclear Gauge Company, and the American Technical Institute.
In my spare time, I enjoy experiencing all the adventures
of Alaska with my family. We enjoy all the outdoors here, including
camping, canoeing, fishing, and geocaching. I've always had a life long
passion for reading and learning more about the world around me. While my
profession is construction and inspection, I've always had a passion for
astronomy, oceanography, and history.
Colton Hutchins, Structural Steel Inspector
| E-mail: chutchins@nge-tft.com |
I’ve been a part of
the Quality Control/Quality Assurance process for a decade. My specialty
is welding and steel, though I have many areas of expertise. I enjoy
building and repairing computers, as well as using computers to play games and
sketch buildings. I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and
Harry Potter. I love motorcycles and ATVs. One day I’d like to be
an instructor and teach inspections and welding.
Administrative
Sierra Gray, Office Administrator
Joy Gray, Chief Financial Officer | Director of Human Resources
I am Joy Gray, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human Resources. I came on board in 2010 after a short detour to the Pacific Northwest for three years. Currently, I serve on the board of directors for NGE-TFT, and I am corporate controller and oversee administration and accounting.
Although not a lifetime Alaskan, I consider Alaska my home and have been fortunate enough to spend over half my life here. I spent some of my formative years in rural Kansas. Later construction work took us to Alaska for a short period, then California where we adapted to city life. I never forgot those short years in Alaska and returned after graduation. Chugiak has been my home since my return to Alaska. I love the small town feel and enjoy being so close to our majestic mountains and lakes. When not at work, you can find me with my two children, our two Scottish terriers, and extended family, hiking in the mountains, paddle boarding on a nearby lake, rock climbing, fishing, or a variety of other outdoor activities. I'm actively involved in religious volunteer work and with my local congregation.
I enjoy my work and look forward to seeing our company continue to grow. My philosophy at work: efficiency and organization, yet have some fun. In life, be positive, find some joy each day, continue to learn and challenge yourself and others, and enjoy art, music, and the simple things.
