Who We Are

UNDERGROUND INTELLIGENCE

Though our work is often buried, the results always show where it matters most: on the upside of your investment. As soil and rock experts who solve geotechnical puzzles with ingenuity and technical rigor, we study the options, help you assess risk, imagine the possibilities and do the math. Above all, we never forget that lives and livelihoods depend on the ground beneath your project.

We believe that exceptional client service drives successful projects and builds powerful relationships. To that end, talented people, collaboration, open communication, and responsiveness are key components of our process. Our goal is to add value and be a trusted member and extension of your team.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

Founded by Senior Principals, Ted von Rosenvinge and Ulrich LaFosse, since 1995, GEODesign has grown to become a prominent geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting and construction engineering firm.

With a staff of thirty, including ten registered professional engineers, we have consulted on thousands of projects from coast to coast. We would welcome the opportunity to make the earth work for your next project.

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Ted von Rosenvinge SENIOR PRINCIPAL	Thomas Thomann SENIOR PRINCIPAL	Ulrich Lafosse CO-FOUNDER EMERITUS
Sandra L. Trudeau CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER	Jonathan Ciampi PRINCIPAL	Paul Woodell, Jr. ASSOCIATE
Dan Howey ASSOCIATE	Jacob Wimett ASSOCIATE

Theodore von Rosenvinge IV, PE, DGE

Senior Principal

ted.von@geocompanies.com

As a founding Principal, Ted leads and promotes a culture of quality that is based on teamwork, client service, critical thinking, technical excellence, pragmatism and professionalism. Prior to earning his advanced degrees, Ted began his career as a union construction worker in Boston. Since then he has served in roles from Field Engineer to Principal-in-Charge of hundreds of projects involving foundation engineering for high-rise buildings, major bridges, rail facilities, marine projects, earthwork/underground construction and soil mechanics. His expertise also includes serving as a forensic/expert witness, providing field and lab testing, and implementing geotechnical instrumentation.

An American Society of Civil Engineers Fellow since 1998, Ted brings enthusiasm and passion to all aspects of the field. Whether brainstorming with clients, mentoring younger members of the firm, serving as a guest lecturer on a hot button topic, or receiving accolades for an award-winning project, Ted is inspired and motivated by the work and long-term relationships he has developed as the firm's lead underground intelligence officer.

Above ground: When the opportunity arises, Ted can be found sailing. He has crewed on and completed 10 Newport to Bermuda sail races (635 miles). A guitarist, guitar collector and songwriter, he also enjoys playing rock'n'roll nearly as much as engineering rock'n'soil.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Geotechnical Engineering
Constructibility Review
Foundation Engineering
Soil and Rock Mechanics
Deep Foundations/Excavations

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

University of Connecticut
Master of Business Administration

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Master of Science, Civil Engineering (geotechnical specialization)

Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer:
NY, NJ, CT, MA, ME, VT

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Civil Engineers, Fellow, since 1998
Academy of Geo-Professionals – Diplomat Geotechnical Engineer, 2009
American Council of Engineering Companies, NY Metropolitan Region, Structure Codes Committee, 2010 – present
American Society of Civil Engineers, CT Chapter President, 1991/1992
American Council of Engineering Companies, CT Chapter, President 1999/2000, Board Member 1996-2009, 2016 – present
American Council of Engineering Companies, National Director and Alternate National Director, 2001-2009
Department of Civil Engineering, UMass Amherst, Industry Advisory Board, 2005-2015
Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
International Conference of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Accredited Professional

Thomas Thomann, PhD, PE

Senior Principal, CEO

tthomann@geocompanies.com

With a doctorate in geotechnical engineering and experience that spans hundreds of successful projects including many high-rise and major buildings, Thomas is intimately involved in the technical oversight and management of the firm’s work. His solutions are client-focused and blend pragmatism, value and constructibility, an approach that has yielded strong client relationships and many repeat clients.

Thomas’s wide range of expertise includes the design of driven and drilled pile systems, support of excavation (SOE), underpinning, earthquake engineering, rock engineering, ground improvement, slope stability and instrumentation. He is actively engaged with the geotechnical community through various organizations and has shared his expertise with his peers through white papers and presentations.

Above ground: Outside of the field and office, Thomas enjoys travel, camping, fishing, gardening and teaching CCD.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Geotechnical Engineering
Earthquake Engineering
Support of Excavation
Deep Foundations
Rock Engineering

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

University of Michigan
Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering
Master of Science, Geotechnical Engineering

Manhattan College
Bachelor of Science, Geotechnical Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer
NY, NJ, MD

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Civil Engineers
Deep Foundations Institute
International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineers

Ulrich La Fosse, PE

Co-founder Emeritus, Consultant

A recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Connecticut Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Ulrich has published articles, taught university-level classes, delivered presentations and received several awards based on his role in innovative geotechnical design over the decades. His enthusiasm for his work has left a lasting imprint on the younger generation of engineers coming up through the firm.

(Far) Above ground: In addition to enjoying the arts, international travel, the natural world and the outdoors, Ulrich is an avid fan of music—from classical to jazz to indie-rock. He also holds his private pilot’s license, enjoys flying and building planes as well as restoring vintage wooden boats.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Geotechnical Engineering
Deep Foundations
Hydrogeology Studies
Ground Modification
Dam Engineering
Blasting Design and Evaluations
Environmental Site Restoration
Seismic Engineering

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

University of Connecticut
Master of Science, Civil Engineering (geotechnical specialization)
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (structural specialization)

Registered Professional Engineer
CT, MA, NY, VT

Sandra L. Trudeau, MBA

Chief Operations Officer

strudeau@geocompanies.com

With a wealth of business management experience and acumen, Sandra is responsible for the overall direction of the firm's financial, human resources and IT operations. Passionate about her work, she enjoys the varied aspects of her role and serves as the go-to person for assisting employees with business-related questions and getting them pointed in the right direction. Sandra has been instrumental in implementing policies and processes that have created efficiencies, streamlined operations and set the stage for the company’s continued strategic growth and development.

As an MBA with a focus on Business Management, Sandra is also an adjunct professor at Post University where she teaches accounting and QuickBooks courses to undergraduate students. She also formerly served as a Board Member for the Post University Accounting Advisory Board. Her previous experience of having served on the management team of a hockey franchise prepared her well for the fast pace of engineering firm management.

Above Ground: When not focused on business management, Sandra enjoys being physically active and can be found hiking in the woods, playing golf and racking up countless miles on her Peloton bike. Other lifelong passions include floral design, cooking and getting lost in good books.

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

University of New Haven
Master of Business Administration, Business Management

Western Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Society for Human Resource Managers

Jonathan Ciampi, PE

Principal, CFO

jciampi@geocompanies.com

Proudly described by his peers as a “Contractors' Engineer,” Jonathan’s building experience and engineering skills have given him the rare ability to effectively understand both how to design and construct for real world applications. Innovative, cost-effective and constructible best describe his solutions. Jonathan’s wide range of geotechnical and geostructural engineering experience include the design and construction oversight of building foundations, support of excavation and underpinning systems, and rock and soil slope stabilization projects in the NYC metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest.

Jonathan is currently leading our GEOMechanics office, located just outside of Portland.

Above ground: When not assisting with running the well-oiled GEO machine, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family, working on home improvement projects and gardening.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Geotechnical Engineering
Support of Excavation
Underpinning
Deep Foundations
Rock Engineering

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

Manhattan College
Master of Science, Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering Concentration)
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer
NY, NJ, PA, OR, WA, ID, MT, NV, WY, CO

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Civil Engineers
Deep Foundations Institute

PAUL WOODELL, JR, LEP, PG

Associate

pwoodell@geocompanies.com

As a kid growing up Paul had a love for the natural sciences and cave exploration. When he realized that the knowledge of hydrogeology could help him find new caves, he was hooked on a career path. Now with over 19 years of experience as an environmental consultant and hydrogeologist, his expertise includes environmental site assessment, subsurface investigation and remedial design for numerous clients including private owners, real-estate developers, contractors, manufacturers, insurance providers and municipalities.

As many projects throughout New York State, metropolitan New York and Connecticut have been subject to various regulatory programs—including the NYC Volunteer Cleanup and E-Designation Programs, New York State Spills, Hazardous Waste, Brownfields and Connecticut Transfer Act, and Significant Environmental Hazard Programs—Paul has become an expert at navigating the local, state and federal regulatory pathways, a different kind of cave exploration in and of itself. Serving as a liaison between clients and regulatory agencies offers great benefit to our clients, helping them to achieve their goals and protect their best interests.

Above ground: When not spelunking, Paul enjoys time with his boys, amateur astronomy, vintage motorcycles, machining technology and restoring wooden boats.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Underground storage tank removals/remediation
Petroleum bulk storage/releases
Solid waste and soils management
Chlorinated solvents/dry cleaners
Commercial/residential property transaction due diligence
Karst hydrogeology

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

State University of New York
Master of Arts, Earth Science

Union College
Bachelor of Science, Physics

Connecticut Licensed Environmental Professional (#617)
New York State Professional Geologist (#340)
OSHA 40-Hour Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Environmental Professionals of Connecticut
Connecticut Environmental Forum
New York State Council of Professional Geologists
National Speleological Society
Northeast Cave Conservancy, former Trustee
John J. McCarthy Observatory

DAN HOWEY, P.E.

Associate

dhowey@geocompanies.com

Dan’s early interest and experience in construction as a teenager started him on the path toward a career in geotechnical engineering. Dan started his career with GEODesign in 2004 and has steadily progressed from a field engineer to project manager and co-leader of the Vermont offices. Dan strives to deliver client’s practical and constructible solutions based in sound engineering analysis and judgement with a focus on clear communication. Dan most enjoys working with others toward a common goal and developing creative solutions that add value and make a difference for the client.

Dan’s technical experience includes the design of shallow and deep foundations, support of excavation (SOE), retaining walls, seismic design including liquefaction evaluation, and slope stability / riverbank stabilization. Dan’s experience includes private development and also public transportation projects including highway bridges. Dan is skilled in developing and overseeing subsurface exploration and laboratory testing programs, performing technical analyses and overseeing field testing and monitoring during construction.

Above ground: In his free time, Dan enjoys spending time with family, hunting, fishing and watching sports.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Geotechnical Engineering
Deep and Shallow Foundations
Slope Stability
Retaining Walls
Support of Excavation

EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Master of Science, Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering Concentration)
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer
VT, NH, MA

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Civil Engineers

JACOB WIMETT, P.E.

Associate

jwimett@geocompanies.com

After meeting a GEODesign principal at an informal backyard barbeque in the fall of 2004 and becoming intrigued by the possibility of a diverse career that extended beyond the computer screen, Jake joined GEODesign at the start of 2005 as a field and lab engineer. Since then, Jake has worked his way up to a project management and technical leadership role responsible for numerous projects across the northeast with a focus on Vermont and northern New England. As one of the co-leaders of GEODesign’s Vermont offices, Jake prides himself in forming close relationships with clients and colleagues, and believes that open and honest communication is the cornerstone of a successful project.

Jake’s technical experience includes the design of shallow and deep foundations with a particular focus on sites with soft, compressible clay soils, ground improvement, slope stability and stabilization, dam rehabilitation and maintenance oversight, laboratory testing, and geotechnical instrumentation.

Above ground: In the winter Jake’s free-time is primarily spent at the mountain snowboarding with his wife and two children. When the snow is gone his interests are typically focused on hunting, fishing, assisting with local baseball programs and obsessing over the Red Sox.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION