Leadership Promotions
“Please join us in congratulating several of our executives on their promotions. We also want to thank you — our clients and industry partners — for giving them the opportunity to support your business and grow their careers.” – David T. Gockel, President/CEO
MANAGING Principal
Richard Burrow, PE, LEED AP, Managing Principal
Parsippany, NJ
Richard Burrow leads Langan’s premier warehouse/distribution and e-commerce fulfillment center development practice, which has grown to nationwide coverage. Richard’s team provides a multi-discipline technical approach that consistently brings measurable value to clients in a market that moves at internet speed. Many of his projects have received recognition from industry associations such as NAIOP, the Urban Land Institute, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. As a Managing Principal, Richard joined Langan’s Executive Committee in January 2020, and is also responsible for the firm’s growing Denver office.
SENIOR Principals
Lori Simpson, PE, GE, Senior Principal
Oakland, CA
Lori Simpson is a leader of Langan’s highly respected geotechnical practice in Northern California. Lori is the go-to expert on subsurface issues in Mission Bay, a redevelopment site for which she has provided geotechnical services since 1991. The massive redevelopment has included the Exchange, Uber HQ, UCSF research, housing, and recreation facilities, many market-rate and affordable residential developments, and Chase Center. Lori has served on Langan’s Executive Committee since 2018. She is a Trustee with the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) and a member of its Codes and Standards Technical Committee and Women in Deep Foundations Committee.
Ryan Linthicum, PE, LEED AP, Senior Principal
Arlington, VA
Ryan Linthicum started Langan’s Washington DC operations in 2008 at the height of the great recession. Despite such an economic obstacle, he has expanded his full-service team to more than 50 professionals supporting projects throughout the region, including the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts REACH Expansion and multiple higher education projects at American, Catholic, and Howard Universities. Additionally, Ryan’s team has become a trusted consultant with the US State Department Bureau of Overseas Building Operations supporting embassy and consulate projects around the world. In January 2020, he joined Langan’s Executive Committee.
Principals
Jamie Barr, LEP, Principal
New Haven, CT
In 2008, Jamie Barr transferred from Langan’s New York City office to lead the environmental practice in New Haven. Jamie’s success has been remarkable, growing a highly proactive team that provides critical environmental expertise for clients in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and around the country. He has led project teams for FedEx Ground, Unilever, Ryder, and the University of Connecticut. He also plays a key role in shaping environmental regulation reform in Connecticut through his work with the State Legislature and regulatory community. Jamie recently completed a six year term on the board of the New Haven Manufacturers Association. He currently holds board seats at Quinnipiac’s Engineering Department, UCONN’s Civil Engineering Department, CT Brownfield Initiative, and Neurodiversity in Learning.
Christian Roche, PE, LEED AP, Principal
Lawrenceville, NJ
Chris Roche leads a highly successful land development engineering practice in the firm’s Lawrenceville office. His team supports numerous significant clients in New Jersey, such as RWJ Barnabas, Rutgers University, Black Creek Group, MRP Industrial, and Devco, one of the most respected development companies in the state. Chris was named one of ENR New York’s Top Young Professionals in 2018, Top 40 Under 40 by NJBIZ in 2015, a Rising Star in Civil Engineering by CE News in 2014, and ACEC Young Professional of the Year in 2014.
Saul Shapiro, PE, Principal
New York, NY
As a leader of Langan’s geotechnical department in the New York City office, Saul Shapiro has worked on many construction projects redefining the Big Apple skyline. He specializes in the redevelopment of challenging urban sites, many of which are located above rail and vehicular tunnels in environmentally sensitive areas. Throughout his career, he has managed multidisciplinary teams for projects including Hudson Yards, New York University Langone Medical Center, United Nations Headquarters, Jacob Javits Convention Center, and Moynihan Station.
Satyajit “Seth” Vaidya, PE, Principal
Parsippany, NJ
Seth Vaidya’s expertise on foundation design and construction for high-rise buildings in New York City has brought great value to several of our high-end clients. Seth has led teams on significant, challenging projects such as the Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the hemisphere, One Manhattan Square, and 2505 Bruckner Boulevard, slated to be one of the first few multi-story industrial warehouse buildings in the New York City market. Seth has also served clients in his home country India by providing geotechnical peer review services for key high-rise projects. In 2019, he was awarded the President’s Award at the Deep Foundations Institute’s (DFI) 43rd Annual Conference. Seth serves as the co-chair of the DFI India Support Committee, and provides review and technical support for the first ever Continuous Flight Auger Technology Implementation Program in the country.
Senior Associates
Scott Hillman, General Counsel
Parsippany, NJ
In 2017, Scott Hillman became the first in-house counsel in Langan’s 50-year history. Since then Scott has led the firm’s legal department, managing a broad range of legal, risk, contracting, and compliance matters. A civil engineer himself, he has 20 years of legal experience.
Michael Nilson, PE, MBA, LEED AP, Senior Associate
New York, NY
Not many people know more about the Javits Center than Mike Nilson. An integral member of Langan’s site/civil engineering team in the New York City office, since 2005. Mike has been the primary point-of-contact during the ongoing renovations and upgrades at the city’s largest exposition center. Additionally, he leads teams that have supported major clients on complex projects in residential, institutional, retail, and commercial sectors, including One Vanderbilt, a 1,401-foot-tall commercial tower covering an entire city block.
Keith Ottes, PE, PP, CFM, Senior Associate
Doylestown, PA
Keith is a leader in Langan’s land development practice in eastern Pennsylvania. He has led project teams for major e-commerce fulfillment centers, retail, residential, and commercial development projects throughout the state, including the development of the 1.1-million-square-foot Chrin Commerce Center spanning over 800 acres in the Lehigh Valley. Keith’s practice also includes projects in New Jersey and Delaware.
Timothy Ward, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate
New York, NY
After Langan opened an office in London three years ago, Tim Ward jumped at the chance to be the firm’s liaison between UK and US operations. A UK native who moved to New York 17 years ago, Tim is leveraging Langan’s experience in the states along with his knowledge of both countries to grow the firm’s UK and international business. He has led site/civil engineering on many high-profile projects at the United Nations, Rockefeller University, Greenpoint Landing, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and currently he’s leading Langan’s support of Nine Elms Square in London. He is also a past President of ASCE Metropolitan Section (NYC).
Shekhar Yadavalli, Chief Financial Officer
Parsippany, NJ
In January 2020, Shekhar Yadavalli was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Langan. Shekhar is primarily responsible for overseeing Langan’s financial operations. He has over 20 years of global experience in multiple business verticals including engineering and construction, technology, oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing and management consulting.
Associates
Elena Ayers, PE, GE, Associate
Oakland, CA
Elena Ayers is at the forefront of the next generation of geotechnical experts among Langan’s Bay Area offices. Elena’s experience covers all types of real estate development: commercial, retail, high-rise, hospitals, warehouses, and parking garages. She also specializes in seismic retrofits, roadway and utilities support, brownfield and landfill redevelopments, and landslide stabilizations projects throughout Northern California. She is an active member of CREW, ASCE, and SFGI as well as a leader with Women@Langan.

John Coutinho, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Associate
Parsippany, NJ
John Coutinho leads engineering and environmental teams that support Langan’s warehouse/distribution and e-commerce fulfillment center practice in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He has 15 years of experience and is respected for his technical acumen in site planning, stormwater management, utility infrastructure design, and construction administration. His key projects include Rockefeller Group Logistics Center, Piscataway, NJ; Matrix Global Logistics Park, Staten Island NY; and 2505 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY. Many of John’s projects have received recognition from industry associations such as NAIOP, the Urban Land Institute, and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
Christopher Glenn, PE, LEED GA, ENV SP, Associate
Oakland, CA
Chris Glenn has 20 years of experience solving environmental challenges that arise on brownfield, closed landfill, former military, and dry cleaner impacted sites on behalf of our clients in the Bay Area and beyond. Chris also serves as Sustainability Director for Langan, and his leadership led to the firm winning the prestigious 2019 Acterra Award for Sustainability, which recognized Langan for being a role model for sustainability in the A/E/C industry and local community.

Andy Ives, LS, Associate
New Haven, CT
Langan’s survey practice in Connecticut continues to exceed client expectations, which is not surprising since it’s led by Andy Ives. Langan’s New Haven, White Plains, and new Boston office benefit greatly from Andy’s ability to mobilize his survey teams in the field to capture and communicate critical and accurate site data. What projects has his team helped with in southern New England? Almost all of them.
Joseph Yannucci, PE, LEED AP, Associate
Parsippany, NJ
With nearly 20 years of experience in civil engineering, Joe Yannucci has helped Langan clients in a broad range of market sectors, including retail, office, residential, hospitality, and healthcare. Joe’s impressive practice ranges from Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey to massive mixed-use projects in Central Florida, and to master-planned resorts in Central and South America.