Projects

Config Projects

With a reputation of being a firm willing to go the distance, it’s no surprise that Forell | Elsesser has worked on some of the most challenging and ground-breaking transportation projects in California. From seismic retrofits of long-span bridges to an international airport rapid transit station with the strictest of vibration and code regulations, we have a firm grasp on the intricacies that go into engineering a transportation structure that is seismically resistant, keeping travelers safe and sound.

Aviation + Transportation


<p>Chris Petteys serves as the fourth CEO in &nbsp;Forell | Elsesser’s six decades but drives the firm in collaboration with the rest of the executive management team. With a collective focus on building upon the firm’s strong reputation for technical leadership in seismic design, growing talent from within, and creating new opportunities and career paths for staff; Chris leads a firm rooted in engineering fundamentals, client service, performance-based design, and sustainable/resilient structures. From his experience leading large, complex structural projects, Chris has proven the effectiveness of his hands-on management style and enjoys interaction with clients and partners.</p>



<p>In his twenty years practicing as a structural engineer, Chris has navigated complex issues with a level head and taken unexpected approaches to successfully solving problems. He has a broad knowledge of all major construction materials for commercial, multi-family housing, and institutional structures; and is recognized for his efficient buildings and constructability of his designs for unique structures in high seismic regions. His more notable projects include the UC Berkeley California Memorial Stadium seismic upgrade and LinkedIn Middlefield Campus. Chris has both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from UCLA.</p>



<p>When Chris is not working through creative solutions or managing the firm, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) Seismology Committee, Former Chair</li>
</ul>


President and CEO

Christopher Petteys


<p>Mei is a California licensed Structural Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the UK, Norway, Hong Kong, and throughout the US. Her international understanding of structural design enables her to approach engineering challenges from different perspectives to discover the optimal customized solution.</p>



<p>Mei has extensive experience with hospitality, casino, commercial, cultural facilities, and transportation projects. Since joining Forell | Elsesser, Mei has been involved in the SFMTA Central Subway Chinatown and Union Square Stations. Mei received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Cornell University.</p>



<p>When she’s not working on San Francisco infrastructure, she enjoys pursuing her interests in photography, scuba diving, and backpacking.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Member</li>



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Member</li>
</ul>


Senior Associate

Mei Kuen Liu


<p>As a Senior Engineer at Forell | Elsesser, Arthur leverages his skills in structural design and analysis to improve the reliability of our built environment. He has contributed to a diverse set of public and private projects in both seismically active and hurricane-prone areas. Arthur is passionate about learning and applying advanced analysis techniques to accurately capture structural response in extreme events.</p>



<p>Arthur has led several international multidisciplinary teams in design competitions and enjoys collaborating with architects to bring their visions to reality. His interest in computational analysis methods and earthquake engineering dates back to his undergraduate studies when he served as the captain of the Rice University Seismic Design Team and researched on the seismic risk evaluation of nuclear waste storage casks. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his Master’s degree from Stanford University.</p>



<p>Outside of work, Arthur enjoys experimenting with new recipes, going on road trips, and making tea with friends.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Senior Engineer II

Arthur Cao

San Francisco, California

Kilroy, Oyster Point, Parking Structure


<p>Lindsey is a California licensed Structural Engineer and Principal with Forell | Elsesser. She joined the firm in 2006. Her strength is in working collaboratively with clients to provide practical engineering solutions for their architectural visions while incorporating sustainable elements into the design.</p>



<p>Lindsey has worked on a variety of retrofit and new construction projects including multi-family housing, laboratories, and athletic facilities. She has exceptional knowledge and passion on the subject of sustainable design and has lectured and presented on the subject nationally. She serves as an advocate for green building practices and has written numerous reports and papers about the structural engineer’s role in sustainable design. Lindsey received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from UC Berkeley where she is currently serving as a member of the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Advisory Board.</p>



<p>When Lindsey is not working, Lindsey enjoys running competitively for the Olympic Club and cross-country skiing around Lake Tahoe.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>UC Berkeley Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Advisory Committee</li>



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Housner Fellow &amp; 2016 Convention Chair</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California’s (SEAONC) Board Member</li>



<li></li>



<li>Structural Engineering Institute’s (SEI) Member</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Awards</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>2013 SEAONC Zacher Award Recipient</li>



<li>2012 EERI Housner Fellows Program</li>
</ul>


Principal

Lindsey Maclise


<p>As an Engineer at &nbsp;Forell | Elsesser, Michaella works on a variety of projects ranging from the design of new buildings to seismic evaluation and retrofit. With a strong background in both structural and geotechnical studies, Michaella brings a unique and comprehensive approach to her work. She enjoys working with the team at &nbsp;Forell | Elsesser to broaden her knowledge base and gain first-hand experience working on innovative and technically challenging projects.</p>



<p>Michaella received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley. During her time at the University of Michigan, Michaella was an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, specifically working on outreach programs to introduce middle and high school students to the various disciplines of engineering. This sparked her passion for sharing her love of structural engineering with others and helping young girls gain accessibility to science and math-based fields.</p>



<p>Outside of the office, Michaella enjoys exploring the Bay Area and the many National Parks California has to offer. She enjoys hiking, camping, and hammocking in the trees with a good book.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Engineer

Michaella DeRubeis

BioMed Realty, Emery Yards, Parking Structure, Building 14

Transbay Terminal Peer Review

San Francisco International Airport Firestation 2


<p>As Director of Business Strategy, Allen Nudel is a Principal and a member of Forell | Elsesser’s executive leadership team. Allen is a licensed Structural Engineer and has been with the firm since 2000. In addition to project work, Allen’s role includes overseeing the firm’s business development activities, new market sectors, new clients, and geographic expansion. With over 25 years of experience, Allen’s greatest strengths are a love of teaching and facilitating understanding between engineers, architects, and contractors. Constantly striving for mutual understanding makes him an excellent communicator and effective engineer.</p>



<p>Allen’s dedication and expertise throughout all phases of design and construction leads to successful, on budget project deliveries that achieve programmatic and design goals. He excels in client relations, drawing coordination, specifications and construction administration. He has a particular interest in collaborating with architects to maintain exposed structure of buildings. His wide range of experience includes education, institutional, commercial/corporate, athletic facilities, performing arts, multi-family housing, and tenant improvement projects. Allen is&nbsp;a licensed Structural Engineer in California, Arizona, and Colorado. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley.</p>



<p>When Allen is not busy at work, he enjoys completing home renovation projects, spending time with his wife and two young daughters, and following pro baseball.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Former Co-Chair and member, Sustainable Design Committee</li>



<li>City of Hope Real Estate and Construction Council, Northern California</li>



<li>Berkeley Unified School District Construction Advisory and Bond Oversight Committee</li>



<li>San Francisco Planning &amp; Urban Research&nbsp;Association (SPUR)</li>
</ul>


Director of Business Strategy

Allen Nudel

Sacramento Airport, International Terminal Renovations

Confidential Precast Parking Structure


<p>Marco began his career with Forell | Elsesser in 1992. He excels at recognizing and proactively resolving project and design challenges, sophisticated analysis of complex structures, and translating these analyses into practical design solutions. He has a keen appreciation for the IPD process and BIM. Marco strives to integrate these industry advances into all of his projects.</p>



<p>Marco&nbsp;has also restored and upgraded some of the oldest and most iconic buildings in San Francisco including Old St. Mary’s Church in Chinatown and Saints Peter &amp; Paul Church in North Beach. Additionally, his broad work experience includes major transportation and institutional projects. Marco is a licensed Structural Engineer in California and Washington. He has a Bachelor’s degree from MIT and a Master’s degree from Stanford University.</p>



<p>Growing up a few blocks from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, Marco has had a lifelong fascination with architecture and structures.  He brings this passion for the built environment to all of his work at Forell | Elsesser.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>



<li>American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)</li>
</ul>


Senior Project Manager

Marco Scanu

Caltrans Traffic Operations/CHP Communications Center

Caltrans Department of Transportation (DOT) District 3 Headquarters

UCLA Ambulatory Care Complex East & West Parking Structures

UC Berkeley Richard Newton Pedestrian Bridge

UC Berkeley La Loma-Foothill Pedestrian Bridge


<p>With the firm since 1984, Mason is a Senior Principal at Forell | Elsesser. One of Mason’s most effective roles at the firm is orchestrating teams of engineers to leverage their varied areas of expertise, and quickly develop solutions to even the most complex problems. He constantly explores solution concepts and ideas that are outside the norm, leading to unexpectedly elegant and efficient solutions–a practice he encourages with those he mentors. Mason has also had success in crossing lines between engineering disciplines and construction processes to improve existing structural engineering methods to the benefit of F/E’s clients.</p>



<p>As a well-known industry leader, Mason is a resource for in-house staff and colleagues. His engineering expertise includes such diverse areas as sustainable concrete mix design, seismic isolation of new and historic buildings, long-span bridge design, and performance-based seismic design of steel structures. He excels at the analysis, testing, and design for unusual projects that fall outside the scope of traditional building codes. In the early 1990’s, he developed specifications and testing requirements that were used for the U.S. Court of Appeals seismic retrofit in San Francisco, the first federally funded seismic isolation project.&nbsp;Mason is&nbsp;a licensed Structural Engineer in California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and licensed Professional Engineer in D.C. Mason earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Engineering degree in Structural Engineering and Structural Mechanics from UC Berkeley.</p>



<p>Mason’s recreational interests include hiking, fly fishing, cinema, metalworking, and carpentry.  He sometimes integrates the latter two interests into his structural engineering practice by building physical models of structures and structural hardware to quickly enhance the clients’ and colleagues’ grasp of complex structural concepts.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>University of California Office of the President Seismic Advisory Board (Charter Member, Chair 2017-2022)</li>



<li>Caltrans Seismic Advisory Board</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC), Solar Photovoltaic Systems Seismic Committee, Voting Member</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Director (2003-2005); Convention Technical Committee, Former Co-Chair;&nbsp;Program Committee, Former Chair; Subcommittee on Protective Systems;&nbsp;Subcommittee on Non-Building Structures</li>



<li>American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)</li>



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)</li>



<li>International Association for Bridge &amp; Structural Engineering (IABSE)</li>
</ul>


Senior Principal

Mason Walters

How do you design an essential facility that is elevated over 5 lanes of traffic?

San Francisco International Airport Concourse H BART Station

San Francisco International Airport

West Cargo Facility

Emeryville, California


<p>Paul Rodler has been with the firm since 1986 and is a Senior Principal and past COO of Forell | Elsesser. His straightforward approach to design is directly linked to his keen awareness of issues surrounding the constructability of buildings. He focuses on ease and economy of construction while creating buildable structural solutions for his clients.</p>



<p>As COO, Paul developed the company’s information technology systems to support Forell | Elsesser’s advanced BIM capabilities, and continues to help advance the firm to the leading edge of technical advancements within the industry. He also advocates for Integrated Project Delivery techniques to enable the efficiency and fast pace of design-build projects. Through his embrace of advancements in project design and delivery methods, Paul has made valued contributions to the success of numerous civic, education, healthcare, and data center projects. Paul is a licensed structural engineer in California and Missouri. He has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Stanford University.</p>



<p>Paul can be found enjoying his passion for open-wheel car racing when he is not busy finding solutions to engineering challenges.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Paul Rodler

How do you provide an efficient parking solution in a vibrant dense commercial neighborhood?

Wareham Development, Parking Structure

How to do help make a critical transportation link safer in an earthquake?

San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge Seismic Retrofit

How do you mine the deepest building excavation ever in San Francisco while working in a highly congested area?

SFMTA, Central Subway Chinatown – Rose Pak Station


<p>Simin Naaseh is a Senior Principal, and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Forell | Elsesser. She previously served as the firm’s CEO until August 2020. Simin is a recognized leader in the A/E/C industry and has devoted much time serving in leadership positions in many professional organizations. She thrives on building strong relationships with clients and colleagues and applies this strength internally to foster a collaborative working environment. She enjoys design-build projects and is a Designated Design-Build Professional (DBIA). Simin has an interest in large-scale and complex projects particularly because of their intrinsically collaborative nature. With a history of managing both large and small projects since 1983, Simin also recognizes that the key to a project’s success is working closely with clients to create a customized solution to suit each client’s goals, whether that means attention to seismic performance, cost-effectiveness, or a fast schedule.</p>



<p>Under her leadership as former CEO and president, Simin deepened the firm’s traditions of technical excellence and exceptional service and reinvigorated its long-standing tradition of investing in research and development. Simin’s special interest in advancing the firm as one of the most innovative structural engineering firms in the nation is shared by the new generation of firm leaders who continue to advance this goal. Simin is invested in mentoring the firm’s young staff, with an emphasis on supporting women and minorities to develop as leaders in the firm. Simin received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Azar Abadegan in Tabriz, Iran, and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor.</p>



<p>When she is not busy with contributing to Forell | Elsesser’s success, Simin can be found hiking, cooking with her family, or indulging in her passion for music.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Fellow, Past-President</li>



<li>Design-Build Institute of America, Western Pacific Region (DBIA WPR), Board Member</li>



<li>OSHPD Hospital Building Safety Board Member (HBSB), Former Member 2008-2016</li>



<li>American Institute of Architects, San Francisco&nbsp;(AIASF), Former Public Board Member</li>



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Member</li>



<li>San Francisco Planning + Urban Research (SPUR), Member</li>



<li>California Preservation Foundation (CPF), Past Trustee</li>
</ul>


Simin Naaseh

How do you provide airport parking for 5000 cars while maintaining FAA height restrictions?

San Francisco International Airport Rental Car Parking Garage

How do you provide parking for a new airport international terminal on a landfill site with strict cost restraints?

San Francisco International Airport North & South Public Parking Garages