Leadership

Kumar Buvanendaran, PE

President and Chief Executive Officer

With a background in bridge design, and after spending time with several well-known engineering firms, Kumar focused his passion for engineering and solving client’s challenges by starting his own business. Guided by his leadership and passion for the industry, PRIME has seen substantial growth, top rankings in national industry publications, and accolades from clients and professional associations.

As President and CEO, Kumar prides himself on his hands-on management style and his ability to recruit top talent. He supports a work culture that centers on client satisfaction and employee retention and often spends time in each of the firm’s offices.

The greatest reward of my job is observing the talent, excitement, energy, and ideas of all my employees when I walk through the halls of the different offices. I really do take note of it all and am so proud of how far we have come.

Jay Jayanthan

Executive Chairman

Jay is the Executive Chairman and a co-founder of PRIME AE Group, Inc. He is a certified public accountant by profession and has been a founding member of several other successful companies in the United States.

Jay strongly believes in investing time and resources in people with demonstrated skills and talent. He has been involved in all major strategies related to PRIME’s growth. He currently oversees the finance, human resources, and administration of the company.

Every aspect of our services is designed and delivered to save the time and resources of our communities, so that they can enjoy life to the fullest in whatever they desire to do.

Ranjan Manoranjan, CPA

Principal

Ranjan was appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission in 2011 by Ohio Governor John Kasich as the CPA representative on the commission. Noted for his community and charitable contributions, Ranjan currently serves on the World of Children Board of Governors, an organization comprised of 16 international business executives who contribute their executive skills to improving the lives of children worldwide.

Ranjan has also served on the Executive Board of the Ohio Society of CPAs and currently serves on the Ohio Society’s Political Action Committee. The Ohio Board of Tax Appeals, Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority and Governmental Affairs Advisory Council are other organizations that have benefited from his active involvement.

Clients and potential clients appreciate what we do to make a difference in our community. In the cities where we have our offices, community leadership recognizes our impact.

Anton Rasiah, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Anton is a certified public accountant with decades of experience in accounting and finance, serving in a senior executive role. Anton is known for his international expertise having worked in Asia and Australia prior to becoming a CPA in the United States.

Anton has extensive managerial experience, including strategic planning in making profitable teams within organizations and managing finance and human resources departments. He has a knack for boosting profitability during strained economic times and is a master at championing enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations.

We care about what we do and the relationships we develop at work and with our clients.

Nitin Chamarahally

Chief Information Officer

Nitin has years of experience in leading the design, development, and implementation of high-performing scalable technology solutions. He is a technology and business visionary with a strong record of success in delivering strategic business initiatives, including new product launches and merger projects.

Nitin excels in building and managing high-performing innovation teams, leading the growth of the firm’s technology division.

Anything is possible for a company when its culture is about listening, learning, and harnessing individual passions and talents to the Company’s mission. Creating that kind of culture is my chief job as a CIO.

Jenna Silverstein

Executive Director of Corporate Affairs

Jenna works closely with PRIME’s leadership team to monitor the progress of the firm’s business lines and offices. She promotes and facilitates business development efforts.

Jenna manages contract wins, staff availability, and workload sustainability. She develops objectives for each business line that complement the company’s business plan, overall goal, and purpose.

With opportunity comes possibility, and I have seen the endless possibilities that make a positive impact at PRIME. In my job, I love that I get to integrate these possibilities into our corporate strategy!

Maria “Ree” Miskimon, CPSM

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Building relationships and creating value for PRIME is Ree’s expertise. Whether through strategic marketing with existing clients, new clients, and new market sectors, the launch of a new branch office, acquisition of a firm, or training staff to enhance their professional growth, Ree has achieved results.

Ree focuses on growing the firm’s business lines. Her high-level business development efforts support PRIME’s existing clients, as well as future growth plans for the company.

She provides training and gives talks to leadership on client relationship development and maintenance, business development, and marketing strategy.

From a father who was an engineer to a husband who is an architect, I have been immersed in this industry for decades. My passion for connecting with people, connecting people to people, and creating value for our clients and teaming partners is the driving force behind the marketing and business development work I do for PRIME. I feel lucky that I get to do the work I do and for a company I love.

Michael Burgess, PE

Senior Vice President, Midwest Infrastructure Services

Michael is responsible for overall project management, design, and business operations for the practice, with a special focus on transportation and water resources.

Michael has decades of successful design and management experience throughout the Midwest for water and wastewater treatment facilities, highways, and bridges. He has an in-depth understanding of business development, project operations, and execution of strategic growth for PRIME.

I’ve spent 35 years working at the largest engineering companies in the world, they are so inwardly focused on their business systems and risk management. Our focus at PRIME is 100 percent on our clients and their projects, ensuring outcomes that exceed their expectations.

Kerry Hogan, PE, BCEE

Senior Vice President, National Water/Wastewater

Leading PRIME’s water and wastewater business line, Kerry’s focus is on the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater projects for public sector and industrial clients.

Kerry’s experience includes building regional and national programs in the public and private sectors. He leds significant pursuits in planning, design, program management, engineering, procurement, and construction management for water, wastewater, and stormwater facility projects.

Over the last 31 years in the water industry, I have worked alongside some of the most technically talented people providing innovative solutions to our water clients. I take great pride in knowing that our engineering designs positively impact the communities we serve by providing such benefits as safe drinking water, clean wastewater, and exceptional stormwater management.

Dana Mitchell, RA, NCARB

Senior Vice President, Architecture and Engineering

Dana is responsible for the overall success of the firm’s architecture, interior design, roof and envelope consulting, and building engineering services. His expertise in planning and strategic growth is a key asset to PRIME as the firm continues to expand its service offerings and geographic reach.

Dana has decades of executive management and design experience. As an architect, he has served as the project principal, project manager, and project architect for diverse project types of varying complexity throughout the U.S.

In any business, especially architecture and engineering, customer satisfaction is critical. We all understand the consequences of one bad experience on a project. That is why when clients engage with my team, we will work very hard to understand our client’s needs and that we align the right resources and pay close attention to even the most minute details in the execution of their projects. We pride ourselves on connecting with our clients, delivering quality and responsive design, on schedule, and on budget.

Charles ‘Chas’ Schreckenberger, FAIA

Principal Architect

Chas has extensive experience working on complex project types with public, private, and non-profit clients, often involving multiple stakeholders. Chas’ strong leadership skills guide the process of design to assure that the scope, schedule, and budget are articulated in the project documents and that the documents and estimates are at an appropriate level of completion and accuracy at each stage of a project.

Chas’s experience is rounded out by his involvement in numerous professional organizations, and he was recently elevated to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) College of Fellows. He is listed as an approved Historic Preservation Consultant with the State of Ohio Preservation Office, and he actively serves on Boards for several religious and civic organizations in and around Akron, OH.

I have always considered the profession of architecture to be a “people” business that focuses on service to our Clients as much as quality of design. Success is relationship driven which comes from doing great work, but also from being engaged in the communities we serve. I consider it a privilege to be part of a profession that has a positive and direct impact on the lives of those that experience our work.

Robert ‘Rob’ Habel, AIA, NCARB

Principal Architect

Rob has designed and managed numerous project types with a specialty in higher education, public and recreation work. He is not dictated by a particular style, but rather is stylistically flexible in integrating the design into the context and the program. He always considers the client’ vision, programmatic requirements, appropriate aesthetics, and sustainability. Rob’s experience is rounded out by his involvement in numerous professional organizations and volunteer work in the community, notably Habit for Humanity.

My philosophy is that a building’s ‘signature’ be one that is representative of the Owner. It reflects what they do and what is important to them. The building becomes an extension of their interests and personality.

Daniel (Danny) Davis, PE

Senior Vice President, Virginia Transportation

Danny is responsible for overall project management, design, and business development for PRIME’s Virginia Transportation operations.

Danny has nearly three decades of successful design and management experience throughout Virginia and for 16 Departments of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. He has worked on major interchanges and bridge structures from design through construction including design-build projects.

Don Carlos, RA, NCARB, RRC

Principal Architect

Don’s expertise in architecture and construction includes facility assessment, project management, interior design, quality control, LEED® design, and roof consulting services. He has completed projects throughout the United States, Latin America, and Asia.

In addition to his architectural expertise, Don is one of fewer than 450 Registered Roof Consultants in the U.S. He provides roof and envelope design, assessment, testing, warranty review, and expert witness services. Don’s in-depth knowledge of wind loading, uplift issues, codes, and industry standards helps ensure successful project design and execution.

Our team is relatively unique in the roof and envelope field combining the overall practice of architecture with an intensive specialization and expertise in the study of moisture and thermal issues related to structures.

G. Larry Law, RA, NCARB, LEED AP®

Principal Architect

Larry’s expertise encompasses a full range of services including planning, programming, construction management, cost estimating, and value engineering. For many years, his primary focus has been on Department of Defense projects.

Larry has built strong relationships with clients and design partners. His professional philosophy is to design quality facilities that exceed the client’s goals while architecturally enhancing the community.

In any business, especially architecture and engineering, customer satisfaction is critical. We all understand the consequences of one bad experience on a project. That is why when clients engage with my team, we will work very hard to understand our client’s needs and that we align the right resources and pay close attention to even the most minute details in the execution of their projects. We pride ourselves on connecting with our clients, delivering quality and responsive design, on schedule, and on budget.

Suzanne Davis

Vice President, Federal Programs

Suzanne drives PRIME’s federal business development efforts. She has decades of experience in the planning and development of major projects within the facility, transportation, healthcare, higher education, and industrial markets.

Suzanne is dedicated to business development, strategic partnerships, and team building in the federal arena. She is successful in executing the project goals of federal agencies on a local and national basis.

The federal team at PRIME makes my job easy. They are dedicated and knowledgeable – true leaders in their field. I’m always proud to share what they do with our prospective clients and partners.

Joe Warino, PE

Associate Vice President, Construction Management

Joe is responsible for construction management, inspection, field quality control, and laboratory testing. His primary focus is business development and management of large, complex infrastructure projects, specializing in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Local Public Agency (LPA) major highway projects.

Joe was previously a Project Engineer for ODOT District 6 where he was the head engineer on several major highway construction projects. After ODOT District 6 Joe went on to the City of Columbus where he was the LPA and 3P (Public, Private, Partnership) project administrator for the City’s Department of Public Service. While at the City, Joe was also involved with the rewrite of the 2012 City of Columbus (OH) Construction and Material Specifications.

It is a pleasure to work with such a talented staff that possess the ability to take on any challenge presented to us by our clients. Everyone here really enjoys being part of the PRIME team, and it shows in the quality of work that we perform.

Kazem Farhoumand, PE

Vice President, New England Transportation

Kazem previously spent 28 years with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) where he was the Chief Engineer for nearly ten years. In this role, he oversaw the design, construction, and materials testing activities for all RIDOT projects totaling over $1.5 billion.

Kazem represented RIDOT on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Standing Committees on Highways, as well as Traffic Safety. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Rhode Island State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and served on the University of Rhode Island’s Civil Engineering Advisory Board. He is currently the Chairman of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program’s Project 20-102 involving the impacts of connected vehicles and automated vehicles on state and local transportation agencies.

I spent more than 28 years in the public sector and dealt with many engineering firms. The ones that were more successful than others were the ones that could identify the issues before hand and could come up with the appropriate solutions rather than asking the client to solve the problem for them. I’m proud to say, at PRIME, this is exactly what we do.

David Marchese, PE

Vice President, PA Transportation

David manages multi-disciplinary projects in bridge and highway design. His main responsibilities include business development, project delivery, quality management, project management, and technical oversight.

David’s technical expertise includes managing projects involving interstate reconstruction, interchange reconfiguration, alternative alignment studies, steel and concrete bridge design, curved steel bridge design, and seismic analysis.

Everyone at PRIME and every one of our clients uses and relies on the roadways, interchanges, and bridges that we design. It is immensely satisfying to be able to improve infrastructure that benefits virtually everyone.

David Metcalf, PE

Vice President, Virginia Transportation

David is experienced in all aspects of transportation engineering. He has technical expertise in traffic impact analysis, safety studies, traffic signals, traffic calming, corridor optimization, transportation planning, and alternatives analysis.

David has served in leadership positions for a wide-variety of professional organizations and has published papers and given presentations on relevant industry topics. He is also a retired U.S. Army Reserve Officer.

I am frequently asked, “will it work?” Yes, it will work. We may have to tighten our chinstraps, shake the bureaucracy, even get a little bloodied, but we will make this work.

Kurt Miller, PE

Vice President, Transportation, MD Highway/Traffic

Kurt has decades of progressive transportation experience in highway planning, design, and construction management. He has led several multi-million-dollar contracts for a wide-variety of clients.

Several of Kurt’s interchange and floodway management projects have received Outstanding Project Awards from organizations including the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Society of Civil Engineers, Maryland Quality Initiative, and the County Engineers Association of Maryland.

I often think my problem-solving ideas are good, but it’s only when those ideas are shared with my team and redeveloped into new approaches that they generate great project solutions.

Michael Rice, PE

Vice President, Transportation, MD Bridge

Mike has dedicated his entire career to the inspection, structural engineering, load rating, and rehabilitation of bridges. He has served as the Project Manager on dozens of bridge inspection, underwater inspection, and bridge rehabilitation contracts.

Mike has managed bridge inspections all over the United States, as well as in several foreign countries. He has inspected thousands of bridges for Department of Defense installations and various state government agencies.

I have been fascinated with bridges and dams since I was a little kid. Being able to inspect and repair bridges as a career to ensure public safety was a dream come true.

Eric Smith, PE, PTOE, MBA

Vice President, National Traffic Engineering, ITS

Eric is responsible for the growth of PRIME’s National Traffic Engineering and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Practice, as well as overall business development for transportation engineering. He began his career in the public sector working as a traffic engineer, and eventually moved to the private sector where he has guided clients in overall transportation project development issues.

Since joining the PRIME team of technical experts, I have rekindled my passion for engineering, client service, and the pursuit of transformational change to the communities we serve.

Todd Bergstrom, PE

Vice President, National Design-Build

With decades of experience in the design and management of bridge and highway projects, along with design-build project delivery, Todd leads PRIME’s National Design-Build Operations.

Todd recognizes and stresses the importance of schedule, innovative design, and mitigating costs while maximizing quality. Todd brings the sense of ownership and accountability essential to a successful design-build team.

I am proud to be a part of the design-build industry, especially here at PRIME. Our mission is simple, but powerful; we provide our contractor teammates with the same sense of ownership and accountability that they expect from their own employees. This focused vision provides contractors with a level of expertise second to none.

Stephen Carl, PE

Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Design-Build

Leading PRIME’s Design-Build Quality Control/Quality Assurance Program, Steve is a highly-experienced bridge engineer having managed many large-scale transportation engineering projects during his career.

Steve’s experience developing and managing QA/QC Programs for Design-Build Programs for contractors also includes bridge design and inspection work on major projects in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and for the Eastern Federal Lands, Federal Highway Administration throughout the Northeast Quadrant of the United States.

I never say no. I like the challenge of doing something new, and being able to show people that it CAN be done. PRIME gives me the freedom to do that, and I believe that is why the company has grown the way it has. I appreciate the ability to do the work I do.

Thomas Rybski, PS

Vice President, Survey

Leading PRIME’s Surveying practice, Tom is an experienced professional with expertise in the civil engineering and surveying professions. He has led projects with diverse disciplines, including the planning and design of roadways, sanitary lines, sewer lines, waterlines, commercial and residential developments, aerial mapping, control surveys, environmental studies, and permitting. Tom’s experience is rounded out by his involvement in numerous professional organizations and volunteer work in the community.

I value being a part of a multi-disciplined company that leverages every part of the organization to service our clients’ needs with personnel and resources to deliver dependable services on a diversity of projects.

William “Bill” Taylor, PE, PMP

Vice President, Northeast Area Manager, Water

Bill drives major water, wastewater, and heavy civil capital programs and projects from vision through strategy to implementation through his leadership of large integrated, multi-discipline teams of planning, design, and construction professionals. He is skilled at navigating complex public and private organizations and optimizing resources to achieve business line objectives for growth, profitability, and client satisfaction.

Our team doesn’t just deliver projects, we collaborate with our clients to find holistic solutions and balance community wants and needs against the financial challenges they face.

William “Bill” Taylor, PE, PMP

Vice President, Northeast Area Manager, Water

Bill drives major water, wastewater, and heavy civil capital programs and projects from vision through strategy to implementation through his leadership of large integrated, multi-discipline teams of planning, design, and construction professionals. He is skilled at navigating complex public and private organizations and optimizing resources to achieve business line objectives for growth, profitability, and client satisfaction.

Our team doesn’t just deliver projects, we collaborate with our clients to find holistic solutions and balance community wants and needs against the financial challenges they face.