Welcome to SAECO
SAECO is a multi-service geotechnical and environmental engineering firm serving the southwestern United States. Our clients include municipalities, developers, energy companies, contractors, mining companies, civil engineers, architects, homebuilders, and more. Please scroll below for more information on our staff and browse our projects on the projects page. We appreciate any opportunity to serve your development or construction project.
MICHAEL S. ANNALA, R.G.
PRINCIPAL
Michael S. Annala is a Principal and the President of Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO).
MICHAEL S. ANNALA, R.G.
PRINCIPAL
Michael S. Annala is a Principal and the President of Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO). Mr. Annala is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and has over 16 years of combined experience in the Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Engineering, and construction industry. He co-founded SAECO with Michael E. Smith in 2011. SAECO provides Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Engineering related services on projects across the Southwestern U.S.
Mr. Annala's role at SAECO involves client development, engineering oversight, employee development and strategic planning for the firm. He is also serving as the Project Manager on various Construction Management, Construction Inspection & Testing, and Geotechnical Engineering projects at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS). Mr. Annala has become a leading technical expert in the areas of large diameter pipe construction and repair, Geosynthetics, High-Density Polyethlyene (HDPE) materials, and soil cement construction quality control and quality assurance.
During the past 10 years Mr. Annala has served as the Laboratory Service Director, Senior Project Manager, and Client Service Director for Arizona Public Service Company (APS) for the Phoenix Office of Terracon Consultants, Inc. During these roles, Mr. Annala has directly managed more than $15M in engineering services with typical laboratory/project staff sizes ranging from 10 to 25 people. As Senior Project Manager, Mr. Annala was responsible for all of the financial, engineering, and staffing aspects of a technically diverse group of engineers, geologist, scientists, technicians, inspectors, and administrative staff.
In 2009, Mr. Annala was recognized as a Senior Associate of Terracon, a position that only 200 out of 2,500 employees had attained. Terracon selected Mr. Annala to receive a special client development award for his work with developing APS into the largest client in the Southwest and one of the largest for Terracon nationally.
Mr. Annala has advanced the importance of safety in our industry and at PVNGS. He routinely provides input to contractors and consultants to promote the safety culture that we strive for as a company. He has served as President of the PVNGS Contractor Safety Council which provides a forum for the advancement of safety at PVNGS.
EDUCATION
BS Geology
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Arizona Registered Geologist (#47589)
ICC-Structural Masonry Special Inspector
ICC-Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector
ICC-Spray-applied Fireproofing Special Inspector
GCI-Geosynthetics Materials and Compacted Clay Liners
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologist (AEG)
International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI)
Geological Society of America (GSA)
International Code Council (ICC)
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating - Contractor Safety Council (Council President)
MICHAEL E. SMITH, PE
PRINCIPAL
Michael Smith is a Principal for the Phoenix Office of Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO).
MICHAEL E. SMITH, PE
PRINCIPAL
Michael Smith is a Principal for the Phoenix Office of Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO). Mr. Smith has over 18 years of experience in the Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Engineering & Testing, and Environmental Services fields. He co-founded SAECO with Michael S. Annala in 2011. SAECO provides Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Engineering related services to clients across Arizona.
Mr. Smith’s role at SAECO involves client development, engineering oversight, employee development and strategic planning for the firm from inception through achieving its vision to become a multi-state, multi-office operation during the next 3 to 5 years.
During the past 15 years Mr. Smith has served as a Construction Engineering Department Manager for 2 large national engineering firms in the Phoenix area. During these roles, Mr. Smith has directly managed more than $50M in engineering services with typical department sizes ranging from 25 to 60 people. Mr. Smith has been involved in numerous technical project roles related to asphalt concrete pavements. He has completed ADOT asphalt concrete mix designs, Engineering Analyses, and pavement materials evaluations for various state and local agencies.
Several clients utilize Mr. Smith to perform asphalt concrete pavement evaluations and recommendations associated with pavement rehabilitation options. This work has included participating in the life cycle analysis of various pavement rehabilitation options to ensure maximum benefit based upon the owner’s objectives. Mr. Smith has also assisted various state and local agencies with the development of testing procedures and specifications to ensure the quality of asphalt pavement construction.
Technically, Mr. Smith has performed various engineering functions from completing asphalt concrete, Portland cement concrete, and soil-cement mix designs; maintaining government agency/laboratory accreditations; development of QA/QC testing programs; development of engineering test procedures; completing pavement design and pavement design evaluation; and serving in various project technical roles.
Mr. Smith developed the services and staff at Terracon during his time there from 1999 to 2011. The group performed approximately $750k in annual revenues prior to his arrival. By 2001 the staff size and revenues had doubled. By 2005, the annual revenues had reached $6M. To achieve these growth levels, Mr. Smith led an aggressive business development strategy that placed Terracon among the leading service providers in the industry.
Mr. Smith was selected to become a faculty associate of the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University in 2004. Since then he has taught Construction Materials Testing 310 (CON 310) to more than 1,000 future construction professionals.
EDUCATION
BS Civil Engineering
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Arizona Professional Engineer, Civil (#32340)
FORMER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
ASCE, Phoenix Branch Younger Member
Forum President
Arizona Builders Alliance
Maricopa Association of Governments(MAG),
Specifications & Technical Committee
Associated General Contractors (AGC)
Arizona Rock Products Association (ARPA),
Concrete Technical & Education Committee
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
American Concrete Institute (ACI), Examiner
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Arizona Rock Products Association (ARPA),
Asphalt Paving & Technical Committee
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
Technical Advisory Board (TAB)
BRYAN W. REED, P.E.
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Bryan W. Reed is a graduate of the University of Arizona and a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO).
BRYAN W. REED, P.E.
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Bryan W. Reed is a graduate of the University of Arizona and a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO). He has over 14 years of geotechnical engineering experience including performing, reviewing, and coordinating geotechnical investigations. Mr. Reed has provided these services for a variety of project types including commercial, residential, and industrial developments, power plants, water treatment plants, hospitals, educational facilities, highways, bridges, soil retaining structures, and slope stabilization. As Senior Geotechnical Engineer for SAECO, Mr. Reed conducts geotechnical analyses; prepares and reviews soil and foundation reports and specifications; reviews and provides technical support to engineers, technicians, and construction personnel; and assists in project management. Mr. Reed’s project experience includes:
Red Rock Village - Red Rock, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical investigation for the development of a 134 acre, 452 lot subdivision. Also included in the project was a 15.8 acre site for the model home complex of the subdivision, Sasco Road improvements, and 12.5 acre park. Provided geotechnical report and pavement design summary.
Tucson Modern Street Car - Tucson, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical investigation and pavement design for all segments of the street car alignment. Geotechnical investigations were also provided for the electrical substations planned along the routes and the Maintenance & Storage Facility.
Ocotillo Elementary - Vail, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical investigation for a new school to be located at this 12-acre site. The school will have five single-story buildings and associated parking and ball fields. Prepared geotechnical report which included recommendations for foundations, pavement design and construction, earthwork and drainage recommendations.
Mariposa Community Health Center - Rio Rico, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical investigation for an approximately 16,000 square foot health care center and associated paved parking. Also provided recommendations for construction of a single-story 3,500 square foot pre-engineered building.
Tucson Airport Residence Inn - Tucson, AZ
Project Manager for the geotechnical investigation for a three story, 124 room hotel with a plan area of 25,500 square feet.
Bisbee Sewer Improvements - Cochise County, AZ
Performed geotechnical field investigations and coordinated laboratory testing for the construction of approximately 30 miles of sewer improvements in the Bisbee Area. Sewer improvements included sewer line replacement, a new sewer force main, an interceptor sewer line, an effluent line, the construction of Mule Gulch Lift Station and the construction of the San Jose Waste Water Treatment Plant.
EDUCATION
ME Geological Engineering, 2012,
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
BS Geological Engineering, 2000,
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Engineer, Civil
Arizona, No. 44728
Professional Engineer, Civil
California, No. C81486
MSHA Certification, Exp.7/2014
EXPERTISE
Geotechnical Consulting Services for Roadways, Industrial, Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants, Pipelines, Buildings, Bridges, Power Plants, Railways
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Numerous geotechnical transportation projects including new major freeway segments, multi-level interchanges, emergency slope repair, and bridge and roadway widening
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Society of Civil Engineers,
Younger Member Forum, Past President
Association of Engineering Geologists,
President, 1999-2000, Student Chapter
DANIEL C. ROSENBALM, PH.D., P.E.
Geotechnical Services Manager
Dr. Rosenbalm is the Geotechnical Services Manager for the Tempe office of Smith and Annala Engineering Company (SAECO).
DANIEL C. ROSENBALM, PH.D., P.E.
Geotechnical Services Manager
Dr. Rosenbalm is the Geotechnical Services Manager for the Tempe office of Smith and Annala Engineering Company (SAECO). Dr. Rosenbalm has over 8 years of experience in the Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Engineering & Testing, and Forensic Engineering fields. Dr. Rosenbalm has expertise in conducting geotechnical and forensic investigations and analyses, preparing geotechnical and forensic engineering reports, providing technical support to design engineers, owners, and construction personnel.
Dr. Rosenbalm’s role at SAECO involves client development, engineering oversight, employee development, and strategic planning for the firm to achieve its vision to become a multi-state, multi-office operation.
Dr. Rosenbalm has served as a Senior Project Manager for a wide range of Geotechnical Engineering projects including: roadways, bridges, slope stability, temporary shoring, commercial developments, underground utilities, retention structures, and solar shade structures. In addition to pre-construction Geotechnical Engineering services, Dr. Rosenbalm has provided post design construction services for wide range of Geotechnical Engineering projects including: earth fissure evaluations, roadway intersection improvements, concrete parking structures, and tunnel evaluations. Dr. Rosenbalm has also provided foundation inspections for earthen structures and has been involved in the designs of various types of reinforced earth structures.
Dr. Rosenbalm previously has served as a Senior Staff Engineer and a Laboratory Technician for a wide range of Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Engineering & Testing projects. The Geotechnical Engineering projects included: providing technical support to engineers and performing geologic reconnaissance, project background reviews, pavement evaluations, earth fissure evaluations, and field explorations. His Construction Materials Engineering & Testing projects included: creating job completion reports, evaluating field densities for pad certifications, and laboratory testing of soils & aggregate, concrete, and asphalt.
Dr. Rosenbalm received his PhD from Arizona State University Majoring in Geotechnical Engineering with a Minor in Transportation Engineering Materials. His doctorate dissertation analyzed the swell/shrinkage characteristics of compacted expansive soils subjected to multiple wetting and drying cycles. The dissertation study also presented how various token loads, moisture contents, and densities from accepted testing protocols produce varying results that could be problematic for engineering use.
Dr. Rosenbalm was selected to become a faculty associate of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University in 2014. Since then he has taught Foundation Design (CEE 452) to more than 100 future engineering professionals. In addition, Dr. Rosenbalm was selected to become a faculty associate of the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University in 2015 teaching Construction Materials Testing 310 (CON 310) and taught more than 250 future construction managers/construction engineers.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering, 2013, Arizona State University
M.S., Geotechnical Engineering, 2011, Arizona State University
B.S., Civil, and Environmental Engineering, 2009, Arizona State University
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Professional Engineer, Civil
Arizona, No. 60051
EXPERTISE
Geotechnical Exploration Studies, Seismic Refraction Methods, Shallow Foundations, Deep Foundations, Temporary Shoring, Slope Stability, Flood Control Structures, Retaining Walls, Roadways, Pipelines, Forensic Evaluations, Underpinning, and Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG),
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Geo-Institute (Secretary)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Construction Institute
JONATHAN K. ALEXANDER, P.E.
SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER
Jonathan K. Alexander is a Senior Project Engineer for Smith & Annala Engineering Co.
JONATHAN K. ALEXANDER, P.E.
SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER
Jonathan K. Alexander is a Senior Project Engineer for Smith & Annala Engineering Co. (SAECO) and is the Office Manager of the company’s Tucson location. Mr. Alexander has over 9 years of experience in the Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Engineering & Testing fields. SAECO provides Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Engineering related services to clients in the southwestern United States.
Mr. Alexander’s role at SAECO includes office management, geotechnical engineering, and construction materials testing services.
Mr. Alexander has performed a variety of engineering services for geotechnical engineering. This has included geotechnical boring logging and laboratory testing, slope stability analysis, excavation design and drafting, slope observations, and foundation design.
Mr. Alexander’s experience in construction materials testing includes laboratory management and test performance, special inspections, project management and engineering, and other field inspections. He manages the company’s Tucson laboratory.
His project experience includes:
Chula Vista Bridge – Nogales Wash Channel – Nogales, AZ
Project Engineer responsible for special inspection and materials testing for a bridge replacement over the Chula Vista Channel of the Nogales Wash. The project included drilled shafts; a 2 lane, 2 span bridge; grouted stone channelization; quality of aggregate testing; ACI Concrete Transportation Construction Inspection, asphalt paving; and retaining walls. Mr. Alexander was responsible for overseeing the special inspection and materials testing on the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project.
Red Horse 2 Solar and Wind Energy Project – Cochise County, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical engineering of transmission line and a substation for two renewable energy developments. The transmission line runs 8 miles to a wind energy project with a 2 mile spur serving the solar energy project. Mr. Alexander is also serving as the Project Manager for the site work for the 1,200 acre solar development.
Pandhi Dental Office and Lab – Tucson, AZ
Project Manager and Special Inspector for the construction of a $4.1 million Dental Office and Laboratory. The building is being constructed on drilled shafts and grade beams due to significant uncontrolled fill present. Mr. Alexander was responsible for all special inspections for the masonry and reinforced concrete phases of the project.
Water Reclamation Supply System Pipeline Repairs – Maricopa County, AZ
Project Manager for geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services for external post‐tension system repairs to a 35 mile large diameter water transmission pipeline servicing the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Mr. Alexander has been involved in 7 separate power plant outage projects involving the excavation of pipeline segments, post‐tension cable reinforcement, shotcrete placement, and soil backfill within tight project timeframes aligning with the nuclear generating station outage schedules. Mr. Alexander was responsible for project management of all Quality Assurance services and leading a team to develop a horizontal lifeline restraint system for fall protection.
EDUCATION
BS Materials Engineering
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Professional Engineer, Civil
Arizona, No. 55164
New Mexico, No. 22296
Texas, No. 117876
Colorado, No. 49731
Utah, No. 9372974‐2202
Nevada, No. 23403
North Carolina, No. 43004
CERTIFICATIONS
ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector
ICC Structural Masonry Special Inspector
ICC Structural Steel Special Inspector
CQA Geosynthetic Materials Inspector
OSHA 30‐hour Construction Industry Safety
American Concrete Institute, Field
Technician, Level 1
American Concrete Institute, Strength
Testing Technician
Arizona ATTI, Laboratory Asphalt Technician
Arizona ATTI, Laboratory Soils Technician
Arizona AATI, Field Technician
Radiation Safety Training
EXPERTISE
Geotechnical and Construction Materials
Engineering on projects including
Water Resources, Power Generation,
Commercial, Municipal, and Educational
Facilities
COMPUTER SKILLS
AutoCAD
gINT Geotechnical Software
Slope/W, Slope Stability Analysis
Microsoft Office
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Arizona Transportation Builders, Member
Metro Pima Alliance, Member
Southern Arizona Home Builders
Association, Member