[ ENGINEERS ] David Melroy Patrick Edwards Principal Burns & McDonnell burnsmcd.com
Robert Lemke Jr. CEO AZTEC Engineering aztec.us
Thomas Ryan Principal Hoskin Ryan Consultants, Inc. hoskinryan.com
David Skinner Area operation manager HDR Engineering hdrinc.com
LAST YEAR Scot Schlund Stantec Gregg Creaser Speedie & Associates Clifford Paul PK Associates Structural Engineers Ryan Weed Coe & Van Loo Consultants Darrel Wood Wood/Patel & Associates
Principal MSA Engineering Consultants msa-lv.com By DAVID MCGLOTHLIN
David Melroy started with MSA Engineering Consultants in 1978 as one of the company’s first employees earning only $3.20 per hour. He later bought the company in 1996 from longtime friend and mentor Mark Simoncini, namesake of MSA and founder. In 1978, Melroy was only a freshman at the University of Nevada, Reno but already developed an affinity for electrical engineering and design. His familiarity with both dates back to playing guitar in childhood bands and taking mechanical drawing classes in junior high. He went on to graduate from UNR six years later with two degrees in electrical engineering and architecture. Today, as the principal in charge of the firm and a licensed engineer in 42 states, his responsibilities include contract negotiations and management of the teams, which have completed more than 11,000 projects for more than 1,300 clients. His motto is simple. “It’s about bringing five-star costumer service to the engineering market,” says Melroy. “Clients come to us, recognize our value and they want us to help them build and create other spots.” Melroy admits business was tough at first when he bought the company in 1996. The company dipped a couple million dollars into debt during a time when he was relocating to a home in Las Vegas with his wife and twins. He said during that rough patch, the team mainly worked in the living room of their new home, which he joked slowly began to fill up with old pizza boxes and sleeping bags. Today, he splits his time between the company’s offices in Vegas, Reno and Phoenix. He adds the Phoenix branch, which opened in 2010, is “quickly becoming the largest and most dynamic office that we have,” and is where Melroy spends most of his time. “When I fly in, I see all the rooftops in Maricopa County and I get excited because every one of those buildings is some sort of design opportunity,” he explains. Melroy recalls being blessed with a lot of opportunities throughout his career from Simoncini’s mentorship to the business relationships that Melroy forged and maintains today. He says, “My big thing is providing opportunities for young people who want to do awesome things by providing them with an avenue to success.” The Phoenix office is made up of many young graduates from in-state universities, which adds to the company’s lively and playful culture. He explains team spirit hits a peak during rivarly games like the Territory Cup between Arizona State University and University of Arizona and usually includes some sort of friendly wager. This is nothing new to Melroy who lives in a “house divided” with a son who graduated from ASU and a daughter currently attending UA. He still roots for the Sun Devils.
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PEOPLE AND PROJECTS TO KNOW 2016