Meet the Team

Western is located in Cheyenne, WY, and brings over 30 years of project experience including all types of professional civil engineering, planning, surveying, permitting and compliance, and construction engineering services. Western has provided comprehensive civil engineering and related support services from initial feasibility and planning all the way through to supporting our clients during final construction. Western merged with Y2 Consultants, a certified, woman-owned small business located in Jackson, WY.

All

Water Rights Specialist/Survey Technician

Liberty Blain

For over twenty years, Liberty has worked for Wyoming’s water and natural resources in state and local government. In 2019, she became the Survey Technician for Western Research and Development and is pursuing professional licensure. She holds a master’s degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management / Water Resources from the University of Wyoming and is passionate about bringing together the disciplines of land surveying and water rights. She has great enthusiasm for getting women of all ages and abilities outdoors and can often be found camping, hiking, and snowshoeing through the year.

Project Coordinator

Shelby Carlson, PE

Shelby is a Wyoming native, raised in Riverton. She obtained a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wyoming in 1987. She worked for the last 30 years for the State of Wyoming at the Department of Transportation and the State Construction Department. Shelby’s experience has focused on transportation engineering, contract administration, project management, and leadership. Shelby joined Y2 Consultants in January 2021. In her spare time, Shelby is involved in the Cheyenne Engineer’s Club, the Wyoming Engineering Society, and P.E.O. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and many activities that get her into the Wyoming outdoors.

Cheyenne Engineering Department Manager

Rich Cripe, PE

Rich is a Wyoming native, raised in Douglas. In 1991, he obtained a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wyoming. He worked for 28 years for the State of Wyoming at the Department of Transportation, Wyoming Water Development Commission, and Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Rich’s experience has focused primarily on transportation engineering, contract administration, project management, municipal utility engineering and planning, and leadership. Rich joined WRD/Y2 in May 2021. In his spare time, he is involved in home renovations, spending time with family and friends, and many activities that get him into the Wyoming outdoors.

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Jerry Downs, PE

Jerry is a Wyoming native, born and raised in Cheyenne. He obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Wyoming in 1975. He worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation for 38 years, retiring in 2013 as the State Electrical Engineer, Operations. Jerry’s experience focuses on traffic signal engineering, designing electronic control circuits for various traffic control devices, and project management. Jerry has worked part-time for Western for 30 years. Jerry also maintained a Journeyman Electricians License for many years and obtained his International Municipal Signal Association Level III certification as well. In his spare time, Jerry enjoys team roping, building spurs, and spending time with his horses.

Civil Engineer

Chad Dunn

Robert C. Dunn, who goes by Chad, is a civil engineer. He is a University of Wyoming graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the WYDOT Design Squad in Laramie, interned as a field engineer, and worked construction during the summers. When he is not in the office you can find Chad enjoying his hobbies of photography, snowboarding, or in the garage working on projects, including a house remodel. Chad’s immediate goals include obtaining his Professional Engineer’s License.

Cheyenne Operations Manager

Gary Grigsby, PE, PLS

Gary is Vice President in charge of operations at Western Research and Development. He is a Professional Engineer and Licensed Land Surveyor in both Wyoming and Colorado. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming. Gary is also a helicopter pilot and flew a Bell 206L Long Ranger helicopter for Western when we did in-house LiDAR and aerial mapping. He has personally dedicated himself to raising the bar for expectations in both the Surveying and Engineering professions.

Senior Project Manager

Lou Harmon, PE, PLS, PG

Lou grew up on a sandhill farm in Northeast Colorado, 2 ½ miles from the next-door neighbors. He found his way out of the hills to Golden, Colorado, and the Colorado School of Mines. He graduated with a degree of Professional Engineer of Engineering Geology in 1967. Lou is a Professional Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor, and Professional Geologist. In his 54 years of professional life, he has been an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, owned a civil engineering and land surveying practice, worked for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality Division with the water and wastewater programs, and retired. The next week he began with Western Research and Development on a part-time basis. Lou has developed a clientele of large livestock operations assisting them with wastewater designs and permitting. Lou and wife Julie love their home in Cheyenne overlooking F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the front range. They enjoy gardening, especially raising tomatoes.

Project Engineer

Jim Kladianos, PhD, PE

Jim Kladianos joined the Y2/Western team in April 2021. Jim retired from the University of Wyoming Design Squad, an intern program that WYDOT has operated in conjunction with the UW College of Engineering for many years. Jim led the WYDOT Design Squad, teaching and mentoring hundreds of college students in the art of designing highway projects, from 1982 until his retirement in late 2020. While leading the UW Design Squad, Jim also taught engineering courses at the University of Wyoming and took classes to obtain his Doctorate Degree in Engineering. Prior to leading the UW Design Squad, Jim worked in WYDOT’s Bridge Program. Jim brings over 40 years of WYDOT experience to the firm. In Jim’s spare time he enjoys spending time on the UW campus, reading, and eating out.

Senior Civil Engineer

Adrienne Lemmers, PE

Adrienne is a true blue Wyomingite. She grew up in Casper and then went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie to get her BS and MS in Civil Engineering. She moved into the abyss between Laramie and Cheyenne where she still resides. Adrienne worked with WYDOT as well as Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality before coming to the Western team in 2013. She has designed and managed a variety of projects from roadways to non-motorized trails to septic systems, site plans and everything in between. She also works on agricultural design projects and does environmental sampling and reporting. Adrienne enjoys practicing karate and hanging out in the outdoors in her free time.

Senior Civil Engineer

Delbert McOmie, PE

Del joined the Y2/Western team in January of 2020. Del is a Wyoming Native, born and raised in Lander, Wyoming. He was fortunate to have lived, worked, and explored many areas of Wyoming during his working career. He obtained a Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Wyoming and is a Licensed Civil Engineer. He worked for the State of Wyoming for over 40 years, 35 of those with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, including 15 years as Chief Engineer. His last 5 years, he worked as Director of the School Facilities Department and State Construction Department. His experience spans both Transportation and Building Renovation/Construction and Major Maintenance. Del is a member of Cheyenne Engineers Club, Wyoming Engineering Society, and National Society of Professional Engineers. He is also a Graduate of Leadership Wyoming, class of 2004. In his spare time Del can be found in Wyoming’s Great Outdoors.

Engineer/LiDAR Specialist/GIS Technician

Brian Neville, PhD, EI

Brian is originally from eastern Nebraska. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering, an MS in Aerospace Engineering, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His professional and academic experience includes tracking storage conditions for explosive warheads for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, simulating launch conditions for a proposed International Space Station emergency rescue craft, and creating a composite metal foam through powder metallurgy. After moving around the East Coast for a couple of years for school, training, and various jobs, he and his wife moved to Cheyenne to be somewhat closer to family but still near the mountains. He joined Western in 2013 to process LiDAR but has since found himself doing a little of everything, from drafting to intersection layouts, to GIS to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Nutrient Management Plans. In his free time, he enjoys playing hockey, hiking, road and mountain biking, and baking.

Marketing Coordinator

Kosha Olsen

Kosha has over 20 years of marketing, communication, and program management experience, primarily in Wyoming’s agriculture sector. Most recently she spent ten years as the director of communications for the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and six years as program director for the Wyoming Beef Council. Kosha grew up on the farm her great-grandmother homesteaded in 1908 near Albin, WY, attended Northwest College in Powell for two years, and transferred to Kean University in New Jersey to complete a bachelor’s degree in communication. Kosha and her husband, Brian, live in Cheyenne where Brian is the administrator for the Wyoming Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division. They have three children – son Finn entering 3rd grade, and twins Ian and Ivy entering 2nd grade. Kosha’s hobbies include cooking, traveling, and playing the piano. She also sits on the board of directors for her local electric cooperative, High West Energy.

Marketing Specialist

Jamie Spaulding

Jamie has over 20 years of marketing and communications experience supporting engineering firms of all sizes in their marketing goals. She is experienced in the preparation of proposals and presentations, as well as promotional, and collateral marketing material in a deadline driven setting. In addition, she has developed the skills necessary to recognize, establish, and maintain key client relationships. Jamie also possesses a strong knowledge and understanding of marketing and business development best practices. She grew up in Nebraska and ventured to West Virginia University on a full athletic scholarship, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Jamie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. She and her husband have two school-aged daughters. She enjoys hiking, camping, coaching, and volunteering for her children’s activities. 

Professional Land Surveyor

Dave Spurlock, PLS

Dave is a licensed Wyoming Land Surveyor. For 15 years, he has run Spurlock Land Surveying based in Lander. Dave specializes in aerial mapping, land surveying, GPS/GIS and LiDAR data collection. He is on the cutting-edge of drafting, software, and survey technology. Dave joined WRD/Y2 in May 2021.

Cheyenne Administrator

Ann Marie Taylor

Ann Marie has been the Office Manager at Western Research and Development since 2006. Her primary responsibilities are Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Human Resources, and administrative support. She has lived in Cheyenne almost her entire life and enjoys spending time with her dog and her family.

Community/Transportation Planner

Ed Waddell

Ed is Western’s Community and Transportation Planner. Ed has BS and MS degrees in Urban Planning and Transportation Planning from Michigan State University, and a Masters in Project Management from George Washington University’s Project Management Institute. Ed’s 40 years of experience include eight years as a U.S. Air Force Instructor Navigator and 20 years in state and local government. Ed provides planning process design, transportation studies, and project development. He is a national level expert in modern roundabout planning and design. Ed enjoys travel and camping, and applies his 60 years of camping experience to the design of state-of-the-art public campgrounds. 

Intern

Maxwell Waite

Maxwell has worked as an Intern in the Survey Department at Y2 Consultants since 2020. In the fall of 2020, he transferred to the Cheyenne office to work at the Western Research and Development location while attending the University of Wyoming. Maxwell grew up in Central Minnesota and moved out west to pursue his degree. Maxwell is a part of the Triathlon Team at the University, and in his free time he enjoys playing basketball, hunting, and fishing.