Ryan Engineering Our Team
Dan Ryan, PE SE
President | Joined Ryan Engineering in 1989
Dan grew up working on engineering projects under the direction of his father, LD Ryan, the founder of Ryan Engineering. From an early age, he was busy building a log cabin, pouring concrete, welding trusses, fabricating machinery, and building houses and churches. He learned to draft by hand on a board in high school. Dan has been practicing engineering for over 25 years, working on a wide range of projects. In addition to structural engineering, he enjoys teaching and mentoring students. Dan is actively involved with a school teaching engineering technology in remote areas of Southeast Asia (Thailand and Myanmar). Teaching in these settings requires a lot of creative problem solving due to limited resources and cultural differences; simple things like access to power, machine shops, replacement parts, and construction materials cannot be taken for granted.
Toby Thompson, MSLE
CEO | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2000
Toby brings a variety of practical strengths to the Ryan Engineering team. He has worked in engineering, architectural design, construction, and management for over 35 years. Since joining the firm, Toby has held multiple engineering and management roles. In his current role as CEO, he provides leadership and administrative oversight for the company. Toby earned a degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Education from Emmaus Bible College, and two degrees from John Brown University: a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Design and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Ethics.
Q+A with Toby
Andrew Bradford, PE SE
Project Manager, Principal | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2008
Andrew leads our Building Envelope Division at Ryan Engineering. He grew up on the gulf coast of Texas in the Houston metroplex and moved to Northwest Arkansas to complete a Bachelor of Engineering from John Brown University. Later, Andrew earned a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Arkansas and became a licensed Professional and Structural Engineer. He has a diverse background in structural engineering and is an expert in architectural components of building envelope systems including blast-resistant glazing, commercial glazing, and flood mitigation systems.
Q+A with Andrew
Jacob Fisher, PE SE
Project Manager, Principal | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2008
Jacob oversees our Structures Division at Ryan Engineering. He is experienced in a wide range of projects, including building design, industrial structures, and municipal engineering projects. Not only is Jacob a registered Professional and Structural Engineer, but he also offers hands-on experience in the construction industry. With this background, he brings a variety of practical strengths, technical skills, and innovative solutions to our team that enable us to deliver successful projects.
Q+A with Jacob
Teva Meegan, EI
Structural Designer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2021
Teva grew up in East Arkansas and moved to NWA to attend The University of Arkansas and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. During his time at the UofA, he focused on both structural and environmental electives. He joined Ryan Engineering’s Building Envelope in 2021 as a Structural Designer and currently focuses on curtain wall and storefront systems.
Q+A with Teva
Adrienne Jaspers
Proposal Coordinator | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2019
Adrienne is the Proposal Coordinator for our Building Envelope Division. Prior to joining our team, Adrienne worked at Kawneer, an Arconic Company, for twelve years. Her roles there included project engineer, application engineer, Western Order Pursuit Manager, and finally, sales representative for the Seattle Territory. An alum of John Brown University, Adrienne returned to Northwest Arkansas along with her husband and three children. Adrienne brings years of sales experience along with knowledge of engineering practices to the team at Ryan Engineering.
Q+A with Adrienne
Jeff Cottos
Lead Façade Designer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2021
Jeff Cottos joined our team in 2021 to start up the Drafting Department for the Building Envelope Division and serve as its Lead Façade Designer. With an entire career in the Building Envelope Industry, Jeff’s experience includes management, application engineering, drafting, takeoff, fabrication, and CNC programming.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, after finishing school in Indiana, Jeff made his way to Springdale, Arkansas, to begin his career working for Kawneer. Jeff left the Northwest Arkansas area to work for product manufacturers and glazing contractors in Dallas, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Sheboygan, WI. His career brought him full circle back to NWA this year, along with his wife, Char, who also has a lengthy career in the Building Envelope industry.
Q+A with Jeff
Luke Sharum
Façade Designer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2023
Luke, a Northwest Arkansas native, discovered his passion for architecture and engineering during high school, where he enrolled in architecture courses. While in high school, he competed in Architectural Drafting, winning at the Arkansas competition, which earned him a spot in the National Championship in Atlanta, GA. In 2023, Luke joined the Drafting Team within Ryan Engineering’s Building Envelope Division as a Façade Designer, specializing in curtain wall and storefront systems. When not at work, Luke spends his time working at his local church and watching movies.
Q+A with Luke
Mark Murray, PE
Project Engineer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2019
Mark was born and raised in Mid-Missouri; he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. During his time at Missouri S&T, Mark led a student design team that worked on building projects with Habitat for Humanity. After completing his degree in the spring of 2019, Mark joined our Structures division at Ryan Engineering.
Q+A with Mark
Dmitrii Golovichev, PE
Project Engineer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2021
Dmitrii, or less formally known to us as Dima, was born and raised in Siberia. He received his first Civil Engineering degree in Siberia before relocating to work at the Moscow University of Civil Engineering as a Structural Engineer. In 2016, Dima was awarded funding to study abroad and completed a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures from the University of Florida. Passionate about engineering with over six years of experience in the structural design of buildings, bridges, forensic engineering, construction management, and BIM, Dima has passed his PE exam and will soon obtain his Professional Engineer License. Dima joined our team in 2021 as a Structural Designer working with the structures division.
Q+A with Dmitrii
David Murphy, EI
Structural Designer | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2022
David joined the Ryan Engineering team in 2022 as a Structural Designer with the Structures Division in Fayetteville. David grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he attended Arkansas State University and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Newly married, David moved to Fayetteville and began his master’s degree program at the University of Arkansas in 2020. He received a master’s in Structural Engineering in 2022. Throughout his educational experience, David held internship positions working in civil and structural engineering, along with charitable work in the construction industry.
Q+A with David
Harrison Kretzer
Finance Manager | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2022
Harrison has lived in Siloam Springs, AR, since 2002, when his family moved from Atlanta, GA. He graduated from John Brown University in May of 2021, where he completed a degree in Finance and met his now wife, an ER pediatric nurse. During his last semester at John Brown, Harrison began working part-time in the Business Office at John Brown University, assisting with accounting tasks, and began full-time work after graduating. Harrison joined our team in August of 2022 as our Finance Manager.
Q+A with Harrison
Kelly Callahan
Licensing Specialist | Joined Ryan Engineering in 2016
Kelly moved from Napa Valley, California to attend Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR. After completing her degree in Bible, Kelly returned to California, where she founded Mt. View Distributing, a small company that provided specialized gifts for corporations. In 2013, Kelly and her family relocated to Siloam Springs, AR, where she provides ongoing support for a local church along with her husband, who is the head pastor. Kelly joined our team in November of 2016 as our licensing specialist. In addition to licensing support, she assists with data collection and entry and file organization.