about

OUR TEAM

We bring the skillset and experience to assist with necessary civil engineering services having provided design for public improvements to over 25 cities, villages, townships, and county agencies throughout Michigan. Led by Pete Buurstra, our team includes sixteen full-time team members consisting of project managers, engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, computer technicians, field technicians and an office manager ­— living and working in communities across the state. 

LEADERS

Over our history, we have grown to become leaders in water resource management and site development. And as firm ownership changed in 2016 when four team members purchased LRE from the owner — we have not only maintained brand integrity — we have worked to expand the services we offer to the communities we serve.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

It is this atmosphere that promotes collaboration and innovative thinking on every project that comes through our door.

MEET OUR

LEADERSHIP TEAM

A firm staple since 2005, Pete is our president and brings over 17 years of experience in water resource, municipal and site development engineering and has managed several award-winning projects. While his role as President involves ensuring the LRE vision is implemented, he remains passionate about implementing the visions of our clients. 

Rod has been with LRE since 2013 and has over 15 years experience in the construction industry. He specializes in construction staking, boundary surveys and hydrographic surveying. As vice president, Rod is well versed in the use of robotic total stations, GPS, profilers, echotracs and the software required to process the data correctly and efficiently.

Dan has been with LRE since 2013 and has more than 17 years of experience in water resource, municipal and site development engineering as well as MDOT construction. As vice president, he has worked extensively with County Drain Commissioners throughout Michigan and is well versed in the Michigan Drain Code and environmental regulations. He is one of few within the state to have completed all four levels of fluvial geomorphology and natural channel design training by Dr. Dave Rosgen.

Kyle has been with LRE since August 2012 and has more than 15 years of experience in water resource, municipal and site development engineering. As vice president, he leads our site development team and excels in bringing our clients’ visions to fruition. Kyle specializes in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of open and enclosed drainage systems, storm water management and design of green infrastructure.

Gabrijel is a 2020 graduate from Michigan State University’s Civil Engineering Program and joined the LRE team as a summer intern in 2019. Gabe was a star on the MSU club basketball team and enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends outside of the office.

Ryan joined LRE in May after working for two years in Phoenix, AZ with a focus on water resources and site design for residential, commercial, and municipal projects. He has a passion for sustainable design and excels at working with coworkers and clients to find solutions to complex engineering problems. Ryan graduated from Calvin University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Joan joined LRE in 2011 and serves as our Office Manager. Joan is the heart of LRE and the friendly smile that greets you at our door

Kyle “Bruce” joined LRE in September 2019 after spending six years in San Antonio, Texas, where he worked on projects like the Security Services Federal Credit Union Campus and the Lackland Gateway. As a licensed landscape architect, Bruce brings a skillset and passion for Green Infrastructure, Parks and Recreation and Site Development. Bruce is a graduate of Michigan State University and enjoys spending his free time sailing on Lake Michigan and skiing fresh powder.

Dennis joined LRE in July 2019. Dennis came to LRE with 4 years of municipal experience in the design and inspection of water distribution systems along with storm and sanitary collection systems. He also has experience working on multiple local and MDOT roadway projects. Dennis is a graduate of Michigan State University and enjoys spending his free time on the water and playing beach volleyball.

Megan joined the LRE team in summer 2020 after graduating with a BS in Environmental Engineering from Michigan State University. Megan is passionate about sustainable engineering and water resource engineering, and enjoys traveling and outdoor activities.

Christine joined LRE this year as our Biological Scientist after working several years for the National Park Service on the West Coast. She has a degree in Natural Resources Management and specializes in botany, ecology, and invasive plant management. Christine enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time outdoors in her free time.

Neil De Wit

Neil joined the LRE team in May 2022, and has over 15 years of experience in the municipal engineering services. Neil’s experience assisting communities in their infrastructure design and construction engineering has proven to be an asset for our clients and the LRE team. Neil’s is a project manager on the LRE municipal team and serves as a mentor to younger staff. Outside the office, he is a dedicated father who spends his time shuttling kids to and from sporting events. On the rare occasion he has some time for himself, Neil enjoys getting outdoors to hunt and golf.

Calogero joined the LRE team in March 2014 and serves as a survey crew leader. Calogero received his bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied structural design and water resource engineering while participating in the American Society of Civil Engineers Club and serving on the executive board of his fraternity.

Lindsey is a transplant from Florida where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida. Lindsey employs the many skills she learned at UF while working on plans and surveys at LRE. Lindsey’s skills include CAD, GIS, creating Photoshop graphics, as well as site planning and landscape design.

A 2016 graduate of Michigan State University, David has nine years of experience in commercial excavation and outdoor facilities + resource management. In his free time, he takes advantage of the water resources Michigan has to offer — diving, surfing, sailing and skiing.

Nate has been with LRE since its inception in 2004. Nate is a crucial member of the team, and ensures that projects get highly skilled and detailed drafting. Nate is proficient at computer aided drafting, Photoshop, Microsoft Office suite, GIS, and has excellent hand rendering skills. Nate is passionate about art and music and moonlights as a front-man for several bands.

Adam graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelors degree in Surveying Engineering and joined the LRE team in 2018.

Taylor is our Geospatial / UAS Program Manager.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Science in Applied Geosciences (MSAG) program, specializing in Engineering Geology, GIS and Geotechnical Engineering. His professional areas of interest include engineering geology, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, geospatial data acquisition and analysis, GIS, hydrogeology, hydrology. He holds both a FAA Part 61 Private Pilot license (2009) and a Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot license (2016). Recreationally, he enjoys various outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, backpacking and SCUBA diving.

Chad has been with LRE since 2013. Chad specializes in water resources and site development engineering and leads our construction inspection crews. His passion for the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and skiing, led him to focus his studies on water resource and geotechnical engineering while at Michigan Tech.

Kyle joined the LRE team in May 2019, and has over 17 years of experience in the municipal and transportation engineering design services. Kyle’s understanding of the MDOT design process and municipal utility design provide him with the experience to assist communities in a wide-range of projects. Kyle’s motivation is to develop strong relationships with the communities he serves to provide a true consultant service.

Andrew joined the LRE team in February 2021 as a staff engineer and project inspector. He graduated from Hope College's Engineering School in 2019 and returns to Michigan after spending a year working as a ski lift mechanic Big Sky Resort. Andrew is a natural problem solver and loves being outside. His hobbies include skiing, biking, woodworking, and running.

Debbie has over 20 years of experience in the consulting industry including office administration, human resources and MDOT construction. She is an MDOT Certified Office Technician with extensive experience providing construction administration services, including certifying payrolls for various MDOT and Local Agency Projects. Debbie’s understanding of the MDOT project administration process and her attention to detail has led to success in resolving discrepancies and deficiencies to ensure projects run smoothly. When Debbie is not in the office, she enjoys running, hiking, skiing, and traveling to the UP, and internationally with her family.

Lane graduated from Ferris State University in 2021 and is working on our survey team. He is working toward his goal of becoming both a professional surveyor and professional engineer. Lane loves the outdoors, which is one of the reasons he chose this path. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Jeremiah is a staff engineer with LRE. He is a Wayne State University Civil Engineering graduate and was the ASCE Wayne State Concrete Canoe VP from 2019-2020. He has two years of experience in site development and design, with a passion for water resources and stormwater management. Jeremiah has worked with multiple clients throughout the east coast and midwest. Outside of work, he loves spending time outdoors with his family and enjoys fishing, hiking and kayaking.

Drew is a graduate from Michigan State University’s Engineering Program and joined the LRE team in 2016. Drew is an avid outdoorsman and fisherman with a passion for water resource engineering and ecological services.

JOIN THE LRE FAMILY.

Be part of our growth and make an impact right in your community.

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