We are a Community Design Firm…

AWESOME YEARS

COOL, SMART, TALENTED PEOPLE

SHARED PURPOSE

It all started with 3 guys in a garage…

A three-person civil engineering and surveying firm began making its mark on Montana with a single purpose: To Plan and Design Enduring Communities. As the community of Billings grew, so did the firm – hiring more engineers, moving to bigger offices, and eventually, opening branch offices across the region.

With 50 years in our rear view, we have learned a thing or two about the power of a collaborative design team. We saw how communities thrived when a diverse group of design professionals worked with a united vision toward common goals. So, we have evolved into a comprehensive community design firm. Today, our Engineers, Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Urban Planners, Multi-modal Transportation Specialists, and Graphic Designers work together with our partners to make our world a better place. Looking forward, we see so much potential to improve lives through community design, and we will continue to grow to meet the challenge.

Looking back, there have been some bumps in the road and a few mountains to climb to get where we are today. But we see so many more opportunities on the road ahead. This year, Sanderson Stewart proudly celebrates 50 years of serving our communities

…and we’re just getting started!

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  • Bob Sanderson begins working for Jack Mueller and Jim O’Brien at Sage Engineers and Land Planners as a rear chainman on a survey crew.

  • Jack Mueller starts Mueller Engineering in a converted garage on Grand Avenue. Bob works for Jack during vacations from college.

  • Jack calls Bob in Seattle, and Bob returns to work for the growing firm after a stint with the Department of the Navy.

  • Engineering, Inc. is incorporated and the firm continues to grow at its new location in the Plaza Office Building at 1629 Avenue D in Billings.

  • John Stewart returns to join the firm in his hometown of Billings after six years in Iowa.

  • Bob and John complete their purchase of the firm from Jack, and Jack retires.

  • Rick Leuthold joins the firm as a construction inspector.

  • The growing firm moves to a new office in the Homestead Business Park in Billings, and Dennis Randall joins Engineering, Inc. of Wyoming in Sheridan and moves to the Billings office two years later.

  • Michael Sanderson, while still in high school, begins working at Engineering, Inc. as a surveyor.

  • Michael, Rick and Dennis purchase the firm from Bob and John, but Bob and John remain with the firm as active project managers and members of the Board of Directors.

  • Engineering, Inc. moves to its new office in the TransTech Center and helps pioneer Billings’ new state-of-the-art tech park.

  • Engineering, Inc. opens a branch office in Bozeman, Montana. Go Bobcats!

  • In its 40th year as a company, the firm introduces its new name, Sanderson Stewart.

  • Sanderson Stewart wins the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Dream Big, Small Business of the Year Award.

  • Sanderson Stewart opens a branch office in Denver, Colorado.

  • John Stewart officially retires from Sanderson Stewart.

  • John Tufte, PE, re-joins Sanderson Stewart as a Principal.

  • Sanderson Stewart launches a Fort Collins, Colorado branch office.

  • Dennis Randall, Principal, retires from Sanderson Stewart after 32 years with the firm.

  • Danielle Scharf, PE, PTOE, LEED AP is promoted to Principal.

  • 50 years in the rear view and we are just getting started!

FOLLOW THE LEADER –
ADVENTURES AHEAD!

The leadership team at Sanderson Stewart is filled with visionary people who live the core values that Sanderson Stewart was founded on. They are real people who feel passionately about making their neighbors’ lives better through innovative thinking and sound design principles – sometimes that requires forging a new trail, other times it is a familiar path – but…

the journey is never boring!

MICHAEL SANDERSON, PE, PTOE, LEED AP

President | CEO

When not globetrotting for his side job as International President of ITE, Michael and his black lab, Loki, like to run, fish, and watch his kids play volleyball & baseball. Words to live by: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” –Mario Andretti

RICK LEUTHOLD, PE, CDP, LEED AP

Chairman | Director of Business Development

Rick is a sunshine and rainbows kind of guy. When not traveling the world with his family and his westie, Duffy, Rick is working to make it a better place. That optimism and vision to see opportunity in every challenge is the reason he chose to become a civil engineer.

DANIELLE SCHARF, PE, PTOE, LEED AP

Principal | Bozeman Region Manager

“Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck.” Luckily for us, Danielle can very much be herself. As our first-ever female stock holder, PTOE, and mom to 2 kiddos and one doggo, she excels at most things. Especially tailgating at Bobcat football games.

JOHN TUFTE, PE

Principal | Colorado Region Manager

Following in the footsteps of an amazing role model, mentor (& father), Erling Tufte, John always knew he was going to be a Civil Engineer. He started his career at Sanderson Stewart (back when it was called Engineering, Inc.) and – after receiving his masters and more than a little project experience – he is back once again. John, along with his golden retriever, Leo, is now managing the Colorado region for SS and looking forward to a lot more experiences. “Get ‘er done!”

D.J. CLARK, PE, PTOE

Principal | Billings Region Manager

Lucky for us and the communities he works in, DJ chose transportation engineering over meteorology in college.  Still a tornado chaser at heart, DJ and his dogs Dakota and Mazey, now enjoy hunting safer things like ducks and geese.

TIM PIRTZ, PE

Principal | Chief Design Engineer

Tim loves the outdoors, but not extreme temperatures. That is actually one of the reasons he became a civil engineer. While working on a sweltering construction site one summer, he noticed that the engineer observing from his air-conditioned truck, and he knew that was the job for him. It is also the reason you won’t find him and his lab, Libby, ice fishing anytime soon.

ROBERT SANDERSON, PE, PLS

Board Member | Special Projects

Bob has been the North Star of Sanderson Stewart since the beginning. His earnest, cowboy way of getting things done, along with his strong sense of right and wrong have helped to create a great company. And a really rad ’56 suburban we like to call Old Blue.

KATIE KAY, PE

Associate Principal | DOT Group Manager

Katie specializes in all things DOT, and is our resident Right of Way guru. Born and raised in Billings, Katie loves spending time with her family on the fairways at Yellowstone Country Club. She is an avid Montana State Bobcats fan and legend has it that even her Koi wear blue & gold on game day.

BRYAN ALEXANDER, PE

Associate Principal | Commercial Group Manager

Bryan enjoys solving problems and creating lasting memories. Which is why he chose to be an engineer AND a professional photographer. With his family and cat, Baxter, he lives by the saying: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” No challenge is too daunting. Not even being the crazy cat person in a dog-filled office.

GARY OWEN, PE

Associate Principal | Director of Quality

If you go boating with Gary, you had better be ready to sing some Conway Twitty songs. He isn’t afraid to share his love of “old” country music. Other things he loves include his terrific family; the MSU Bobcats; and math – which is what lead him to his (soon to be) legendary civil engineering career.

KARI ANDREN

Associate Principal | Director of Marketing | Branding Studio Manager

Inspiration can be found everywhere-Vikings games, driving, or walking the pups, Poppy & Thor on the beach. Keeping your eyes and mind open encourages more creative solutions, no matter where you are. “Lake hair, don’t care.”

AMY SCHNEIDER, MBA, SHRM-SCP

Associate Principal | Director of Human Resources & Administration

“Work for a cause, not for applause.” It couldn’t sum up Amy’s passion to improve people’s lives better. The clean freak in Amy is compelled to fix all our issues and tidy her house. Works out well for her two pups, Macy and Frankie, too.

LAUREN WATERTON, AICP

Associate Principal | Placemaking Studio Manager

Growing up just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park gave Lauren a unique perspective on the built environment and its integration with nature. She balances her love of outdoor activities and her fascination with the complexities of city growth to create great, active communities. She also balances on a unicycle, but that’s a story for another day.

MARK HOLLE, CPA

Associate Principal | Director of Finance & Accounting

Mark’s favorite saying is “Everything is fixable!” Which is great, since he is a CPA.  It ain’t easy keeping a bunch of inspired designers on track financially.  Apparently, golf isn’t easy for him either, but he doesn’t let that stop him from swinging.

CHARLES SONNIER, PE, CFM

Associate | Residential Group Manager

Charles started his career with Sanderson Stewart in Bozeman before moving to Colorado in the early 2000s. Before that? Well you might have to ask him about his rock ‘n roll days and sound engineering skills. Seriously impressive!

JOEY STASZCUK, PE, PTOE

Associate | Community Transportation Studio Manager

When Joey isn’t working to create enduring communities at Sanderson Stewart, you can usually find him outside, enjoying Montana’s many splendors. As an avid hunter and new dad, Joey knows the importance of taking care of our communities, and all of nature’s bounty for years to come.

CURTIS KRAMER

Associate | CADD MANAGER

You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger MSU Bobcats fan than Curtis. When he’s not cheering on his beloved Cats (or Las Vegas Raiders), you’ll likely find him hanging out with his wife and daughters or driving kids to school on the neighborhood bus!

DOUG PEZOLDT, PLS

Associate | Survey Group Manager

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” – Winston Churchill – is Doug’s favorite quote. It makes sense, because he needs lots of courage to wrangle so many surveyors at one time. When not managing the field crews, you can find Doug & his wife of 30 years cheering for his beloved Texas A&M Aggies.

CHRIS NAUMANN

Associate | Senior Planner

As a Senior Planner, Chris works collaboratively across the firm to achieve the triple bottom line of cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability to improve the communities in which we live, work, and play. Chris is also a busy and active member of the Bozeman community, where he serves on many boards and councils including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition National Council and the Northern Rockies Economic Development District Board among others.

CORA SMIT

Associate | Senior Marketing Coordinator

Cora is a member of the firm’s Branding Studio and leads the firm’s bid/proposal process. As a CSTP focused on the pursuit of Enduring Community Design and an active community volunteer, Cora is very inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt who once said, “Success must include two things: the development of an individual to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world.”

TESSA WERMERS, PE

Associate | Senior Engineer

When Tessa isn’t sharing her road design expertise on DOT-focused projects, you are likely to find her outdoors with her family (and pup!) enjoying all of the fun that Montana has to offer!

ERIN CLAUNCH, PE, PTOE

Associate | Municipal Group Manager

Erin is an active guy. Not only is he the firm’s Municipal Group Manager where he helps design enduring community solutions for cities, towns, and counties all over the Rocky Mountain Region, he is also a football referee, which takes him to the far reaches of Montana to officiate high school games. In his spare time, you’re likely to find Erin cheering on his kids at volleyball meets or his favored Las Vegas Raiders on Sundays.

WE HAVE A

VISION

of being ridiculously good at what we do without taking ourselves too seriously. We call this vision Ridiculocity and CSTP are the key.

AWARDS + RECOGNITION

We are proud to be recognized as a leader in our industry and beyond. Our innovative business and design practices have created a fun, challenging, and creative work environment that allows our Cool, Smart, Talented Professionals (CSTP) to shine. As partners in the design process, Sanderson Stewart continually looks for ways to make our clients’ projects and experiences ridiculously great.

We have fun, and sometimes receive a little recognition while doing it!

Michael Sanderson, PE, PTOE Recognized by ITE

The recent Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) annual meeting held in Portland, Oregon, brought together transportation professionals from far and wide and provided a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry recognition. We are so very proud...

Danielle Scharf Named Rotarian of the Year

Principal and Western Region Manager, Danielle Scharf, PE, PTOE, LEED AP has been honored as the Rotarian of the Year by the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary. "It's such a great group!" says Danielle. "I got involved in Rotary after hearing of all the great things the group has...

Sanderson Stewart Named a Best Firm to Work For… Again!

We are excited to announce that Sanderson Stewart has once again been selected as a Best Firm To Work For in the AEC industry in two categories! Of course, we already thought so, but it is nice to know that industry leader Zwieg Group thinks so, too. Check out the...

Sanderson Stewart is Montana’s Best Firm to Work For

The Zweig Group has once again named Sanderson Stewart as one of the Best Firms to Work For in the Multidiscipline and 50-99 Employee Categories. Additionally, Sanderson Stewart was the only Montana firm to be selected by the Zweig Group in the Multidiscipline...

SANDERSON STEWART’S CULTURE CAMPAIGN RECEIVES SMPS MERIT AWARD

After winning the a Colorado SMPS (Society for Marketing Professional Services) award in the Recruitment and Retention category, Sanderson Stewart's Culture Field Guide/Culture Campaign was nominated for the National SMPS Marketing Communication Awards in the same...

SANDERSON STEWART’S CULTURE CAMPAIGN NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL SMPS MARKETING COMMUNICATION AWARD!

Sanderson Stewart's Branding Studio are once again finalists for the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) National Marketing Communications Awards! Earlier in the year, the Culture Campaign won a regional SMPS award in the "Recruitment and Retention"...

SANDERSON STEWART NAMED ONE OF ZWEIG GROUP’S 2018 BEST FIRMS TO WORK FOR!

Sanderson Stewart has once-again been awarded "Best Firms to Work For" by the Zweig Group for 2018! From the Zweig Group: The Best Firms to Work For award recognizes the top architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering, enviromenal, geotechnical...

BRANDING STUDIO RECEIVES REGIONAL MARKETING AWARD

The Sanderson Stewart Branding Studio was awarded a Marketing Excellence Award from the Society for Marketing Professional Services Colorado region in the Recruitment and Retention category.  The Culture Campaign submission stood out from the competition by showcasing...

MICHAEL SANDERSON HONORED WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD BY THE BILLINGS ENGINEERS CLUB

Michael P. Sanderson, P.E., PTOE, LEED AP and president/CEO of Sanderson Stewart, was recently awarded the 2017 Distinguished Service Award by the Billings Engineers Club. The award recognizes distinguished engineers for exceptional technical contributions to the...

D.J. CLARK RECEIVES 40 UNDER FORTY HONOR FROM BILLINGS BUSINESS

D.J. Clark, P.E., PTOE, Associate and Community Transportation Studio Manager, was awarded Billings Gazette's Billings Business' 40 Under Forty honor as one of Billings' "best and brightest local business professional under forty years of age." Way to go, D.J.! What’s...

DANIELLE SCHARF NAMED ONE OF BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE’S 20 UNDER 40

Danielle Scharf, P.E., PTOE, LEED AP, Associate and Bozeman Regional Director of Sanderson Stewart, was recently the recipient of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's 20 Under 40 award. The honor is presented to the top young members of Bozeman's business community....

SANDERSON STEWART NAMED US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DREAM BIG: SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FOR 2014

It seems that Big Dreams really do come true. Local engineering and community development services firm, Sanderson Stewart, was chosen by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from a record number of applicants as the Small Business of the Year today at the 10th Annual...

SANDERSON STEWART RECEIVES SILVER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WORKSITE HEALTH PROMOTION

Sanderson Stewart received a Silver Award for Excellence in Worksite Health Promotion at the 2014 Worksite Health Promotion Conference in Helena, sponsored by the Montana Association of Health Care Purchasers. The Conference awarded 24 Montana employers who have put...

SANDERSON STEWART MAKES ZWEIG LETTER HOT LETTER 2013 HOT FIRM LIST

The distinction of making it on THE ZWEIG LETTER Hot Firm List is a great accomplishment. The list honors firms that have achieved success in the A/E/P and environmental consulting industry, which is comprised of over 100,000 firms. Sanderson Stewart, headquartered in...