Business Details
47 Years
experience
Trusted Civil Engineering and Geologic Services in Northern California and Southern Oregon
SHN Engineers & Geologists has been delivering adaptive solutions for successful projects since 1979. Our team of experienced engineers, geologists, and environmental specialists brings decades of local and regional expertise to every project, combining traditional methods with cutting-edge technologies like UAVs and trenchless engineering. We prioritize client satisfaction, evidenced by our PSMJ Premier Award for Client Satisfaction and an 80 Net Promoter Score, reflecting our commitment to excellence in communication, timeliness, and budget adherence.Our cross-trained staff and horizontal company structure enable efficient, innovative problem-solving while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and community impact. With offices across Northern California and Southern Oregon, we serve cities, counties, tribal governments, and private industries with tailored engineering, environmental, and geoscience services.
Services
Civil Engineering
Surveying and UAVs
Environmental Services
Geosciences
Materials Testing
Planning and Permitting
Biological Sciences
Trenchless Technologies
Water Resources
Low Impact Design
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We offer over 45 years of regional engineering and geoscience expertise
- Our team pioneers trenchless technologies and UAV-based surveying methods
- We maintain a 80 Net Promoter Score for client satisfaction
- Our cross-trained staff reduces project complexity and costs
- We prioritize sustainability in every engineering solution
What people say
Premier Award for Client Satisfaction
NPS score of 80
Award-winning infrastructure rehabilitation
Expertise in complex geotechnical challenges
Effective environmental remediation
Services
Civil Engineering
Our civil engineering team designs and constructs water and wastewater systems, transportation infrastructure, and site development projects. We specialize in trenchless technologies, mechanically stabilized embankments, and low impact design approaches that minimize environmental disruption while maximizing cost efficiency. Our engineers provide comprehensive services from initial planning through construction management and post-construction monitoring.
Surveying and UAVs
Combining traditional surveying with drone technology, we offer topographic mapping, boundary surveys, and construction staking services. Our licensed surveyor-pilots utilize UAVs for aerial monitoring, volumetric calculations, and 3D modeling across diverse landscapes. This integrated approach enhances data accuracy while reducing field time and project costs for clients in both public and private sectors.
Environmental Services
We provide comprehensive environmental services including site assessments, hazardous materials management, and remediation planning. Our team specializes in real-time field analysis, brownfield redevelopment, and regulatory compliance strategies. With over 1,000 successfully closed sites, we deliver cost-effective solutions that balance environmental protection with client project goals through innovative techniques like passive remediation and monitored natural attenuation.
Geosciences
Our geologists and geotechnical engineers conduct site characterizations, slope stability analyses, and foundation evaluations across diverse geological conditions. We employ advanced monitoring technologies and traditional field methods to assess geohazards and develop mitigation strategies. Services include fault rupture hazard investigations, coastal geology studies, and groundwater resource assessments that inform infrastructure development and environmental protection efforts.
Biological Sciences
Our biologists provide wetland delineation, species surveys, and habitat restoration planning to support project compliance and environmental stewardship. We specialize in aquatic organism passage solutions, mitigation banking, and endangered species assessments. By integrating biological considerations early in project planning, we help clients avoid regulatory conflicts while maintaining ecological integrity in both terrestrial and marine environments.
People
Mike K. Foget
Chief Executive Officer
With 25+ years of environmental engineering experience, Mike leads SHN's strategic direction. He has managed complex remediation projects including the Exxon Valdez oil spill and received multiple industry awards for infrastructure rehabilitation work.
Jason Island
Chief Operations Officer
As COO, Jason oversees regional operations with 25+ years of civil engineering leadership. He specializes in municipal infrastructure projects and construction management, having directed major public works initiatives for coastal communities in Northern California.
Christina Tipp
Mendocino Regional Principal
This engineering geologist leads SHN's Mendocino office with 20+ years of geohazard assessment experience. She specializes in fault trenching, slope stability analysis, and regulatory compliance for timber harvest plans while managing multidisciplinary environmental projects.
Walter White
Regional Surveying Principal
With 32 years of surveying experience, Walter leads SHN's Coos Bay operations and surveying division. He has extensive expertise in GPS control networks, construction staking, and integrating UAV data into traditional survey workflows across diverse infrastructure projects.
Jared O'Barr
Civil Engineering Principal
This 10+ year civil engineering veteran specializes in municipal utility design and horizontal directional drilling operations. He provides technical leadership in ADA accessibility compliance and stormwater mitigation strategies for public infrastructure projects.
Questions
What engineering services does SHN specialize in?
We specialize in civil engineering, environmental remediation, geotechnical analysis, biological sciences, and UAV-assisted surveying for public infrastructure and private development projects.
How does SHN handle environmental compliance?
Our team combines regulatory expertise with innovative solutions like low impact design and real-time field analysis to ensure compliance while minimizing project delays and costs.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Northern California and Southern Oregon from our offices in Eureka, Arcata, Coos Bay, and Klamath Falls.
How does SHN ensure project quality?
We maintain quality through cross-trained staff, rigorous technical reviews, and continuous client communication, evidenced by our 80 Net Promoter Score and industry awards.
What makes SHN different from other engineering firms?
Our regional expertise, integrated service approach, and commitment to sustainability deliver cost-effective solutions that balance technical requirements with environmental stewardship.
