Business Details
50 Years
experience
Expert Engineering Services in Minneapolis, MN
Nelson Rudie & Associates is a 100% employee-owned consulting engineering firm founded in 1976 by Dennis Nelson and Scott Rudie. With over 49 years of experience, we specialize in structural, mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration engineering services for public and private clients across the United States and Canada. Our team of 80+ employee-owners includes licensed professional engineers in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces. We deliver quality projects through collaborative partnerships with architects, building owners, developers, and contractors, focusing on conventional design-bid-build and design-assist methodologies.Our expertise spans diverse sectors including arts and culture, education, government, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and transportation facilities. As a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) by the Central Certification Program (CERT), we combine technical excellence with sustainable design practices, utilizing advanced BIM technologies and LEED-accredited professionals to meet evolving client needs and industry standards.
Services
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Refrigeration Systems
Sustainable Design
BIM Modeling
Historic Renovations
Ice Arena Design
Senior Living Facilities
Retail Prototypes
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- 100% employee-owned firm ensuring accountability and expertise
- Licensed engineers in all 50 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces
- LEED-accredited professionals for sustainable design solutions
- Specialized experience in ice rinks, senior living, and retail prototypes
- Certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with 49+ years of track record
Associations and certifications
- Central Certification Program (CERT)
What people say
Exceptional support
Cost-efficient solutions
Reliable partners
Technical expertise
Responsive service
Services
Structural Engineering
Our structural engineering team designs safe, code-compliant systems for new construction and historic renovations. We specialize in challenging regional conditions, seismic design, and tornado shelters. With licenses in 41 U.S. states, we deliver solutions for auto dealerships, recreation centers, and multifamily housing projects while maintaining strict adherence to local building codes and sustainability standards.
Mechanical Engineering
We provide comprehensive mechanical design services including HVAC, plumbing, and specialty systems. Our engineers perform detailed energy analysis for LEED certification and state standards. With nationwide licensing, we specialize in ice arenas, natatoriums, and clean rooms, ensuring optimal environmental control and energy efficiency for commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities.
Electrical Engineering
Our electrical engineering services cover power distribution, lighting design, and fire alarm systems. We integrate renewable energy sources and perform arc flash studies for safety compliance. With expertise in retail, commercial, and industrial projects, we deliver energy-efficient solutions meeting LEED, Minnesota B3, and California Title 24 standards through advanced BIM coordination.
Refrigeration Engineering
We design efficient refrigeration systems for supermarkets, food service facilities, and industrial applications. Our engineers handle CO2 transcritical systems, ammonia refrigeration, and cold storage solutions. Partnering with leading manufacturers, we provide full-cycle design from small walk-in coolers to large-scale distribution center systems, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainable design practice incorporates LEED-certified professionals and energy modeling tools. We implement Minnesota B3 Guidelines and SB 2030 standards, focusing on energy-efficient mechanical systems, daylight harvesting, and renewable energy integration. Through BIM technologies, we optimize building performance while reducing environmental impact across all project types.
People
Matthew Elhadad
President
Leading Nelson Rudie & Associates's strategic direction, Matthew ensures client satisfaction through operational excellence and technical innovation. With decades of engineering experience, he maintains our employee-owned culture while expanding service capabilities across North America.
Eric Nelson
Principal | Chief Structural Engineer
As Chief Structural Engineer, Eric oversees complex structural projects nationwide. Licensed in multiple states, he specializes in high-seismic zones and tornado shelter design, combining technical expertise with practical construction knowledge to deliver safe, cost-effective solutions.
Eric Nebelung
Principal | Chief Mechanical Engineer
Eric leads mechanical engineering operations with LEED accreditation and expertise in ice arena systems. He specializes in energy-efficient HVAC design, ensuring compliance with state and federal sustainability standards while maintaining client budget requirements.
Jeffrey Piehl
Principal | Chief Electrical Engineer
Jeffrey directs electrical engineering services with dual licensure in the U.S. and Canada. His focus areas include power system analysis, lighting design, and sustainable energy integration for commercial and institutional projects across North America.
Gregory Lindberg
Principal | Chief Refrigeration Engineer
Gregory specializes in refrigeration system design for supermarkets and industrial facilities. With nationwide licensing, he develops efficient cooling solutions using CO2 and ammonia-based systems, working closely with manufacturers to ensure optimal performance and regulatory compliance.
Questions
What engineering services does Nelson Rudie & Associates offer?
We provide structural, mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration engineering services for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects across North America.
Are you licensed in all U.S. states?
Our engineers hold licenses in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces for structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
What industries do you specialize in?
We specialize in ice arenas, senior living facilities, retail prototypes, multifamily housing, and historic renovations across education, healthcare, and government sectors.
Do you offer sustainable design solutions?
Yes, we have LEED-accredited professionals and implement energy-efficient systems meeting Minnesota B3, SB 2030, and California Title 24 standards.
How is Nelson Rudie & Associates structured as a company?
We are a 100% employee-owned firm with 80+ professionals, ensuring accountability and long-term commitment to client success through our ESOP ownership model.
What makes your firm different from competitors?
Our employee-owned structure, nationwide licensing, and specialized expertise in challenging projects like ice arenas and tornado shelters set us apart in technical excellence and client collaboration.
