Professional Team Members

Scott J. Weiner – President, Professional Engineer

University of Missouri – Rolla
BS, Civil Engineering, 1995

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
MBA, 2004

  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • Professional Engineer in Missouri
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Consulting Engineers Council
  • Council of Owners and Construction Associates

Scott Weiner joined Sheppard, Morgan and Schwaab, Inc. as an engineer in May 1995 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla. He obtained his Professional Engineer’s license in 2000. In 2004, Mr. Weiner graduated with honors from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and was promoted to a Principal of the Firm and now serves as President.

Throughout his career at SMS, Scott has assisted clients in completing numerous engineering and construction projects including topographic surveying, construction layout, construction observation, water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, site improvement, utility, and various infrastructure improvements. In addition, Scott has worked with clients to obtain creative sources of funding such as Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grants, Community Development Block Grants, special service area financing districts, EPA Clean Water Revolving Fund Programs, FHWA Surface Transportation Program, etc. in an effort to bring projects to fruition.

Building on years of experience, Scott possesses the knowledge and skills to identify and develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to assist clients in achieving their goals.

David E. Godar – Senior Vice President, Professional Engineer

University of Illinois
BS Civil Engineering, 1984

  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • IDOT Approved Negotiator for Land Acquisition
  • Illinois Notary Public
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • American Consulting Engineers Council
  • American Public Works Association
  • Council of Owners and Construction Associates

While attending college, Mr. Godar worked for two summers as a technician for the Illinois Department of Transportation (I.D.O.T.). Upon graduation, he started his career as a Civil Engineer with I.D.O.T. in the Construction Department. In 1985, Mr. Godar accepted the position of Assistant Project Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His role in this position was construction oversight to ensure contractors’ compliance with plans and specifications on the Lock & Dam No. 26 replacement project.

Mr. Godar joined SMS as an Engineer in 1986 and gained experience in a wide range of civil engineering projects. In 1989, Mr. Godar obtained registration as a Professional Engineer. Upon licensure, he was promoted to Project Engineer and is responsible for the design, preparation of plans and specifications, and construction administration for various civil engineering projects including, environmental reports, transportation project development reports, intersection design studies and traffic capacity studies, traffic signal projects, highway and street design, site grading and subdivision layout, stormwater runoff studies, detention basins, preliminary bridge design, and hydraulic reports, obtaining IEPA permits, sanitary sewer extensions and pumping stations/force mains, computer analysis of water distribution systems, elevated water storage tower design and water main extensions. Mr. Godar also assists local municipalities with their annual MFT Street Maintenance Programs.

In 2005, Mr. Godar was promoted to Principal of the firm.

Justin R. Kleinschmidt – Vice President, Professional Engineer

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BS, Civil Engineering, 2003

  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • Professional Engineer in Indiana
  • Professional Engineer in Missouri
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
  • Past President, Vice President, Math Counts Chair – Champaign County Chapter

Mr. Kleinschmidt started working for the firm in June of 2010 as a Project Engineer. While at the company, he has completed several municipal drainage projects for the City of Wood River and the Village of Bethalto, and a commercial development for a Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop in Wood River, IL.

Mr. Kleinschmidt started his civil engineering career shortly after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in December of 2003. He started with Farnsworth Group, Inc. in their Champaign office in January of 2004 and continued working there until transferring to the Alton area and beginning work with SMS Engineers in June of 2010. He obtained his license as a Professional Engineer with the State of Illinois in December of 2008 and the State of Indiana in April of 2009.

Mr. Kleinschmidt has worked on a vast majority of engineering and construction projects throughout his career. He has extensive experience with commercial and residential developments and all aspects of the projects from preliminary planning to the final construction close outs. He has worked on bridge hydraulics design projects as well as creek and river modeling. Mr. Kleinschmidt has worked with IDOT on construction inspection in both Districts 3 and 5 overseeing bridge reconstruction projects.

Coey D. Daniels – Vice President, Professional Engineer

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville –
BS Civil Engineering, 2006
Minor, Mathematics, 2006
  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • Professional Engineer in Missouri
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
  • Chi Epsilon Engineering Society

Mr. Daniels was employed by the City of Edwardsville as an Engineering Technician from 2004-2006 while attending SIUE. His duties while employed with the City of Edwardsville consisted of project development, construction inspection, surveying, and AutoCAD design.

After graduating from SIUE in 2006, he accepted the position of Civil Engineer I at Sheppard, Morgan and Schwaab, Inc. Mr. Daniels obtained registration as a Professional Engineer in January 2011. At SMS, Mr. Daniels’ responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and specifications and construction engineering on various transportation and site development projects.

Mr. Daniels’ specific experience on civil engineering projects includes environmental reports, cost estimates, transportation project development reports, intersection design studies, traffic capacity studies, traffic signal projects, highway and street design, site grading and subdivision layout, storm water runoff studies, storm sewer design, retention basin design, obtaining IEPA permits, construction inspection, and nuclear density testing. Mr. Daniels also directs the firm’s sanitary sewer smoke testing team.

Charles A. Sheppard – Chairman of the Board of Directors, Professional Engineer

Monmouth College
BA, Physics, 1982
University of Missouri – Rolla
BS, Civil Engineering, 1981

  • Professional Engineer in Colorado
  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • Professional Engineer in Iowa
  • Professional Engineer in Kentucky
  • Professional Engineer in Missouri
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Water Works Association

Mr. Sheppard started working for the firm on a part-time basis during his summers in high school and college as a rodman and chainman in the survey crews. He also assisted resident engineers with inspection on various roadway and sewer construction projects. After graduating from the University of Missouri – Rolla, he joined the firm on a full-time basis in May of 1981. He was responsible for construction inspection of the improvements to Powdermill Road in East Alton, Illinois and the construction of the Wood River, Illinois Regional Wastewater Treatment Facilities. During non-construction periods, he prepared plans and specifications for various water and sewer projects in the Alton-Godfrey area.

Mr. Sheppard obtained his Professional Engineering license in Illinois in February of 1986, and his Missouri certification shortly thereafter. He remained involved in the preparation of engineering studies, design calculations and equipment selection on both environmental and transportation projects.

In 1987, Mr. Sheppard was appointed Vice President of Engineering and coordinated the work for both municipal clients and developers. His responsibility increased in the overall management of the firm, and he began to pursue new projects in the Madison-St. Clair County area.

Mr. Sheppard became President of the firm in June of 2001. While continuing with design and overall management of various projects, his duties also include the assurance of client satisfaction, from personal meetings to the turnover of finished projects.

Walter D. Blotevogel – Professional Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville,
BS, Civil Engineering, 1971

  • Professional Engineer – Illinois
  • Professional Land Surveyor – Illinois
  • Illinois Society of Professional Land Surveyors
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Land Surveyors
  • American Public Works Association
  • Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

Mr. Blotevogel began his career as a summer employee with the Illinois Department of Transportation in 1965.  Working part-time and full-time with IDOT, he attended classes at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where he received his degree in 1971. In 1972, Mr. Blotevogel received his Professional Engineering license in Illinois and later in Missouri.  He received his Professional Surveyor’s license in Illinois in 1976. In 1973, Mr. Blotevogel joined the City Engineers staff in Springfield, Illinois as the Engineer of Planning and Development. In 1978, Mr. Blotevogel joined the staff of a consulting engineering and land surveying company founded by Willard G. Flagg. Mr. Blotevogel participated in all facets of the firm and became owner in 1991.  He continued that practice until November 2015 when he joined the firm of Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. Mr. Blotevogel’s duties include management of various projects and sharing his many years’ experience in assisting completion of projects throughout the firm.

Some more detailed project experience is:

Wastewater Facilities:

New Douglas – designed and coordinated financing of complete sanitary sewerage collection and treatment system.

Hartford – supervised design and construction of multiple sewer separation projects; sewer line upgrades and the original regional wastewater pump station.

Worden – design wastewater treatment aeration and filtration system with significant decrease in suspended solids and BOD concentrations/

Portable Water Facilities:

Multiple water system improvement projects including distribution upgrades, elevated and ground storage facilities, pumping systems, treatment plant design and upgrade and system control and monitoring design.

Transportation:

Glen Carbon – All facets of planning, design and construction management of Meridian Road/Glen Crossing Road reconstruction project.

Madison County – All facets of design and construction management of Center Grove Road reconstruction project.

Land Development:

Design and construction management of all facets of multiple residential and commercial land development/subdivision projects in Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Hamel, Worden, Collinsville, Troy and Maryville.

Municipal Engineering:

All levels of service including engineering plan review, design and construction management for multiple public works projects, advise and train planning and zoning commission members, technical advisor for City and Village operators/staff and financial planning for public works projects including securing grants, loans, bond issues, and other sources to help make projects possible.

Evan D. Stutz – Professional Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Master of Business Administration, 2021
BS, Civil Engineering, 2016
Land Surveying Specialization, 2016
Minor, Mathematics, 2014
Minor, German, 2014

  • Professional Engineer in Illinois
  • Professional Engineer in Missouri
  • Surveyor Intern in Illinois
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
    –  St. Clair Chapter President, 2022-2023

 

  • Troxler Nuclear Density Safety Training
  • IDOT – PCC Level I/IDOT/ACI Course, Bituminous Concrete Density Course

Mr. Stutz was employed by Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. as an engineer intern from May 2014 until May 2016. His duties while employed as an intern consisted of serving as a member in survey crews, construction inspection and assisting senior engineers with project design, calculations, and final plans. Evan joined Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. full time in May of 2016. In conjunction with other Professional Engineers in the firm, Evan’s responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and specifications and construction engineering/inspection for various water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and land development projects.

Project Highlights:

Principia Phase 2 Water Main Improvements – Godfrey, IL

Consisted of the installation of 10,000 LF of 4”- 12” ductile iron and 10”-16” HDPE water main to better serve Illinois-American Water Company customers. Responsible for providing Illinois-American Water Company with project design services, material review, construction inspection, GPS field data collection, and As-Built plan submittal.

Page Avenue Water Main Improvements – Overland, MO

Consisted of the installation of 10,000 LF of 4”- 16” ductile iron and 20” HDPE water main to better serve Missouri-American Water Company customers. Responsible for providing Missouri-American Water Company with project design services.

MCSSA #1 Lift Station Improvements – Pontoon Beach, IL

Consisted of the installation of 2,400 LF of 10” PVC forcemain, including a jack and bore under Illinois Route 111. Provided Madison County Special Service Area #1 with project design services, material review, construction inspection, GPS field data collection, and As-Built plan submittal.

Paul W. Filinovich – Survey Manager, Professional Land Surveyor

Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL
  • Professional Land Surveyor in Illinois
  • Professional Land Surveyor in Missouri
  • Illinois Society of Professional Land Surveyors
  • Wisconsin Society of Professional Surveyors
  • National Society of Professional Land Surveyors

Mr. Filinovich joined SMS in 2020 and has more than 25 years of experience working in the professional land surveying. He started his work in the survey industry as a survey technician gaining valuable field experience as he progressed to becoming a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor in Illinois and Wisconsin.

As Land Survey Manager, Mr. Filinovich is responsible for the survey department at SMS including the oversight of survey field crews and CADD technicians. In addition, he estimates project costs, performs project management, completes boundary calculations, writes legal descriptions, evaluates title commitments, finalizes survey plats, maintains client communications, attends meetings requiring client representation and maintains overall survey scheduling and invoicing.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Filinovich garnered an extensive work experience including:

ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
Boundary Surveys
Topographic Surveys
Topographic Digital Terrain Modeling
Construction Staking
Subdivision Plats
Department of Transportation Right-of-Way Surveys and Parcel Takings
Utility Easement Descriptions and Documents
FEMA Flood Elevation Certificates
Condominium Plats

Engineering Team Members

Christopher L. Adamson – Civil Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE)
BSCE, 2002; BS, Construction, 1991
  • IDOT – Bituminous Concrete Density Tester Course
  • Nuclear Density –Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. Training Course
  • Registered to attend the following QC/QA Training Courses: Mixture Aggregate Technician and Portland Cement Concrete Level 1

Mr. Adamson was employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation as an Engineering Technician in their co-operative education program during 1987, 1988, and 1989. His duties while employed with the Illinois Department of Transportation consisted of construction inspection and surveying.

He joined Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. in 1991. Under the supervision of the Professional Engineers in the firm, Mr. Adamson’s responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and specifications and construction engineering/inspection for various transportation and environmental projects.

Mr. Adamson’s experience includes inspection of concrete and bituminous pavement, steel and concrete structures, sanitary sewer extensions, and water line extensions.
Mr. Adamson’s design experience includes various roadway, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water line projects.

Mr. Adamson has approximately 11 years of experience in soil and bituminous nuclear density testing. Projects have ranged from small to medium size MFT projects to 1-2 million dollar F.A.U. projects. He has also been responsible for completing the required IDOT documentation for these projects.

Mr. Adamson has also been responsible for bituminous and concrete proportioning reports for various projects ranging from small MFT and F.A.U. projects to 2 million dollar MFT and F.A.U. projects. This includes all concrete reports as well as concrete plant inspection and gradation requirements. With this experience comes 13 years of experience in construction inspection.

Gage Q. Booten – Civil Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
BS, Civil Engineering, 2023

Lewis and Clark Community College
AES, Engineering Science, 2021

  • Hazmat Certification – Troxler Laboratories
  • Nuclear Density –Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. Training Course

Mr. Booten joined Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. shortly after graduating from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in May 2023.  Under the supervision of the Professional Engineers in the firm, his responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and specifications and assisting resident engineers with inspection on various roadway and water/wastewater construction projects.  As a Project Engineer, Mr. Booten’s focus has primarily been on transportation projects.

John C. Goldacker – Civil Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
BS Civil Engineering, 2003

  • Troxler Hazmat
  • Troxler Nuclear Density Safety Training
  • IDOT –  Documentation of Contract Quantities
  • Culvert Hydraulics
  • Bridge Construction Inspection
  • Mixture Aggregate Technician Course
  • PCC Level I / IDOT / ACI Course
  • Bituminous Concrete Density Tester Course
  • Pavement Construction Inspection

Mr. Goldacker was employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation as an Engineering Technician in their co-operative education program in 2001, 2002, and 2003. His duties while employed with the Illinois Department of Transportation consisted of construction inspection and surveying. He joined Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. in January of 2004. Under the supervision of the Professional Engineers in the firm, Mr. Goldacker’s responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and specifications and construction engineering/inspection for various transportation and environmental projects.

Mr. Goldacker’s experience includes inspection of concrete and bituminous pavement, steel and concrete structures, sanitary sewer extensions, and water line extensions. Mr. Goldacker’s design experience includes various roadway, subdivision development, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water line projects. Mr. Goldacker has approximately 8 years of experience in soil, rock, and bituminous nuclear density testing. Projects have ranged from small to medium size MFT projects to 1-2 million dollar F.A.U. projects. He has also been responsible for completing the required IDOT documentation for these projects.

Mr. Goldacker has also been responsible for bituminous and concrete proportioning reports for various projects ranging from small MFT and F.A.U. projects to 2 million dollar MFT and F.A.U. projects. This includes all concrete reports as well as concrete plant inspection and gradation requirements. With this experience comes 12 years of experience in construction inspection.

Raiden A. Hofstetter – Civil Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
BS Civil Engineering, 2020
Minor, Mathematics, 2020

  • IDOT: PCC Level I/IDOT/ACI Course – 2020

Mr. Hofstetter started his engineering employment during his time with Curry & Associates Engineers Inc. while attending SIUE.  His duties while employed included surveying, construction inspection, and AutoCAD design.  Shortly thereafter, while still attending SIUE, he accepted a position with Ameren Missouri as a Project Engineer Intern.  During his year-long tenure with Ameren, Mr. Hofstetter performed various project management duties and construction observation, as well as some water/wastewater design.  Mr. Hofstetter joined Sheppard, Morgan, & Schwaab shortly before graduating in November of 2020, and graduated in December.  As a Project Engineer, his focus has primarily been on water and wastewater projects.

Some of his project experience is listed here:

Illinois American Water Company – Mr. Hofstetter has designed and conducted construction inspection on water and wastewater projects in his tenure with Sheppard, Morgan, & Schwaab.  Most notably the design of a 8” water along a city street for one project, which consisted of formatting plan sheet and permit documents.  His inspection duties consisted of observation of various contractors to ensure that work meets required specifications.

Site Development – Mr. Hofstetter has also been involved with the design of site projects.  One such project was the design of a campground along IL Route 3, another was the design of subdivisions within a lot in Jersey County alongside US 67.

Abigail R. Stormer – Civil Engineer

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
BS, Civil Engineering, 2022
Land Surveying Specialization, 2022

  • IDOT: CET-026 Nuclear Density Tester Course, 2022
  • OSHA 30-Hour Safety Training Course, 2021

Ms. Stormer started her construction background while working at SEI Contracting, Inc. as an Assistant Project Manager/Estimator. During this time, she performed tasks such as project management, project estimating, corporate safety policy development, construction crew logistics, and Trimble GPS setup. Abby’s engineering employment started during her time with the City of Edwardsville, Public Works Department while attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her duties while employed there included construction inspection, surveying, and AutoCAD design. Ms. Stormer joined Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab shortly before graduating in October 2021, and graduated in May 2022. As a Project Engineer, her focus has primarily been on water projects.

Technical Team Members

Neil P. Aery – Technician V

Lewis and Clark Community College
Construction Management Program, 1987

  • OSHA 10-Hr. Course
  • Confined Space Entry
  • IDOT – Survey III – Construction Staking
  • Nuclear Gauge Safety Training
  • Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS
  • Surveying Measurement and Instrument Errors

Mr. Aery has been in the survey profession for 34 years.  He began surveying back in 1985 while working at Kuhlmann Design. In 2002, he joined Sheppard, Morgan and Schwaab, Inc. as a surveyor. Mr. Aery continues to work for SMS as a crew chief, and is responsible for, but not limited to, performing boundary, lot, construction, architectural, feasibility, highway, golf course, and land surveys.

He has been involved with a number of projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Numerous American Water topographic surveys and construction layout.
  • Crew Chief for all of the layout work and grading for Orchard Bend, Burlington Coat Factory, St. Louis, MO.
  • Crew Chief responsible for deck elevations and low beam elevations @ I-170 bridge.
  • St. Louis Streets rehabilitation program.
  • 159 Bridge @ Interstate 55-70.
  • Survey work for Alton Riverboat Gambling and Schnucks Stores.
  • Construction staking on numerous subdivisions, bridges, roadways, parking lots, commercial and government. Projects and farm surveys.
  • Horizontal and vertical control at Scott Air Force Base and stake new Joint Use runway.
  • The IDOT scenic easement project from Alton to Grafton and Grafton to Marquette Park and centerline of Park Army Road. This project was featured on the cover and in an article in Point of Beginning.
  • Stake Champions Trail, Creve Coeur Country Club, and Far Oaks Golf Course.
  • GIS survey in Belleville locating and inspecting sewers with GPS.
  • Numerous IL Power and AmerenUE sub stations.
  • Numerous GPS and feasibility surveys.
  • Construction staking and as-built projects at Phillips 66 refinery.
  • Design survey and layout of Grafton Sky Lift as well as other zipline, amusement park and mudslide surveys.

Greg Fite – Technician V

Lewis and Clark Community College
AAS, Drafting/CAD Technology, 1991

Mr. Fite has 30 years experience in the civil and surveying field.  As an Engineering Technician, he is responsible for drafting of plats, boundary and topographic surveys, ALTA surveys, construction calculations, design and drafting of engineering plans and construction staking.

He has been involved with a number of projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Various projects for Illinois American Water Company.
  • The Legends Country Club Community, Eureka, MO – Water Infrastructure, Grading, Roadway Design, Storm Water, Sanitary, and Water Infrastructure Design
  • Chaifetz Arena (St. Louis University) St. Louis, MO
  • Montclair Subdivision, St. Charles, MO
  • Premier 370 Business Park, St. Peters, MO
  • North Park Business Park, City of Berkeley, MO
  • Humbert Road Waterline Relocation, Godfrey, IL
  • Lowe’s of Granite City, Granite City, IL
  • City of Grafton – Surveys, maps and construction plans for various projects
  • Wood River Refinery Hydrogen Plant, Wood River, IL
  • Illinois Department of Transportation District 8 – various survey projects in district
  • City of Alton Flood Memorial, Alton, IL
  • Wood River Drainage and Levee District – various projects and surveys

Jason A. Iman – Technician V

Ranken Technical College
AS, Architectural Design and Drafting, 1986

Mr. Iman began his employment with Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc. in June, 1986 as an Engineering Technician I. Under the supervision of the Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors in the firm, his responsibilities have included the design and preparation of plans and construction engineering on various transportation and land development projects on the private, municipal, and state levels.

Some of his duties involved in the civil design discipline include highway and street design, creation of topographic, site grading and subdivision layout plans, storm sewers and retention basins, sanitary sewer extensions and pumping stations/force mains, and water main extensions. In all of these areas, he has been responsible for the generation of construction staking data to be used in the actual building of the projects.

Mr. Iman also has extensive experience in boundary and topographic surveys, preparation of ALTA/ACSM land title survey plats, FEMA Flood Elevation Certifications, subdividing tracts of land for both residential and commercial purposes, roadway right of way and easement plats, and municipal annexation plats. In all instances, he has familiarity in preparing plats that comply with building and zoning ordinances on both the municipal and state levels.

Justin L. Kelly – Technician V

Lewis and Clark Community College
AAS, Drafting/CAD Technology, 1998

  • Confined Space
  • Troxler Hazmat
  • Troxler Nuclear Density Safety Training
  • Paradigm Pipeline Emergency Response and Damage Prevention Training
  • Autodesk Land Desktop/Map3D/Civil 3D
  • Trimble Real Time Kinematics (RTK) GPS
  • ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician
  • IDOT – Documentation of Contract Quantities
  • IDOT – Mixture Aggregate Tech.
  • IDOT – PCC Level I/IDOT/ACI Course
  • IDOT – Bituminous Concrete Density Tester Course
  • IDOT – Geotechnical Field Testing and Inspection

Mr. Kelly started his career shortly after graduating from Lewis and Clark Community College in 1998.  He started with Kinetic Solutions as a GIS Mapping Draftsman before joining Terracon as an Engineering Technician in 2003.  After that he worked for SCI Engineering Inc. before joining SMS  Engineers in June of 2005.  He has worked on a vast majority of engineering and construction projects throughout his career.  He has extensive experience with commercial and residential developments and all aspects of the projects from preliminary planning to the final construction.

Justin has been involved with several projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Illinois American Water Company – Various Topographical Survey Projects, Various Water Main and Sewer Main Installation Inspections, Asset Data Management
  • Village of Brighton, Illinois, Humbert Road Waterline Relocations for FAP 310 Inspection
  • Village of Brighton, Illinois, Illinois Route 111 Waterline Relocation Inspection
  • Village of Godfrey, Illinois, I-255 Sanitary Sewer Relocation Inspection
  • Village of Godfrey, Illinois, North Route 3 Sanitary Sewer Expansion Inspection
  • City of Wood River, Illinois, GIS – Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Water System Maps
  • City of Wood River, Illinois, Whitelaw Avenue Storm Sewer System Inspection
  • City of Alton Sanitary Sewer Separation Projects
  • City of Wood River, Illinois, Jones Water Roadway – Inspection, Density, GPS
  • Pier St. Louis Development – Inspection, Density, GPS
  • Illinois American Water / Village of Brighton / Village of South Roxana / Village of Hartford / Village of Bethalto GIS Projects

Carleson D. Pruitt – Technician V

Lewis and Clark Community College
AAS, Drafting/CAD Technology, 2002

Florissant Valley Community College 
GIS with ArcGIS, Specialized Construction and Surveying Courses

Lewis and Clark Community College
Specialized Web Design Courses

  • NSPS Certified Survey Technician Level IV
  • Autodesk Land Desktop
  • Autodesk Civil 3D 2014
  • Autodesk Map 3D 2014

Carleson has over 20 years experience in the Civil and Survey fields.  As an Engineering Technician and Survey Technician, he is responsible for the Drafting of Plats, Boundary and Topographic Surveys, ALTA Surveys, Construction Calculations, Drafting of Engineering plans and Construction Staking.

Carleson has been involved with several projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Village of Hamel, IL – East Side Sanitary Sewer Extension & Pump Station
  • Various projects for Illinois American Water Company
  • Village of Brighton, IL – South Main Waterline Replacement
  • 270 Commercial Park, Pontoon Beach, IL – Assist Project Manager with grading, roadway, storm water, sanitary, and water infrastructure design
  • Mississippi Lime Co., St. Genevieve, MO – Update Mine Column Plats
  • Madison County, IL – Seiler Road Easement and ROW Plats
  • Village of Godfrey, IL – Crosstown Road
  • Village of East Alton, IL – Main Street, Phase 1 and Phase 2
  • MCSSA #1 – Arlington Heights Subdivision Sanitary Sewer Extension
  • City of Alton, IL – Fosterburg Road, Phase 1 and Phase 2
  • Madison County Highway Dept. – Seiler Road
  • Madison County Highway Dept. – Harris Lane
  • Calhoun County Highway Dept. – County Highway No. 1
  • City of Wood River 6th Street reconstruction
  • City of Alton College Avenue improvements

Jon-Patrick C. Bennett – Technician IV

Lewis and Clark Community College
Associates Degree in Science and Arts

Mr. Bennett has been in the survey field for over 16 years. He has been a survey/party crew chief for 15 years. As a party/crew chief, he is responsible for managing and executing the tasks, equipment, and employees to achieve a finished product including proper field notes, downloading of date, correspondence with survey manager, and fulfilling the task at hand.

He has been involved with a number of projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Numerous American Water topographic surveys and construction layout.
  • Certified underground mine surveying, Mississippi Lime Co., St. Genevieve, Mo – Including topography, construction staking, and profiling.
  • Certified St. Louis Metrolink surveying, Metrolink, Fairview Heights, IL – Installation of waterline east of Metrolink line in French Village.
  • Certified Conoco-Phillips contractor, Conoco-Phillips Refining Co., Wood River, IL – Foundation layout and certification, heavy haul road layout and as-builts, pile certifications.
  • Granite City Lowe’s, Granite City, IL – Layout of sewers, roads, electric services, telephone services, subdivision of property, building and building certification, waterlines, etc.
  • Rock Hill Trails Subdivision, Wood River, IL – Topography and layout of roadways, sewers, utility services, lots, and easements.
  • Madison Sewer District, Mitchell, IL – Topography and as-builts of sanitary sewer replacement.
  • Hazelwood Ford Plant, Hazelwood, MO – ALTA survey of utilities, buildings, outbuildings, parking lots, roadways, boundary, etc.
  • Target Stores, Inc., Edwardsville, IL – Check elevation of finished floor for mine subsidence.
  • ALTA/ACSM surveys in various states including Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
  • Various surveys for IDOT, AMEREN, and AMEC.
  • OSHA 10 Certified – Contracted by IDOT for 2+ years for stakeout, topographic surveys, hydraulic studies & bridge studies

Jim E. Clark – Technician IV

Lewis and Clark Community College
AAS, Drafting/CAD Technology, 2001

Parkland College
Construction Management (emphasis in Surveying)

  • Confined Spaces
  • Mine Safety
  • Refinery – Conoco Phillips

Mr. Clark has 19 years of experience in the survey profession and has been with Sheppard, Morgan and Schwaab, Inc. since September of 2003. As a rodman for four years, he was responsible for working beside the crew chief to complete jobs as efficient as possible. As a Crew Chief, he is responsible for gathering the information for each job that is given to his crew and complete the job in a timely manner.

He has been involved with a number of projects in both Illinois and Missouri including:

  • Topographic surveys and construction layout for numerous American Water projects.
  • Topographic surveys of various streets in Madison and St. Clair Counties.
  • Topographic surveys and centerline layout for various roads for IDOT District 8.
  • Boundary surveys (subdivision and commercial lots, including parcels from 0.5 acres to 500 acres).
  • Boundary / layout for Volkert/Ameren – established boundary for transmission lines in Madison & St. Clair Counties. Also set RFID chips in the Tazewell & McLean Counties.
  • ALTA surveys (Illinois).
  • Construction staking including stakeouts for subdivision lots, utilities, sewers, roads, buildings (commercial, subdivision and private). Road projects include Crosstown Road, Pierce Lane and Stamper Lane (all in Godfrey) and Main Street in Brussels.
  • Elevation certificates / LOMA (Illinois & Missouri).
  • Mine surveying for Mississippi Lime, St. Genevieve, MO.
  • Boundary/layout for Linderlake Corporation/ Prairie Land Power
  • Established boundary and layout of easements for transmission lines in Calhoun, Jersey, Greene and Pike counties.

Christian B. Kline – Technician II

Lewis & Clark Community College
AAS, Architectural Technology, 2017

  • Licensed Part 107 FAA Airman, SUAS Rating
  • IDOT – Documentation of Contract Quantities

Chris A. Sheppard – Technician II 

Florissant Valley Community College
Land Surveying Certificate Program, 2008

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Various Courses

Lewis and Clark Community College
Associates in Science, 2017

  • OSHA Safety Training
  • Troxler Hazmat
  • Troxler Nuclear Density Safety Training
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential
  • ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician
  • IDOT – Mixture Aggregate Technician
  • IDOT – Geotechnical Field Testing and Inspection
  • IDOT – Documentation of Contract Quantities
  • PCC Level 1/IDOT ACI Certificate
  • Bituminous Concrete Tester Course
  • Pavement Construction

Mr. Sheppard works as both a survey crew member as well as a construction inspector.  His duties include construction staking, topographic surveys, GIS data collection and boundary surveys.  He has performed construction inspection for municipal clients and utility owners.  Chris has performed various IAWC inspections for developers participating in the Developer Main Installation program.

Some more detailed project experience is as follows:

IDOT Experience – Mr. Sheppard’s duties for IDOT projects include concrete strength and bituminous density testing on various roadway projects as well as assistance in documentation of materials, concrete reports, and nuclear density reports for a variety of roadway improvement projects.

Construction Inspection – Mr. Sheppard has worked as an inspector on a variety of engineering and construction projects throughout his career. His project experiences include water main replacements and new development construction, storm and sanitary replacements, new development projects, various roadway construction, culvert replacement projects, and GIS data collection for infrastructure projects.

Surveying Projects – Mr. Sheppard’s land surveying experience includes various industrial construction layouts, including Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery Core Project (2002-2006), underground mine surveying, including Mississippi Lime Co. in Alton, IL and St. Genevieve, MO, various boundary and residential lot surveys in the surrounding community, utility surveys and GIS data collection, as well as topographic data collection and flood elevation surveys.

Administrative Team Members

Brandy M. Champlin – Office Manager

Lewis & Clark Community College
A.A.S., Office Technology, 2003

Brandy started her career at SMS in 2002 when she was hired on as the new Administrative Assistant in the Granite City location.  In 2006, she transferred over to the Alton location to assume the Administrative Assistant role there.  Her responsibilities included: answering phones; ordering office supplies; filing; creating new jobs; job closeout; preparing invoices to clients; making deposits; record research; typing letters, reports, specs, IDOT and other various forms; binding specs for bidding purposes; preparing bid tabs; preparing mailings and FedEx shipments; and other various administrative duties.

In May 2020, she was promoted to Office Manager.  Her responsibilities include performing all the financial and office management duties for the company.  This includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, job costing, general ledger, and payroll.  She prepares quarterly tax returns, monitors cash flow and does all the human resource functions including benefits management, employment law, and 401-k administration.  Brandy is also responsible for corporate event planning, and she provides direct administrative support to upper management.

Christina A. Van Doren – Administrative Assistant

Christina has over 30 years of experience in the administrative support field as she began her career at Christian Hospital Northeast in St. Louis in 1990. She gained valuable experience in the construction/engineering industry while working at A.J. Brown, Inc. Construction Services in 1999 and Honeywell International in 2010 prior to becoming an Administrative Assistant at World Wide Technology in Edwardsville in 2019. Her responsibilities included administrative support to management and service/install/sales teams; prepared construction documents; processed payroll; indirect purchasing; I-9 Administrator; assisted with new hires/onboarding process.

In August 2021, she joined the SMS team as the new Administrative Assistant. Her responsibilities include answering phones; ordering office supplies; filing; creating new jobs; job closeout; preparing invoices to clients; making deposits; record research; typing letters, reports, specs, IDOT, and other various forms; binding specs for bidding purposes; preparing bid tabs; preparing mailings and FedEx shipments; and other various administrative duties.