B&N Elects New Associate Owners
B&N is pleased to announce the election of nine new Associate Owners, effective January 2026. Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on this achievement.
Drew Appler, PE | Jacksonville, FL
Drew is B&N’s Florida Structures Design and Bridge Inspection Section Director. He joined the firm in 2020 and has more than 17 years of expertise in structural engineering, bridge inspection, bridge rehabilitation and emergency management response. While at B&N, Drew has provided inspection services for a wide range of bridges and structures on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contracts, using his extensive knowledge of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), FDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards. He attended the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Michelle Casale | Tampa, FL
As Marketing Manager for B&N’s Southeast Region, Michelle has been instrumental in growing the firm’s presence across Florida and Georgia. With more than 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry, she excels at building client relationships and leading strategic pursuits. Michelle has had a pivotal role in collaborating with technical staff and contracting partners to secure major design-build pursuits across Florida, contributing to the firm’s ongoing success in this growing market. Her collaborative approach, leadership and mentorship have strengthened B&N’s brand and culture. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.
Erin Grushon, AICP | Columbus, OH
Erin joined B&N in 2019 and is currently the Transportation Planning Section Director in Columbus. As an AICP-certified planner with over 15 years of experience, she develops transportation plans and studies for local, regional and state clients. Her expertise in stakeholder and public engagement allows her to build targeted strategies and facilitate productive public meetings and workshops. Erin excels at communicating complex concepts in an accessible way, engaging the community and fostering consensus in the planning process. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University.
Brenton Hasenour, PE | Evansville, IN
Brenton currently serves as the Section Director of Water/Wastewater in Evansville. He joined B&N in 2020 and has over 20 years of expertise in wastewater collection system design, hydraulic modeling and long-term utility planning. Brenton excels at developing master plans, calibrating sewer models and designing solutions that improve system reliability and efficiency. His dedication to helping clients solve complex sewer challenges and advance capital improvement projects distinguishes him as a trusted leader in the field. Brenton attended the University of Evansville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Randy Kill, PE, PTOE | Columbus, OH
Randy joined B&N in 1997 and currently leads the Traffic Section in Columbus. He is one of B&N’s most experienced traffic engineers, with expertise that encompasses safety analysis, ITS design, MOT, traffic forecasting, traffic studies and capacity analysis, intersection analysis, microsimulation and traffic signal system design. In addition, he is certified by the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) Traffic Academy and developed the ODOT Analysis and Traffic Simulation (OATS) Manual. Randy attended The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Chad Kohler, AIA, NCARB | Cincinnati, OH
Chad Kohler is the Architectural Practice Leader in Cincinnati, with over 20 years of experience and a decade with B&N. Chad excels in guiding complex, multi-phased design projects across federal and private sectors. He provides expert program management, quality control and technical leadership, with a strong background in LEED-certified architecture and construction administration. Chad holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Architecture from Boston Architectural College.
Monica Lowry, AIA, NCARB | Cincinnati, OH
Monica joined B&N in 2021 and is currently the Cincinnati Architecture Section Director. With over 19 years of experience in the architecture and construction industry, Monica excels as an architecture discipline leader, managing complex projects across a range of market sectors—from healthcare and military facilities to commercial and infrastructure developments. Her strengths include client engagement, comprehensive project management and the ability to balance big-picture strategy with meticulous attention to detail. Monica holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky.
Duane Phelps, PE | Cincinnati, OH
Duane joined B&N in 2023 and is the Roadway Section Director in Cincinnati. He has more than 35 years of industry experience managing some of the most significant transportation projects in the United States, including interstates, light rail, high-speed rail and local transit facilities. As a recognized leader in project delivery, risk management, QA/QC analysis and stakeholder engagement, Duane skillfully guides project teams through all phases of design, construction and maintenance. Duane attended the University of Cincinnati where he earned a degree in Architectural Engineering Technology.
JT Smith, PE | Richmond, VA
JT serves as B&N’s MEP Section Director in Richmond, where he has been pivotal in expanding both our personnel and client base since joining the firm in 2022. His technical expertise, proactive problem-solving and strategic thinking have been crucial in developing client-focused solutions that secure project awards. He specializes in mechanical design for higher education, K12 and government clients with a background that includes project management and preconstruction estimating for design-build and design-bid-build projects. JT holds a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.