Meet Our Team
Ram Tirumala
Ram Tirumala, P.E. brings over 36 years of multi-disciplinary experience in civil engineering, with a distinguished career spanning construction management, geotechnical engineering, special inspections, and materials testing. He has successfully directed large-scale engineering projects for governmental agencies, universities, utility companies, and private developers. His leadership encompasses both technical execution and strategic oversight, making him an invaluable asset to complex infrastructure and development initiatives.
Ram’s geotechnical expertise includes the evaluation of subsurface materials, engineering analysis, and the design of foundations including spread footings, piles, caisson foundations, steel bulkheads, seawalls, jet grouting, and slurry walls. He has also led the design and supervision of advanced ground improvement schemes such as vertically draining wicks, deep dynamic compaction, and surcharging to improve the bearing capacity of weak or landfilled soils. His work in non-destructive testing, structural evaluations, and the design of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring systems demonstrates his commitment to technical precision and safety. In addition, he has deep experience in laboratory operations, field testing, and quality control across concrete, steel, soil, and masonry systems, making him a key figure in ensuring construction integrity from concept to completion.
Yazan Yanes
Yazan Yanes, P.E. is a seasoned Civil and Structural Engineer with over 15 years of experience in residential, commercial, and infrastructure development projects. A licensed Professional Engineer, Yazan has led and contributed to the successful delivery of high-rise buildings, transportation systems, and large-scale construction initiatives.
His multidisciplinary expertise spans structural design, construction engineering, and quality assurance, with specialized knowledge in performing and overseeing special inspections across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire safety systems. Yazan’s field experience includes concrete and soil sampling/testing, soil and rock analysis, in-situ testing, nondestructive testing, and heavy construction inspections. His comprehensive project management skills and ability to bridge fieldwork with office oversight have made him a critical asset in ensuring technical precision and regulatory compliance across diverse projects.
Tom Schutzer
Tom Schutzer, P.E. who leads DESI’s team of Qualified Environmental Professionals, is an accomplished Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states with 30 years of multi-disciplinary experience in environmental remediation/compliance, energy and site/civil engineering. He has performed and led projects for clients in all sectors (government, utility, industry, development, non-profit) through various phases of remediation and compliance, including site assessment & investigation, feasibility, permitting, planning, remedial action, closure, and post-closure.
His work has encompassed commercial, industrial, and residential sites with impacted soil and groundwater, vapor intrusion, non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), historic fill, and underground storage tanks (USTs). His environmental compliance experience includes preparation of various plans and permit applications and renewals to comply with local, state and federal requirements for public/worker safety, monitoring of discharges, land use, spill planning, stormwater pollution prevention, and waste disposal.