Salem Engineering Group, Inc.

Sammy is the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Principal Engineer, and founder for Salem Engineering Group, Inc. Mr. Salem's engineering career began in 1988; he performed Professional and Geotechnical engineering for two established California engineering firms before founding Salem Engineering Group, Inc., in 2003. Throughout Mr. Salem's career as a practicing engineer, he has personally performed geotechnical field sampling, geotechnical soils laboratory testing, construction inspections including compaction testing and concrete sampling, and construction materials testing including hand-pounding laboratory compaction curves and compressive strength testing of concrete, grout, and mortar cylinders. Based at our corporate office location in Fresno, California, his unique hands-on personal experience allows him to effectively manage all departments across all SALEM offices to provide the most cost-conscious service possible for every client.

Serves as a Senior Managing Engineer in our Fresno office. Mr. Myers began his engineering career in 1988 for the same established California engineering firm as Mr. Salem, although they worked in different office locations. Ten years later, Mr. Myers moved to more specialized work for the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Department of Water Resources in Fresno, California. Mr. Myers joined Salem Engineering Group, Inc. in 2007, and personally oversees highly technical projects, including Fault Studies and design of construction methods with a geological element. He also assists our Environmental Engineering Division with Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.

Clarence Jiang, MS, PE, GE, began his professional engineering career in 1988 in Irvine, California. He managed Geotechnical Engineering projects for industrial plants, school and hospital sites, wastewater treatment plants, bridges and culverts, sewer lines, stadiums, embankments, service stations, commercial developments, industrial facilities, and landfills. Mr. Jiang is experienced in a broad range of engineering applications such as shallow and deep foundation investigation, slope stability, pavement design, liquefaction potential, ground improvement, soil suitability and availability assessment, soil-cement treatment, soil-lime stabilization, erosion control, landfill construction, septic system design, and field and laboratory soil testing. Mr. Jiang joined SALEM as a Senior Geotechnical Managing Engineer and helped launch our Rancho Cucamonga office in 2007.

David C. Wright co-founded Salem Engineering Group, Inc., with Mr. Salem in 2003 and acts as Field Personnel Supervisor. He began working for an established California engineering firm in 1988 as a Special Inspector, where he first met and forged a lasting personal friendship with Mr. Salem. Mr. Wright is a highly qualified field supervisor, holding certifications from American Concrete Institute, International Code Council, and CalTrans, as well as providing direct supervision of all geotechnical drilling activities for SALEM.

Joshua S. Rhodes, PE, graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Fresno and quickly began his engineering career with an established California engineering firm in 2005. He quickly rose to upper management, managing the Construction Inspection and Materials Testing Division at his previous employer's Fresno office location. Mr. Rhodes joined SALEM in 2008, and is responsible for managing Special Inspectors and testing laboratory personnel; overseeing testing procedures; maintaining client relations; providing technical review of inspection reports, mix designs, and Requests For Information on a variety of projects; and, ensuring conscientious cost management throughout the life of a project. His experience includes California State Department of Housing and Urban Development product verification testing and development of several Quality Control (QC) plans for various State and Federal Public Works projects where he also acted as QC Supervisor.

Richard P. Opp, JD, CHMM, REA, joined SALEM in 2007 as our Regional Environmental Division Manager and helped launch our Rancho Cucamonga office. Mr. Opp has worked as an Environmental Consultant for several established and respected engineering firms since he started his career in 1988. Also a California-certified Asbestos Consultant, Mr. Opp's responsibilities include conducting and managing asbestos and environmental investigations for various types of real estate transactions, and interfacing with regulatory agencies, lenders, and clients. He and his Environmental Project Manager, Maria G. Ruvalcaba, REA, conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, lead-based paint surveys, and asbestos containing materials surveys for industrial, commercial, and multi-unit residential properties in California and Nevada.

W. Todd Polvado, PE, serves as a Senior Managing Engineer and Forensic Engineering Manager in our Fresno office. Mr. Polvado's engineering career exceeds 20 years, beginning with an established California engineering firm in 1986. He gained field inspection experience and certifications while managing the Construction Inspections & Materials Testing Division for his previous employers before managing the Construction Inspections & Materials Testing Division at the time of its founding in 2003. Mr. Polvado holds certifications from the American Welding Society, International Code Council, American Construction Inspectors Association, and is a Radiation Safety Officer. Presently, Mr. Polvado heads the Forensic Engineering Division and personally oversees evaluation of numerous forensic and structural engineering projects, including damaged cause and effect, structural evaluation due to pipe damage, strength evaluation of historical buildings, and the evaluation of structural integrity.