Catherine Ellis

With more than 30 years of geotechnical engineering experience, Catherine Ellis delivers practical, risk-conscious solutions for complex projects. She is highly skilled at bringing together owners, designers, and contractors to develop engineering approaches that align with project goals, budgets, schedules, and construction constraints. As a Geotechnical Engineer, Catherine combines technical expertise, sound engineering judgment, and clear communication to help project teams successfully navigate challenging subsurface conditions.

Catherine has extensive experience evaluating and mitigating geotechnical hazards associated with faulting, soft marine deposits, undocumented fill, high groundwater conditions, and complex bedrock transitions. Her project portfolio spans commercial, higher education, industrial, mining, utility, transportation, military, and public infrastructure sectors, where she has provided geotechnical investigations, design recommendations, construction support, and risk management services.

Her additional technical expertise includes seismic hazard and liquefaction evaluations, deep and shallow foundations, ground improvement, excavation support systems, retaining structures, dewatering, and slope stability. Catherine is recognized for developing cost-effective, constructible solutions that support successful project delivery while maintaining a strong focus on safety, performance, and long-term reliability.

EDUCATION

• MBA, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, California, 2008
• MS, Civil Engineering, California State University, San José, 2000
• BS, Civil Engineering, University of the Pacific, Stockton, 1995

LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

• Professional Engineer (Civil), California, Oregon, Washington
• Professional Engineer (Geotechnical), California

AFFILIATIONS

• DBIA
• APWA