SEH has promoted five employee-owners to leadership roles that strengthen client service, technical expertise, and employee development across key regions and practice areas.
Ariel Christenson, Jen Desrude, Brian Morgan, and Jake Vasa have been named Regional Practice Center Leaders (RPCLs), while Marcy Kottas has been promoted to Organizational Development Director. Together, they will help advance SEH’s commitment to developing people, delivering for clients, and building strong communities.
Since joining SEH in 2016, Ariel Christenson, PE*, has built a strong record as a senior engineer, project manager, and mentor. She guides the firm's structural practice across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, supporting technical excellence, developing engineering talent, and delivering strong client service throughout the region.
With more than 20 years of experience as a project manager and city engineer, Jen Desrude, PE*, brings expertise to the civil practice in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area – one of SEH's largest and longest-established markets. Her leadership of major infrastructure programs and lasting municipal partnerships supports reliable delivery for clients across the region.
Brian Morgan, PE*, has played an important role in expanding SEH's industrial services capabilities. He leads the mechanical/electrical practice across multiple states. During his 18-year career, Brian has played an important role in expanding SEH's industrial services capabilities while fostering team development and cross-practice collaboration to help clients navigate complex projects.
With nearly 20 years of experience in land development and infrastructure design, Jake Vasa, PE*, leads the civil practice across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Having delivered large, complex projects across both the public and private sectors, he focuses on operational consistency, collaboration, and reliable project delivery throughout the region.
Since joining SEH in 2016, Marcy Kottas has led initiatives that strengthen employee development, support organizational change, and foster a culture of learning across the company. As Organizational Director, she leads companywide efforts focused on growth, leadership, and workforce readiness, helping SEH build the people and capabilities needed to support future opportunities.
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH®) is an employee-owned, multidisciplined professional services company with more than 900 engineers, architects, planners, scientists, and dedicated professionals. Founded in 1927, SEH serves public and private clients in the buildings, infrastructure, environmental, transportation, and water markets across the United States and several Canadian provinces. Our employee-owners are personally invested in our clients’ satisfaction and share a common purpose: Building a Better World for All of Us®.
*Professional Licensure:
Ariel Christenson is a registered professional engineer in IN, MN, NC, TX, VA, and WI
Jen Desrude is a registered professional engineer in MN
Brian Morgan is a registered professional engineer in AL, IA, IL, MN, MO, and WI
Jake Vasa is a registered professional engineer in IA, KS, MO, and NE