NorthStar Engineering

Principal Profiles

NorthStar Management

Mark Adams President Registered Professional Civil Engineer, CA (34257), and OR (16322) LEED Accredited Professional

Mark Adams has over 30 years of civil engineering experience. Mark received his Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico in 1979. In 1983 he joined NorthStar Engineering where he has developed substantial experience in building design, structural analysis, storm water runoff analysis, storm drain piping design, sewer design , water system design, specialized onsite wastewater system design, site planning and design, subdivision layout and design, and surveying. Mark is active in the engineering community as well as the local community and is currently on the Board of Directors of the California On-site Wastewater Association, on the Professional Advisory Board at the CSU Chico Department of Civil Engineering, on the Green Technology Advisory Board at Butte Community College, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

 

James Stevens Secretary/Treasurer Registered Professional Land Surveyor, CA (6050) LEED Accredited Professional

James Stevens has over 30 years of experience in land surveying and site development. James received his Bachelors of Science in Philosophy from California State University, Chico in 1982. In 1983 James joined NorthStar Engineering where he has gained extensive knowledge in all aspects of topography and boundary resolution, site planning, drainage and wastewater conveyance systems design, site grading, commercial and residential drainage design, and specializes in development entitlement, surveying, and site development planning. James has been, and is presently extremely active in the local community and the engineering community. James is currently an appointed member of the City of Chico’s General Plan Task Force, Mayor’s Business Council, and Sustainability Task Force, is on the Board of Directors of the Chico Economic Planning Corporation, on the Board of Directors of the City of Chico Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the City of Chico Design Review Committee, and a member of the California Land Surveyors Association.

 

Neil Graber Civil Design Division Manager Vice President Registered Professional Civil Engineer, CA (45194) Affiliations: ASCE (1984 - Present, Treasurer), APWA (1993 - Present), AOPA (1995 - Present), Butte Flying Club (1988 - Present)

Neil Graber has been employed in the civil engineering profession since his graduation from the CSUC Civil engineering program. Neil received a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico in 1984 and obtained his professional license in 1988. He served 6 years with the California Department of Transportation, Districts 1 and 3, before joining NorthStar Engineering in 1990. During his 6 years at Caltrans, Neil developed a strong technical foundation relative to the development of: Plans, Specifications and Estimate’s (PS&E), hydrology, traffic accident studies, contract specifications and estimates and construction inspection. These experiences have led to the successful development of numerous design, feasibility studies and rehabilitation highway projects for state and local agencies. Throughout his employment at NorthStar Engineering Neil has broadened his expertise to include both large and small commercial development projects ranging from to national commercial developer’s including general growth properties to small local businesses such as CR Bean’s drive through coffee. Neil is currently the manager of the Civil Engineering department at NorthStar Engineering. Using skills developed during his career, his responsibilities include; client relationship, staff training and technical development, management and allocation of staff resources, monitoring of contract budget and time schedules, regular review and guidance of project plan development and quality assurance and quality control. Neil is active in the civil engineering community and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Public Works Association. He is also involved in public organizations and clubs including the Boy Scouts of America and the Butte Flying Club.

 

Nick Weigel Water Resources Division Manager Registered Professional Civil Engineer, CA (66282) LEED Accredited Proessional

Nick Weigel has over 15 years of experience in civil engineering. Nick received a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico in 1995. In 2001, Nick joined NorthStar Engineering where he has specialized in the design of decentralized wastewater collection, treatment, and dispersal systems. Nick has extensive knowledge in wastewater flow estimating, field analysis of soils, analytical modeling of nitrogen and salt loading, designing advanced and secondary wastewater treatment systems utilizing recirculating sand/gravel filtration systems, aerobic systems, textile filters, and alternative disposal/reuse options such as drip and spray irrigation. Nick is active in the wastewater community and has taught at the California Wastewater Training and Research Center at CSU Chico, is a certified National Association of Wastewater Transporters instructor for the Onsite Wastewater Systems Inspector certification and Operation and Maintenance certification courses, and is currently teaching multiple courses for the California Onsite Wastewater Association. Nick is also on the Professional Advisory Board for the Department of Civil Engineering, CSU Chico, and is chair of the Butte County Wastewater Advisory Committee.

 

James Herrick Surveying Division Manager Vice President Registered Professional Land Surveyor, CA (5616), NV (9451)

James Herrick has over 30 years of land surveying experience. James joined NorthStar Engineering in 1987 as the primary land surveyor and has specialized in boundary surveying. James has substantial knowledge and experience in the preparation of legal descriptions, control surveys, topographic surveys, ALTA surveys, construction surveys, cadastral surveys, and the land entitlement process for land development. James is well versed in the subdivision map act and state laws concerning land surveying. James is active in the land surveying community, serving as the President of the California Land Surveyors Association in 2008, and has served on the California Land Surveyors Legislative Committee for over 10 years. James has been a member of the California Land Surveyors Association since 1987, is a member of the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the Mount Diablo Historical Society, the Surveyors Historical Society, and is a Director of the California Land Surveyors Education Foundation.

 

Jay Lowe Senior Engineer Registered Professional Engineer, CA (59077) Past President - Valley Contractor's Exchange

Mr. Lowe is a Senior Civil Engineer and partner at NorthStar Engineering.  He has been with NorthStar Engineering since 1995.  Jay has more experience in field surveying than the typical engineer which allows him to fine tune his designs for better constructability and construction staking.  Jay primarily specializes in large subdivisions and small commercial and residential projects in and around the north state area. He has been design engineer on multiple municipal projects.  Jay has also prepared numerous Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for single parcel sites as small as 1 acre to large subdivision including parcels that are adjacent to the Caltrans Right of way. His knowledge of local codes and AutoCAD skills allow him to quickly arrive at the best design.