Key Personnel

MS, Geotechnical Engineering, Oregon State University
BS, Civil Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
Professional Engineer: Washington, Oregon, Alaska

Mr. Hong has 36 years of geotechnical engineering experience in the Northwest. His primary areas of expertise are slope stability/landslide remediation, deep foundations and pavement engineering. His practical experience includes geotechnical investigations and analyses, and construction consultation for buildings, wastewater treatment facilities, large sewer/water lines, landfills, airports, bridges, and waterfront structures projects. Sa founded HWA from the basement of his home in 1978. Since then he has dedicated the past 30 years to the firm's growth and development. To his staff, he is a constant source of knowledge, compassion, and humor.

MS, Civil Engineering, University of Illinois
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Illinois
Professional Engineer: Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Illinois

Mr. Boirum has 35 years of geotechnical consulting experience in the Pacific Northwest. Through the years, he has acquired well-rounded experience working on more than 5000 geotechnical engineering projects ranging from small commercial and residential developments to large transportation projects and heavy industrial plants. These projects have included field explorations, design studies, contract drawings, and specifications. He uses his knowledge in positive ways by mentoring our younger staff and teaching classes at the University of Washington.  Ralph is a hands-on engineer who not only manages many of our larger, complex projects but likes to get down and dirty out in the field advising junior staff.

MS, Civil Engineering (Geotechnical), University of Alberta
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Alberta
Professional Engineer: Washington, Montana, British Columbia, Alberta

During Mr. Balanko’s 40 years of geotechnical engineering experience, rural and urban transportation projects have formed a major part of his consulting endeavors and have included rapid transit, railway, highways and urban arterial, collector and residential street systems. He has also worked extensively on other municipal infrastructure development, including water and sewer projects, pipelines, solid waste projects, and slope stability assessment and stabilization works. Numerous projects have also involved water resources, including both ground and surface water management and control. He acquired his first exposure to soils, rock and permafrost characteristics while acting as site engineer during construction of an airport in northern Alberta, Canada. At that time, he was still an undergraduate and developed an immediate fascination for geotechnical engineering; fashioning his continuing studies to soil mechanics and engineering geology pursuits. He also has a great love of the outdoors and frequently spends his non-engineering time hunting and fishing.

PhD, Geotechnical Engineering and Transportation Materials, University of Illinois
MS, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, University of Washington
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Washington
Professional Engineer: Washington, Alaska

Dr. Kinney has 39 years of academic and consulting experience in the field of geotechnical engineering. Dr Kinney’s PhD thesis is on the use of geosynthetics to stabilize bases and subgrades in roads and he has done research, consulting and professional society work in this field. Dr. Kinney also has extensive experience with landslide analysis and repair. Exploration has included borings, test pits, and geophysics. Stabilization structures have included soldier pile and lagging walls, tieback walls, geosynthetic walls, MSE walls, gabions, buttresses and crib walls. Tom is an informal guy with a hearty laugh and incredible energy. He can analyze anything, usually a half-dozen different ways, and he is constantly showing those around him how to be better engineers. He is a natural teacher and a mentor to everyone around him.

MS, Geology, University of Pennsylvania
BS, Geology, Honors (course equivalent), University of Pennsylvania
BS, Biology, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania
Licensed Geologist: Washington, Idaho, California
Licensed Hydrogeologist: Washington

Mr. Sugar has 24 years of experience in geology, hydrogeology, environmental consulting and remediation. Mr. Sugar manages the geoenvironmental group at HWA, performing and overseeing a wide array of geoscience projects. He designs and conducts environmental site assessments, from Phase I site assessments to site specific ground water and soil investigations; and has worked with a variety of contaminants, media and investigative techniques, and designs site assessment to match these site specific variables. Mr. Sugar performs analysis of aquifers and hydrogeologic conditions for ground water supply, infiltration, and construction dewatering projects through pumping tests, aquifer analysis, geophysical reconnaissance, analytical and numerical modeling. Arnie is quiet but articulate, and when it comes to environmental and regulatory issues he really knows his stuff. He’s a runner and a moderate environmentalist, yet drives a Moto Guzzi (the Italian version of a Harley).

MS, Geology, University of Idaho
BA, Geology, University of the Pacific
BS, Business Administration, University of the Pacific
Licensed Geologist: Washington; Licensed Engineering Geologist: Washington

Mr. Greene has a masters degree in geology and 28 years of experience as an economic geologist/engineering geologist. Solid waste handling (transfer stations) and storage facilities (landfills), and borrow source material evaluation projects have formed a major part of his consulting endeavors. He has also conducted geologic investigations and evaluations for a wide range of projects including highway improvements, urban infrastructure, dams, landslides and buildings. Steve first became intrigued with geology as a youngster when he was dragged (kicking and screaming at first) along on rock-hound field trips with his dad in northern California. Later, while working toward his degree in business administration at the University of the Pacific, he took physical geology as a science elective, and was hooked. Now the consummate geologist, Steve’s office is full of geologic maps, reports, rocks and bags of soil, each with its own legacy, and he can explain them all.

MS, Civil Engineering, University of Washington
BS, Civil Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Professional Engineer: Washington

Mr. Andersen has 12 years of experience in geotechnical engineering in the Pacific Northwest. He has provided project management, engineering, and construction inspections for in excess of 500 public, commercial, and residential projects. He has worked extensively on municipal infrastructure development, including buildings, bridges, roadways, water and sewer stations, pipelines, waterfront structures, and slope stability assessment and stabilization assignments. Coming from an engineering background, he is always eager to sink his teeth into a new engineering challenge. However, when Erik is not actively engaged in engineering, he is an accomplished cabinetmaker, snowboarder and cyclist, frequently doing rides exceeding 200 miles.