Mission

Our product is progress. At JDS Consulting, progress is the way we do business. Progress represents the rapid and streamlined manner in which we move clients from initial request to final delivery. And progress represents the infrastructure improvements we make by delivering innovative yet practical solutions for every step of the lifecycle. We measure progress by the value we bring to your investments, the reputation we build for excellence, and the lives we improve by creating safe, sustainable and fulfilling spaces where people live, work, travel and play.

Leadership

Eli B. Smith, PE

Principal

Robb Murray

Principal

Chase Teal, PE

Chief Operating Officer

Kane W. Hamer

Chief Administrative Officer

William Scudder

Director of Design, Drafting and Engineering (DDE)

Mark Hudson, PE

Director of Field Engineering

Keith Beisner

Director of Energy Services

Brian Weston

Director of Construction Services

Lisa Owens

Director of Human Resources

Tiger Stellings

Director of Business Development

David Tookey

Director of Information Technology

Ed Aguirre, PG

Environmental Services Manager

Beyond limits

As a business that provided structural field investigations and engineering design services in its early years to several clients in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, JDS Consulting has since developed into a multidisciplinary practice with more than 90 employees serving government, industrial, commercial and residential clients throughout the United States.

Although the company has grown larger, we remain dedicated to the same core values upon which JDS Consulting was founded: customer service, communication and quality. These values are the reason clients continue to choose us as their trusted engineering, design and energy partner. Our business culture, technology and processes are centered around thorough understanding, rapid response, instant information access, constant support for clients, and highly qualified personnel who are dedicated to finding solutions that deliver the highest value.

Eli B. Smith, PE

Principal

Involved in the construction industry since 2000, Elijah Smith founded JDS Consulting in 2008 as a one-person drafting and design firm operating out of his home in North Carolina. Since then, Eli has worked on estimating, design and engineering for tens of thousands of projects, and, together with Principal Robert Murray, has expanded JDS Consulting into a multidisciplinary engineering company, headquartered in Raleigh, and employing more than 90 team members, who serve clients throughout the United States. Eli’s entrepreneurial spirit, extensive experience in complex project management, and dedication to the success of his clients and employees continues to guide the company. As Eli oversees the company’s growth, operations and development, his focus remains on the top priorities of customer service and a strong work ethic, which were the values of Eli’s late father and the company’s namesake, James Douglas Smith.

Robb Murray

Principal

From blueprint runner to company principal, Robert Murray’s diverse background spans more than 30 years in the field of engineering and design. Robb has worked in a multitude of areas in the building industry and brings a unique set of skills to the leadership team. What began as a job drafting designs by hand quickly grew into an opportunity for Robb to take the lead on a major, 25,000-square-foot residential project at the forefront of the computer-aided design revolution. Robb further honed his expertise through years of on-the-ground experience working as a field technician with builders to identify and correct problems. He has an aptitude for value engineering and enjoys figuring out the perfect solutions to address clients’ needs and budgets. Serving in various roles, from manager to department director to principal, Robb has the ability to see any project from multiple perspectives.

Chase Teal, PE

Chief Operating Officer

Chase Teal earned his bachelor’s degree in structural engineering from North Carolina State University after serving in the U.S. Army as an infantry sergeant. He joined JDS Consulting in 2018 after working as an engineer in both the building and telecommunications industries. He is a decisive leader and innovative problem solver who works closely with teams to accomplish new feats in engineering and business. Chase applies his extensive experience, leadership abilities and expertise to overseeing the company’s operations, including the engineering team, field services and laboratory services. He helps to ensure that all JDS Consulting deliverables uphold the highest standards for quality assurance and safety while also being constructable and cost-effective. Chase frequently works one-on-one with engineers and technicians to help them advance their understanding, and to guide them in developing leading-edge solutions. His commitment to continued growth in engineering knowledge and skills elevates JDS Consulting as a leading provider of services for the building industry.

Kane W. Hamer

Chief Administrative Officer

Kane Hamer is a highly proficient, results-driven accounting and financial leader who has been with JDS Consulting since 2012. He is a strategic thought partner for the company and works closely with other senior leadership in development and execution of financial goals and key operational directives. Kane has more than fifteen years of experience in financial management and operations across a diverse lineup of industries, including retail, multi-location restaurant groups, professional services and construction. He has achieved substantial success with start-up, mid-size and global organizations. His background, extensive management skills and implementation of best practices guide the JDS Consulting Finance Department.

William Scudder

Director of Design, Drafting and Engineering (DDE)

William Scudder has more than 30 years of experience in residential development, construction, and engineering and design. He joined JDS Consulting in 2012 after owning and leading two successful design firms, and he brings a wealth of professional experience and technical expertise to his role. As director, William is responsible for overseeing his division’s workflow and design process. He is an effective leader and problem solver who works hands-on with his staff to provide support in investigations, evaluation of building codes, in-depth analysis, construction feasibility, and final engineering reviews for all designs. He ensures that all solutions produced by his team demonstrate the consistency and high standards of JDS Consulting.

Mark Hudson, PE

Director of Field Engineering

Mark Hudson has more than 20 years of construction experience in both commercial and residential construction, and he is currently the director of the Field Engineering Department. Mark served in residential construction for more than ten years, and he has an extensive background in both construction and engineering. As part of his leadership responsibilities, he supervises the field team of engineering technicians and engineers, who provide inspections and cost-effective solutions for clients to keep their projects moving forward. Mark is responsible for the quality, success, development and growth of the field engineering group in the Raleigh and Charlotte regions.

Keith Beisner

Director of Energy Services

Keith Beisner has more than ten years of leadership in field services support specific to the solar industry, including gigawatts of experience in solar foundation testing and design, mechanical construction, and site management across commercial- and utility-scale projects throughout North America. Keith helped develop industry standards in on-site foundation testing, interpretation of site conditions for practical system design, and construction best practices for solar installations.

Brian Weston

Director of Construction Services

Brian Weston joined JDS in 2016, when the company first formed its Construction Materials Testing (CMT) laboratory. Since then, he has proven instrumental in building the department’s reputation for quality and timely work, both in the field and in the lab. Brian was a key figure in developing the CMT lab into the full-fledged Construction Services (CS) department that is today. He is known for the dynamics of his client relationships, his positive outlook, and his dedication to the company’s mission and goals. Brian finds satisfaction in enabling clients to advance their vision from plan to completion and in a job well done. He directs the CS department’s staff of field technicians and managers, and coordinating laboratory, CMT, geotechnical engineering and construction services. He directs CS operations and ensures that technicians follow best practices and company procedures.

Lisa Owens

Director of Human Resources

Lisa Owens oversees Human Resources management and department operations, working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer to continually develop and support the overall human resources (HR) strategy. Lisa supervises the HR departmental budget, helps to ensure compliance with HR laws and regulations, implements payroll and policies for the workforce, and oversees employee recruitment, onboarding and training. She has contributed her extensive background of more than 25 years of expertise and experience in business management to creating a diverse, inclusive, positive and engaging work environment. Lisa is known for her communication and relationship-building skills, supportiveness of employees’ goals and career paths, strong ethics, organizational abilities and contributions to the overall culture of JDS.

Tiger Stellings

Director of Business Development

Tiger Stellings works collaboratively with other JDS Consulting departments and employees in identifying and developing business opportunities within existing and new markets. As a part of his role, he leads the company toward continuous business growth and sales generation. He joined the company in 2012 after a diverse background in management, network administration, sales and logistics. He is recognized by the company’s leadership for being an example of JDS Consulting values for his work ethic, leadership abilities and communication skills. Tiger’s professionalism and expertise align perfectly with the vision of JDS Consulting as a leader in engineering practices.

David Tookey

Director of Information Technology

David Tookey showed an interest in computers from an early age, programming and building them himself since elementary school. When he joined JDS Consulting in 2012, he took on a variety of roles, ranging from field inspections to retaining wall design, but he eventually combined his experience with his passion for technology. After having led systems development and operations for the company, David became the Director of IT. In addition to overseeing the team responsible for systems administration and maintenance, he has developed custom, in-house applications for JDS Consulting that enable instant information access, collaboration and project management. By leveraging the power of task automation and cloud computing, David has enabled the company to ease communication, increase efficiency and reduce the time it takes to manage projects.

Ed Aguirre, PG

Environmental Services Manager

Edward Aguirre oversees environmental services, leading technical field personnel and overseeing projects that involve geological investigations, site evaluations and assessments of environmental conditions, including Phase I and Phase II assessments of commercial real estate properties. Ed is also the president, principal geologist and senior environmental scientist of a successful geologic consulting firm that he founded in 1997. His experience includes vice president, director and geologist for private engineering firms and the public sector. He has provided services throughout the U.S. with a focus on petroleum impact.