INDUSTRY LEADERS

"It shows that you can come up with a design that does what you want to do but at the same time it can be an artform, it can be a landmark" - Mike Khavari (ASEC’s founder on the Mickey Mouse Transmission Structure)

At ASEC Engineers, innovation is more than just a buzzword - it's a core value that drives everything we do. We believe that innovation is essential to staying ahead in our industry, and it's what sets us apart from the competition.

One of the things we're most proud of is our willingness to take on projects that others would turn down. We're not afraid to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to even the toughest challenges. We believe that every problem has a solution - it just takes a bit of ingenuity to find it.

But innovation isn't just about problem-solving. It's also about pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. That's why we're actively involved in industry technical committees and constantly seeking out new technologies and processes that can help us deliver better results for our clients.

When our clients say "wow we never thought about it like that," it means we've succeeded in bringing a fresh perspective to their project and offering them something truly unique. It's these moments of inspiration that keep us motivated and remind us why we do what we do.

ASEC provides valuable expertise in all design aspects required for power delivery projects. This ability is enhanced by the fact that ASEC’s Subject Matter Experts serve on and chair many technical committees that publish the Manuals of Practice and Standards for our industry. We are passionate about serving our customers with professionalism while staying focused on quality, cost effectiveness, and consistency.

ASEC is proud to provide the latest industry knowledge and techniques by having at least one ASEC employee on each of the following industry committees (either in the past or are serving currently):

• Design of Latticed Steel Transmission Structures: ASCE Standard 10
• Design of Guyed Electrical Transmission Structures: ASCE Manual of Practice No. 91
• Aesthetic Design of Transmission Line Structures: ASCE Committee Report
• Electrical Transmission Line Structural Loading: ASCE Manual of Practice No. 74
• Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures: ASCE Standard 48
• NESC-2007 Subcommittee 5, Overhead Lines Strength and Loading
• IEEE 693-2005, Recommended Practice for Seismic Design of Substations
• Substation Structures Design Guide: ASCE Manual of Practice No. 113
• IEEE P2954, Recommended Practice for Design of Overhead Transmission Lines

Quality and Continuous Process Improvement

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” - William A. Foster

We believe that quality is the foundation of everything we do, and it's what sets us apart from the competition.

From the very beginning, we've made quality our highest priority. We've developed a quality control plan that was specifically designed for our work in the power delivery industry, and we've implemented rigorous quality control measures at every stage of the process. We believe that every detail matters, and we're committed to getting it right the first time, every time.

But we don't just talk the talk - we walk the walk. We're proud to be ISO 9001 certified, which means we're committed to continuous process improvement and always looking for ways to improve our processes and ensure that we're delivering the best results for our clients.

We understand that quality is about more than just meeting specifications and checking boxes. It's about exceeding expectations and going above and beyond to deliver exceptional results. That's why we hold ourselves to the highest standards and strive for perfection in everything we do.

Continuous Process Improvement

ASEC is an ISO 9001 Certified company and understands the importance of continuous process improvements. ASEC’s commitment to continuous process improvements results in effectiveness and efficiency in how we operate and perform work for our clients, ultimately providing SDG&E with high-quality deliverables at lower costs. ASEC’s process is simple:

1. Identify areas that require change
2. Implement change to the identified areas and confirm with tracked data that there are improvements
3. Scale up the successful changes and apply them in other areas within our process

Workplace Safety

“Concern for man himself and his safety must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.” - Albert Einstein

At ASEC, workplace safety is not just a slogan or a poster in the breakroom. It is a core value that we embody at all levels of our organization. We believe that safety is not just a set of rules, but a way of life.

We recognize that safety is not just about compliance with regulations and standards, but about a mindset that prioritizes the well-being of our employees, partners, and stakeholders. It means that we ask the tough questions, and we are not afraid to look critically at ourselves and our partners to identify potential risks and hazards.

We understand that safety is a shared responsibility, and we foster a culture where everyone is encouraged to speak up if they see something that could compromise safety. We recognize that safety is not just the responsibility of the safety department, but it is the responsibility of everyone in the organization.

At ASEC, we believe that doing our work safely is not just a good practice, but it is essential to our success. We believe that we must strive for excellence in everything we do, and that includes maintaining a safe workplace.

We are committed to fostering a culture of safety that permeates every aspect of our organization. We believe that safety is not just a set of rules, but a way of life, and we are dedicated to doing our work safely or not at all. We are proud of our commitment to safety, and we hope to inspire others to prioritize safety in their workplaces as well.

Diversity and Supplier Diversity

“The more diverse your team members are from one another, the better decisions they’ll make on behalf of your company.” - Michelle Obama

At ASEC, we recognize that our strength lies in our diversity. As a minority and woman-owned business, we have experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come from embracing our differences. We understand that each of our unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences contribute to a more innovative, creative, and dynamic organization. This, in turn, enables us to deliver better products and services to our clients in the power industry.

Our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity not only empowers each individual to reach their full potential, but also equips us with the ability to provide unique and valuable insights to the problems the power industry faces today. By nurturing a diverse workforce, we are able to approach these challenges from multiple angles, ensuring that our solutions are well-rounded and effective.

The power industry is ever-evolving, and the need for innovative, sustainable, and efficient solutions has never been greater. ASEC's diverse team of experts is equipped to tackle these complex issues head-on, offering unparalleled expertise and a genuine understanding of the nuances that come with each unique challenge.

Our differences, when brought together in harmony, enable us to forge a more resilient and adaptable organization. They challenge us to think outside the box, inspire us to grow, and drive us to reach new heights. As a result, we are able to deliver exceptional products and services that not only meet, but exceed the expectations of our clients.

At ASEC, we are proud to celebrate our diversity and the ways in which it enriches our organization. By working together and embracing our distinct perspectives and experiences, we are confident in our ability to make a lasting, positive impact on the power industry and the world as a whole.

ASEC understands SDG&E’s commitment to supplier diversity because we have directly seen the opportunity it has created for our company and others like us to succeed while working amongst larger firms. As a Tier 1 Supplier and proud Woman/Minority Owned Business Enterprise, we support the initiatives of SDG&E’s Supplier Diversity Program by providing competitive rates, performing work safely, and contributing to a robust regional economy. Beyond our mutual commitment to diversity, there are many other reasons ASEC is excited to be one of SDG&E’s contributing business partners for the future.

Registered Small/Diverse Business Enterprise

Supplier Diversity

Being a certified WMBE company, ASEC will enhance SDG&E’s supplier diversity commitments and initiatives by providing a 100% diverse workforce, even when selecting subcontracting business partners. We are also committed to submitting monthly supplier diversity participation reports, in accordance with client and public utility commission requirements.

Customer Trust and Satisfaction

“It’s a real pleasure to earn the trust of your customers slowly over time by doing what’s right.” – Charlie Munger

As one of the fastest-growing engineering firms in the United States, we are proud to say that our growth is primarily fueled by the deep trust and satisfaction of our existing clients, who continually choose to engage with us in new and meaningful ways.

Our focus on delivering exceptional solutions that offer significant return on investment (ROI) for our clients has been the cornerstone of our approach since day one. We believe that by truly understanding our clients' needs, we can design and implement tailored solutions that not only meet, but exceed their expectations.

Our dedicated team of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers work tirelessly to ensure that every project we undertake is approached with meticulous care and attention to detail. This unwavering commitment to excellence has earned us a reputation for delivering results that not only stand the test of time, but also create lasting value for our clients.

At ASEC, we understand the importance of nurturing strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and trust in our capabilities, and we are committed to continuing to exceed their expectations as we forge ahead on this exciting journey together.

As we celebrate our success and growth, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our customer-centric culture, which has been the key to unlocking our potential as a leading engineering firm. It is our genuine passion for our clients' success and our relentless pursuit of innovation that inspires us to continue growing, learning, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Mike Khavari has 40 years of experience in the design and analysis of new and existing lattice and tubular steel structures. Mr. Khavari has been involved with research and full-scale testing of various types of steel transmission structures.

He serves on the following ASCE Manual and Standard Committees: Design of Latticed Steel Transmission Structures: ASCE Standard 10-97, Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures: ASCE Standard 48-11, Substation Structures Design Guide: ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 113, Design of Guyed Electrical Transmission Structures: ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 91.

In 1991, Mr. Khavari started, ASEC Inc., an engineering consulting company specializing in the design and analysis of various types of transmission, communication and substation structures. In 1993, he started the North American Pole Corporation (NAPCO), a tubular steel manufacturing facility from the ground up. NAPCO is a manufacturer of tubular steel structures. An iconic structure manufactured by NAPCO is the famous mouse head steel tower located at the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Katherine Khavari has worked in the power delivery industry for over 25 years. During this period Ms. Khavari has assisted project managers in various ongoing projects, monitored budgets, timelines, accounting and banking matters as well as business development.

As the CEO, she is responsible for all financial matters, as well as business development for the company. She works with the President to execute the Board’s directives as well as working with client’s procurement departments to acquire master service agreements. In general she is responsible for the overall health and function of the company.

Landon Schulze has worked exclusively in the power delivery industry performing detailed structural design of transmission lines, distribution lines, and transmission & substation structures. Mr. Schulze’s early experience was as a consultant performing detailed EPC projects.

Mr. Schulze continued his experience serving utilities and leading project execution work on large EPC style 345kV double circuit lattice tower design projects.

In 2017, Mr. Schulze joined ASEC as a project manager and moved on to become President of ASEC Inc leading the company in program and project management, business development, internal employee professional development, and budget and goal setting for the company.

He is an expert in Transmission Line Routing & Design, Foundation Design, Structure Design, Conductor Analysis, and Geotechnical Report Analysis. He is also skilled in the creation of Proposal & Construction Work Scope Packages, Creation of Standards & Work Procedures. He has lead professional trainings and served as an Owner’s Engineer on work for large investor owned utilities.

Gokul Narayanan is an experienced transmission and distribution line engineer with 15 years of design experience in the power delivery industry, including experience in program management for multiple clients across the country.

Not only has he produced entire engineering and construction packages for various lines ranging from 15kV to 345kV, but also has experience with construction management, inspections, and with working alongside EPC teams.

He has mentored various engineers during his tenure who are now successful transmission line engineers and leaders in the field.

Mr. Deshmukh has extensive experience in analysis and design of lattice transmission towers. He has successfully designed and tested several lattice transmission towers including the world’s first double circuit guyed Y structure.

He has performed work for several major utilities including SDC&E, PG&E, SCE, Oncor, Ameren and CenterPoint Energy. He has extensive knowledge of lattice tower manufacturing processes and full-scale tower testing.

Mr. Deshmukh is experienced in GO95, ASCE, and NESC safety codes and is competent in several software programs including PLS-CADD, TOWER, SAP2000, STAAD Pro, AutoCAD, 3D AutoCAD, MATLAB and MS Project.

He is an expert in nonlinear finite element modeling and analysis of extra high voltage transmission structures including lattice steel and steel pole structures, and design of foundations for transmission lines and substations.

Patrick Harkin is the Director of Engineering at ASEC Engineers. His expertise is related to the Civil and Structural aspects of Transmission Line Engineering and managing technical teams. His approach to managing technical teams is driven by his passion for learning, communication, and process driven work. He brings 14+ years of Civil Structural Engineering experience from both the Power Delivery Industry and Oil & Gas Industry. His diverse background brings a unique outlook on problem solving and innovation to his work.

Patrick has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where his research focused on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). He currently holds multiple state Professional Engineering Licenses, an Illinois Structural Engineering License, and his Professional Civil Engineering License in the State of California. Currently, he is increasing his involvement as a member of ASCE in the in Industry through participation on professional committees and publishing white papers. In addition to his own technical involvement and pursuits, Patrick continually pushes technical members of his team to pursue their Engineer-In-Training, EIT, and eventually to become a Professional Engineer, PE. This pursuit helps the company with conducting work and growing a reputation as a respected technical institution. Also, it is the final piece of the puzzle for the individual, endowing them not only with the responsibility of public safety and welfare, but also a new level of respect from their peers.

Patrick is co-author on "Capacity of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Beams and Lintels as Governed by Bond and Anchorage", is a recipient of the J. Neils Thompson Graduate Fellowship in Structural Engineering, and was awarded the Transmission Operational Excellence (TOE) Award, while working at Duke Energy Florida, for his update and change management implementation of the regional Construction Specification as related to Concrete Construction on Transmission Overhead Lines.

When Patrick is not managing his team of engineers, he enjoys reading, producing artwork, and traveling to National Parks and overseas with his wife and two young daughters.

Jonah Martin is the Director of Project Management at ASEC Engineers. He strives to be a partner in success for ASEC clients by applying nearly 25 years of construction and engineering experience with 10 of those years working for a large utility. Jonah understands that serving our utility clients directly impacts the safety and quality of life for everyone connected to the bulk electric system.

Jonah is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states and is a 2020 RMEL Emerging Leader Award Recipient. Jonah holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University. In the past 15 years, Jonah has transitioned from engineering design to project management. This includes oversight of all aspects of power delivery projects including the system planning phase, siting and routing, PUC filings, NEPA review and approval, county permitting, engineering design, materials procurement, contract administration, construction, and project close-out. Jonah published a paper highlighting one of his more notable projects; an 80-mile 115kV to 230kV upgrade that spanned multiple federal, state, and local jurisdictions. This project included replacement of the longest wood supported transmission crossing in the United States, with an even longer 7,000’ span supported by steel lattice structures.

Currently he is the Director of Project Management. His role involves managing the ASEC team of Project Managers, Project Schedulers, and Project Controllers as they navigate the project life cycle of Transmission Engineering Projects.

When he is not managing projects or mentoring young professionals, Jonah enjoys coaching his three young boys and their respective basketball teams as well as watching them play football, baseball, and golf.