We Engineer The Change We Want To See
As a collaborative woman and minority-owned Alameda County SLEB Certified structural engineering firm, we own the concept of diversity, from our projects to materials, skillset and staff. We empower our engineers to lead.
Our diverse portfolio includes multi-family residential and mixed-use buildings, affordable housing, new custom homes and remodels, custom ADUs, low-rise commercial structures and seismic anchorages, retail, healthcare, and education.
Our services include structural design and analysis, construction support administration, feasibility studies, retaining walls and foundations, and more.
Stop by booth #46 to learn more!
Structural Engineering Questions?
Wanting to learn how to navigate structural engineering code updates, sustainability, or more? Schedule a Lunch & Learn With Us.
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Thuy Fontelera, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C
About
Mrs. Fontelera is a licensed structural engineer with over 22 years of experience and expertise in structural engineering, including project management and executive experience in QA /QC roles. She is a passionate supporter of resolving the housing crisis, using her skills to engineer the change she hopes to see.
Building design and engineering services include multi-residential (new and rehabilitated), commercial, retail, educational, and single-family residential projects.
She has design experience in seismic and gravity systems of steel, light gauge steel, concrete, post-tension concrete, wood and masonry structures, shoring and retaining structures, and mechanical and PV anchorage systems.
Thuy has been involved in projects including affordable housing and multi-residential units that have been designed for the green point rating system and LEED certification.
What Inspires Me?
I’m passionate about structures. It excites me when a building is finished and I’ve witnessed the transformation. Driving past projects I have been involved in—whether small or large—make me very proud. The technical expertise of how to put things together is astonishing. Some projects, like working on existing structures, are so complex. I like the challenge.
Affordable Housing Portfolio
- Stevenson Place Apartments, MidPen Housing, Fremont, CA
- Garland Plaza Apartment, MidPen Housing, Sunnyvale, CA
- Celestina Gardens Apartments, MidPen Housing, Sonoma, CA
- Shorebreeze Apartments, MidPen Housing, Mountain View, CA
- Serenity Senior Housing, MidPen Housing, East Palo Alto, CA
- Alta Madrone, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Sonoma, CA
- Fremont Family Apartments, Abode Housing Development, Fremont, CA
- Fetters Apartments, MidPen Housing, Sonoma, CA
Learn More
Schedule A Meetup
Associate Principal & SE 2050 Embodied Carbon Champion
James Enright, PE, SE, LEED AP
About
Mr. Enright brings over 14 years of structural engineering experience in a broad range of project types including project types including residential, commercial, healthcare, education, tenant improvement, adaptive reuse, and seismic retrofit.
He delivers excellence in technical design and is passionate about sustainability and collaboration. He enjoys working with clients and design teams to attain simple, innovative solutions to create greater flexibility for our clients’ projects. He is skilled in structural design using a variety of building materials and construction methods, as well as in the preparation of feasibility studies for new construction and renovations.
What Inspires Me?
I enjoy the combination of problem-solving and the close relationships developed with contractors, architects, and co-workers. Growing up, I was always interested in math and science. I have always been someone who enjoys working with my hands and it was in high school that I learned to work with wood and repair cars. My auto tech instructor and coworkers at the auto shop where I worked, encouraged me to go to engineering school to become a designer. Today, I like working through the practical side of construction issues, but I also thrive on developing relationships; working together as a team towards a common goal.
Affordable Housing Portfolio
- Meridian, CRP Affordable Housing & Community Development, Santa Clara, CA
- 811 San Pablo, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Pinole, CA
- 2700 International, The Unity Council, Oakland, CA
- Pimentel Place, EAH Housing, Hayward, CA
- Oak Gardens, MidPen Housing, Menlo Park, CA
- Bienestar Apartments, MidPen Housing, Santa Cruz, CA
- Cypress Point, MidPen Housing, Moss Beach, CA
- Kashia Windsor, Burbank Housing, Windsor, CA
Learn More
Schedule A Meetup
George Fontelera
Operations & CAD/REVIT Manager
About
Mr. Fontelera is the Operations and CAD/REVIT Manager with over 34 years of experience and expertise in building systems, construction details, and active contributions to the development of company drawing standards for plan compliance, including project management and executive experience in QA /QC roles. Building design and engineering services include multi-residential (new and rehabilitated), commercial, retail, educational, and single-family residential projects.
What Inspires Me?
I’ve been in engineering for 32 years now, so I chose well! I’m passionate about structures. It excites me when a building is finished and I’ve witnessed the transformation. Driving past projects I have been involved in—whether small or large—make me very proud. The technical expertise of how to put things together is astonishing. Some projects, like working on existing structures, are so complex. I like the challenge.
Affordable Housing Portfolio
- Meridian, CRP Affordable Housing & Community Development, Santa Clara, CA
- 811 San Pablo, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Pinole, CA
- 2700 International, The Unity Council, Oakland, CA
- Pimentel Place, EAH Housing, Hayward, CA
- Oak Gardens, MidPen Housing, Menlo Park, CA
- Bienestar Apartments, MidPen Housing, Santa Cruz, CA
- Stevenson Place Apartments, MidPen Housing, Fremont, CA
- Garland Plaza Apartment, MidPen Housing, Sunnyvale, CA
- Celestina Gardens Apartments, MidPen Housing, Sonoma, CA
- Shorebreeze Apartments, MidPen Housing, Mountain View, CA
- Serenity Senior Housing, MidPen Housing, East Palo Alto, CA
- Alta Madrone, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Sonoma, CA
- Fremont Family Apartments, Abode Housing Development, Fremont, CA
- Fetters Apartments, MidPen Housing, Sonoma, CA
Schedule A Meetup
Ian Provan, PE
Senior Engineer
About
Mr. Provan is a licensed civil engineer with over 9 years of experience and expertise in structural engineering.
Building design and engineering services have been performed for a variety of projects including multi-unit residential, commercial, retail, and single-family residential projects. These projects include design of seismic and gravity systems from a multitude of materials including steel, light gauges steel, concrete, wood, masonry, and retaining structures.
He has been involved in seismic retrofits to existing structures including single family and multi-unit residential projects to bring the building up to current code performance objectives while working with the existing framing as much as possible.
What Inspires Me?
Although I’ve been a structural engineer for several years, every day brings a unique challenge. I appreciate that component of my job. Projects range from commercial buildings to single-family homes. This field enables me to help team members complete their tasks and find solutions. It’s also fun helping client’s bring their visions to life.
Affordable Housing Portfolio
- Atherton Court, MidPen Housing, Redwood City, CA
- Posada De Colores Renovation, The Unity Council, Oakland, CA
- Alta Madrone, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Sonoma, CA
- Serenity Senior Housing, MidPen Housing, East Palo Alto, CA
- Ancora Place, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Oakland, CA
- Fremont Family Apartments, Abode Housing Development, Fremont, CA
- Avance, MidPen Housing, Livermore, CA
- Firehouse, MidPen Housing, Belmont, CA
- The Randall, Eden Housing, Healdsburg, CA
- Cienega Heights, MidPen Housing, Watsonville, CA
- Mission Paradise, EAH Housing, Hayward, CA
- Cypress Point, MidPen Housing, Moss Beach, CA
- Lazuli Landing, MidPen Housing, Union City, CA
- Pacific Ave, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Livermore, CA
- Kashia Windsor, Burbank Housing, Windsor, CA
- Pickering/Oroysom, MidPen Housing, Fremont CA
- Sunset Creek, MidPen Housing, Fairfield, CA
Schedule A Meetup
Jennifer VanderArend
People Cultivator
About
Ms. VanderArend is passionate about fostering growth and inclusivity. Her life’s purpose is to transform the lives of others to be the best version of themselves.
Her experience includes over 12 years in marketing strategy, leadership and staff development, employee programs, and diversity initiatives.
At Element Structural Engineers, she is driving employee programs and strategy initiatives for the human resources and marketing departments, mentoring programs, DEIB initiatives, community partnerships, and leading the company’s B-Corporation certification process.
What Inspires Me?
I have always had a creative side and an analytical/strategic side. I love being able to see the big picture while also focusing on operations, multi-channel campaigns, and programs all through a creative and storytelling lens. As my career has evolved, I’ve started to develop a strong passion for creating inclusive spaces that provide opportunities for future leaders to grow. I also enjoy the adaptive learning that naturally happens when in a role that can cross multiple industries. Today, I like being able to take my past experiences in different industries, past roles, and passions and identify opportunities that will help a brand grow towards a common goal, whether that is external or internal.