High Mesa Consulting Group

Jeffrey G. Mortensen, Professional Engineer
President / Principal-in-Charge, Engineering Services

Mr. Mortensen began his career with the firm as a Field Engineer in 1978, after receiving his B.S.C.E. from Drexel University and relocating to New Mexico to pursue graduate studies at the University of New Mexico (UNM). While at UNM, Mr. Mortensen served as a Graduate Assistant and taught several undergraduate courses in Civil Engineering. Upon receiving his M.S.C.E. from UNM, he continued to work for the firm becoming a project engineer, and concurrent with receiving his New Mexico Engineering License became Vice-President of the company. Mr. Mortensen became President of the company in 1987. He then began securing many of the on-call contracts that the firm still has to this day. In 1994, and again in 2002, he distributed shares to other Principals of the firm in order to provide our client base with greater diversity and shared stability in ownership. Although he has reduced his percentage of ownership, he has not reduced his workload or involvement in the firm. Mr. Mortensen continues to serve as President and as a resource for the client base and staff. Mr. Mortensen is currently licensed as a Professional Engineer in the States of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.

Charles G. Cala, Jr., Professional Surveyor
Vice-President / Principal-in-Charge, Surveying Services

Mr. Cala has been employed by the firm since 1981, beginning his career as a drafting technician. After serving his required internship, Mr. Cala obtained his New Mexico Surveying License in 1990, and subsequently also became licensed in the states of Colorado and Arizona. He founded the surveying department and implemented the technological strategies necessary to make the department an integral component of the firm’s success. In 1994 he became a Principal with the firm and has continued in his capacity as the Principal-in-charge of the Surveying Department. Mr. Cala served on the New Mexico State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. He has been instrumental in the development of many of the key relationships that have made High Mesa Consulting Group successful. Areas of expertise for Mr. Cala include: Land Acquisition and Development, Expert Witness Testimony, and Private and Public Lands Surveying.

Joseph M. Solomon, Jr., Professional Surveyor
Principal / Survey Project Manager

Mr. Solomon received his Bachelor of Science in Surveying in 1995 from The Ohio State University and relocated to New Mexico in order to accept a position at a firm in Santa Fe. In 1996 he joined our firm as a Field Survey Technician. In 1997 he was promoted to Survey Party Chief, and in 2001 he tested for and received his New Mexico Surveying License. In 2002, he became a principal with the firm and increased his share of ownership in the company in 2007. In 2011, he tested for and received his Certified Federal Surveying Certification (CFedS). Mr. Solomon is responsible for developing new surveying processes and implementing available technology for the department. He is also responsible for scheduling of the current workload. Mr. Solomon actively participates in proposing and securing contracts for the firm. Areas of expertise for Mr. Solomon include: Construction Staking, Geodetic Control, Large Scale Mapping, and GIS Data Acquisition.

J. Graeme Means, Professional Engineer
Principal / Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Means came to the firm in 1992 from Lafayette College with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Environmental Science. After relocating from the East Coast, Mr. Means settled into a position as an Engineering Intern, responsible for construction administration and preliminary design work. After completing his internship, he tested for and received his New Mexico Engineering License in 1997. Mr. Means is also licensed in Arizona. In 2002, he became a principal with the firm. In addition to his duties as a principal, Mr. Means is also responsible for recruiting engineering staff, and mentoring the civil engineering interns with Mr. Mortensen. Mr. Means is actively involved in all phases of project planning, design, management, and construction while also developing new clients and contacts for the firm. Areas of expertise include site grading and drainage, hydrology, open channel hydraulics, design of hydraulic structures, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling.

Richard C. White

Surveying Project Manager

Mr. White joined the firm in 1989 as a seasoned Survey Crew Chief with many years of surveying experience. He helped to create the Surveying Department with Mr. Charles Cala, and developed many of the processes and procedures that are still in use by the Surveyors at High Mesa Consulting Group. Mr. White serves as a Senior Survey Crew Chief and also helps to develop business relationships for the firm. Mr. White’s areas of expertise include: Boundary Surveying, Private and Public Lands Surveying, Control and Structural Monitoring Surveys, Construction Surveying, Expert Witness Testimony and Topographic Mapping.

Timothy N. Tessendorf, Professional Surveyor
Technical Manager

Mr. Tessendorf joined the firm in 1995, following his employment at other surveying and engineering firms in Albuquerque. He received his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Western Illinois University, and worked as an Exploration Geologist in New Mexico. After leaving the field of Geology, he attended the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, and received his degree in Civil and Surveying Technologies. Mr. Tessendorf tested for and received his New Mexico Surveying License in 2002. His duties at the firm include: Quality control for design and construction plans, generation of construction field stakeout plans for survey crews, Research and investigation for boundary and ALTA surveys, Sketch and subdivision plats, and preparation of legal descriptions. Additionally, he is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the network server and user computer stations and has been active in the recruitment and development of CAD Technicians