About
Mission Statement
CDR’s mission is to deliver quality and professional engineering solutions in an expeditious and collaborative manner that maximizes our client’s ROI.
Purpose
The gratification of saving our clients time and money is why we do our job.
Core Values
Four Points of Collaboration
Effective communication is essential for a successful project. There are four points of collaboration on a project at CDR: the Client, the Approval Agency, Consultants, and Internal. The culmination of effectively communicating with the four points are our approved civil engineering plans. Effective communication is what sets us apart from other firms. To facilitate open and expeditious communication, all our engineers’ direct lines are our cell phone numbers. No answering services, call screeners, or robo-secretaries. You can get the Principal Engineer on the phone in three rings.
Sense of Urgency
Our engineers move with purpose and understand that besides delivering well executed plans, returning phone calls, responding to emails, coordinating with consultants, making submittals, and meeting milestone dates are all critical to keeping the project on time. We understand time is money; understanding this concept aligns us with our clients… “We are engineers who think and act like owners.”
Integrity & Accountability
Developers and owners are entrusting their time, land, and money with CDR. As such, CDR accepts this responsibility and will provide engineering solutions that will maximize the ROI within the laws, regulations, codes, and requirements of the permitting jurisdictions.
Persistence
The development team’s biggest challenge is getting a permit and getting the correct information from agencies. Persistence is what it takes to get things done with agencies that are not working on the same agenda and schedule.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Why do you need a civil engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit? Part of being a valued team member and thinking like an owner is recognizing the risk developers and owners are taking to hopefully be rewarded with a profitable project; however, this is never guaranteed. Engineering solutions that maximize the ROI, help reduce the owner’s risk. Having team members that share and recognize the entrepreneurial spirit allows Owners and Consultants to be like-minded, which facilitates long lasting professional relationships.
Our Team
Aaron Albertson, P.E.
Principal
Aaron Albertson, P.E., is the founding principal at CDR. Aaron has been working in Southern California for over 15 years beginning in environmental engineering and quickly transitioning into Land Development during early 2000 as part of the real estate boom.
Working at a national multi-unit roll out architecture firm, Aaron led the civil engineering efforts for all of Southern California. His team quickly expanded from two to twelve and was responsible for completing projects all over the U.S. Aaron moved to a boutique development company as a development project manager working directly with equity partners, where he was responsible for the Rite Aid preferred developer program entitlements, permits, and construction management.
Aaron founded CDR in 2007 as a response to the real estate downturn and developers outsourcing development program management. CDR has solidified a core group of repeat clients, based on timely and bottom line driven results and engineering solutions.
Aaron played football at the United States Air Force Academy and received his civil engineering degree in Bozeman, Montana, at Montana State University. Aaron resides in Newport Beach, California, with his wife and three boys.
Mario Lomeli
Senior Project Manager
Mario has been a land development civil engineer since 2003, priding himself on seeing a project through from initial conception to construction completion. Mario’s multi-faceted experience comes from managing and designing a wide-range of projects including: retail/commercial centers, master planned residential communities, worship centers, auto dealerships, fast food restaurants, industrial facilities, and sub lot subdivisions. Some of his abilities include rough and precise grading, storm water, sanitary sewer design, water pressure systems, site plan analysis and design, and erosion control.
The combination of Mario’s design and coordination expertise, along with his innate ability to coordinate across multiple disciplines allows him to meet project deadlines with the utmost quality in design.
In 2009, Mario was the recipient of the esteemed Young Engineer of the Year award from the American Society of Civil Engineers Orange County. Mario is a native of Orange County and received his civil engineering degree from Cal State Fullerton.
Royce Eklund, E.I.T.
Design Engineer
Royce has completed projects with multiple agencies and districts across Southern California. He has worked on Grading Plans and WQMP reports for residential homes in Newport Beach and Dana Point, schools and churches in Orange County, commercial and retail, and two projects at Legoland.
Royce completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo in 2016. While attending Cal Poly, Royce concentrated his studies in Water Resources Engineering with classes specializing in stormwater runoff, groundwater, urban water system design, and open channel flow. While in school he worked for the City of Pismo Beach Engineering Department assisting city engineers with their projects, conducting stormwater BMP inspections, and managing the city’s water conservation rebate program.
Royce is from San Diego, CA and resides in Newport Beach where he enjoys playing basketball and golf.
Hannah Lancaster, E.I.T.
Associate Engineer
Hannah joined CDR upon earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. With coursework focusing on groundwater hydraulics/hydrology, water resource engineering, surveying, and construction management, Hannah brings great knowledge and enthusiasm to CDR.
Hannah’s management and leadership skills shone through as we served as the project manager for the 2017 Cal Poly Steel Bridge Team, securing a highly coveted 3rd place overall ranking in the NSSBC.
An Orange County local, Hannah is excited to bring her engineering skills close to home.
AJ Calabrese
Associate Engineer
Born and raised in Long Island, New York, AJ moved west to California after graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Civil Engineering Technology. His coursework focused on Soils, Project Management and Stormwater Management.
While obtaining his degree, AJ captained the R.I.T Commercial Build Construction Management champion team in the AGC Construction Management Competition as well as participated in the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition.
Prior to graduating, AJ held multiple internships in both Rochester, NY and New York City working with design engineers in the office as well as on-site with construction professionals.
Timothy Cha
Associate Engineer
Currently residing in Orange County, Timothy obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach in 2017. His coursework revolved around hydraulics, fluid mechanics, water resource engineering, and project management. While attending school, Timothy interned for the City of Santa Ana, where he managed the city’s local water and sewer infrastructure.
Prior to joining CDR, Timothy completed multiple projects involving the design of recreational pools and amenity ponds, while also providing sound designs for pump stations. Timothy brings with him a conscientious and detailed eye for engineering projects that provides value. During his off hours, he enjoys photography and traveling.
Meghan Meek
Operations Manager
Meghan serves as the Operations Manager. She was born in Orange County and has a B.S. in Accounting.
“I enjoy how focused CDR is on creating a hardworking and positive team environment. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work and grow with this wonderful company and great group of people.”
Before coming to CDR, she worked in both Office and Operations Management. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors in nature, and spending time with her family and friends.
Alicia Herrera
Associate Engineer
Alicia joined CDR upon earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. Her coursework included geotechnical engineering, foundations, and construction management.
Prior to joining the CDR team, Alicia worked in Arizona for two years as a geotechnical field engineer for various projects including commercial and residential development, as well as roadway design.
