Bringing together decades of technical expertise, industry insight, and a shared commitment to delivering clear, reliable engineering support.
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We’re always looking for talented, driven professionals who share our commitment to clarity, integrity, and real-world results.
We help protect buildings from the elements through expert analysis, practical solutions, and clear, evidence-based reporting.
We investigate structural failures and construction issues with expert analysis, practical solutions, and clear, evidence-based reporting.
We restore aging or damaged structures with expert assessment, thoughtful design, and practical support from start to finish.
We support legal and insurance teams with expert analysis, clear communication, and credible testimony grounded in real-world engineering experience.
We help clients navigate complex accessibility codes with expert guidance, practical recommendations, and a clear path to confident, code-compliant spaces.
We help insurers, attorneys, and property owners resolve claims with expert evaluations, practical insights, and clear, defensible engineering documentation.
Author: Michael Johnson, Licensed Insurance Adjuster and Senior Estimator When property damage occurs, insurance carriers are expected to act fast—while also making decisions that are accurate, fair, and supported by…
Author: Matthew T. Blackmer, M.S., P.E. – Chief Executive Officer When you see a crack in a wall, it is easy to assume the worst. But not all cracks are…
Author: Mary Jean McCarthy-Tapp, AIA, NCARB – Architectural Services Department Manager When it comes to property damage, most people focus on the obvious: leaking roofs, broken pipes, visible cracks. But…
When someone suffers a fall or injury on a property, determining fault isn’t just a legal challenge – it’s a technical one. Surface conditions, code compliance, material defects, and environmental…
Burst pipes. Frozen plumbing. Hidden leaks.Water damage is one of the most frequent – and expensive – problems property owners face. According to the Insurance Information Institute, around 1 in…
From failed machinery to vehicle breakdowns and building infrastructure issues, mechanical failures can disrupt operations, create safety risks, and lead to costly claims. But understanding why something failed is just…
The ground beneath your building is just as important as the structure above it. In regions like Colorado and the wider Western U.S., challenging soil conditions such as expansive or…
The building envelope is your property’s first and most important line of defence. It’s what keeps the weather out, maintains comfort inside, and protects the overall integrity of the structure.…
Civil engineering plays a critical role in the long-term performance and stability of any property. From foundation systems to surface drainage, even seemingly small design or construction flaws can lead…
Cracks in the walls. Uneven floors. Doors that don’t quite close properly. These may seem like minor annoyances at first – but they could be signs of deeper structural issues…
Wesley Walthall joined our team in early 2026 as an Engineering Technician.
Wesley is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He brings experience in structural analysis and design of steel and concrete systems for industrial and transportation facilities across the United States and Canada.
Wesley supports projects through structural modeling, design calculations, drawing review, and preparation of technical documentation. He collaborates closely with project teams to address design challenges and provide construction-phase support when needed. Wesley brings a practical, detail-oriented approach to engineering and is committed to delivering clear, well-supported solutions.
Ed Dressel joined our team in early 2026 as a seasoned building expert and owner’s representative specializing in guiding clients through technically complex projects, construction defect investigations, and high-risk built environments. Ed supports owners, developers, and legal teams in understanding building failures, evaluating remediation strategies, and making informed decisions that align technical performance with financial and operational realities.
Ed studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis and earned a graduate degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University. His academic foundation, combined with more than three decades of hands-on industry experience, has allowed him to cultivate a uniquely integrated perspective across the full lifecycle of the built environment—from design intent and constructability through failure analysis and reconstruction.
Over the course of his career, Ed has played a key role in the delivery and evaluation of more than $620 million in construction projects totaling over 2 million square feet. His portfolio includes luxury single-family residences, large-scale retail developments, high-rise commercial towers, and mixed-use facilities. He brings particular expertise in building envelope systems, fenestration, water intrusion, and forensic architectural analysis—disciplines that are often central to complex construction defect claims and performance disputes.
Known for his methodical approach and clear communication style, Ed works to translate technical findings into actionable insights for stakeholders across ownership, legal, and design teams. Whether serving in an owner’s advisory capacity during active construction or providing forensic analysis in post-loss or defect conditions, he is committed to protecting project integrity, reducing risk exposure, and helping clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Theresa Rief is a Client Services Manager based in our Dallas, Texas office. She is focused on building strong, long-term partnerships through clear communication and trusted service.
She works closely with clients to understand their goals and ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.
Outside of work, Theresa is an avid golfer, a sports enthusiast, and enjoys spending time with her dog, Riley Rose.
Jordan leads our structural engineering group and has extensive experience with forensics assessments with expert witness support, insurance claims for storm related damage, and producing designed repairs for all types of commercial and residential structures.
He has experience with assessing and providing repair drawings for structural components, roofing, building envelope, exterior cladding, terrace and balcony, below grade, parking garage, and working with clients on tiered solutions for repairs. Jordan’s experience also includes providing third-party consulting design reviews for new and existing buildings.
Jordan retains a bachelors of science in Architectural Engineering – Structural Option from the University of Wyoming and holds an NCEES record with P.E. licenses in numerous state jurisdictions.
Andy Dryden joined Higgins & Associates in 2025 as the Senior Construction Consultant for the firm. In addition to providing support for construction related field activities, Andy also serves as support for cost estimating. Andy’s technical expertise includes over two decades of experience as a Senior Director of Construction for multi-family assets. He is experienced applying these skills across structural, roofing, building envelope, civil and redevelopment projects. Andy can easily interface with engineers, architects, contractors and owners key stakeholders. His extensive experience with insurance restoration and capital projects from the perspective of a owners representative make him valuable supporting litigation and insurance related projects.
Andy has managed multi-million dollar insurance, elective rehabilitation, asset preservation and redevelopment work for over 20 years, encompassing residential, multi-family, retail and commercial projects. His attention to detail, and high standard for keeping projects within budget and on schedule earns the respect of those he has conducted business with.
Along with his extensive experience and technical knowledge, Andy has led the implementation of customized project management systems at two multi-family REITS. He is also experienced operating Matterport, a 3D rendering platform, BlueBeam, ProCore and Constructware. Andy has also led the roll-out of product and document standardization at his previous companies.
