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Who We Are
About The Firm
& Our Team

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Linchpin SE

2013
01. -

Founded Linchpin SE

In 2013, Doug Gadow independently founded Linchpin Structural Engineering, Inc in Truckee, CA. Mr. Gadow immediately brought on key partners Michael Nicklin and David Hodder within the first year. Our three Senior Principals each bring 20 years of structural engineering experience with their own specialties: Mr. Gadow specializes in unique and challenging projects such as historical restoration, treehouses, and forensic engineering; Mr. Nicklin specializes in commercial and residential engineering including new construction, remodels and additions, and tenant improvements; Mr. Hodder specializes in education, healthcare, industrial, new construction, and seismic evaluations. Our leading team of exceptionally experienced structural engineers built Linchpin to embody greatness by empowering employees to participate in professional affiliations and continuing education opportunities, prioritizing accuracy and quality in client deliverables, and setting high standards through actions. From the beginning, we set out to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what was possible in the industry. We quickly established ourselves as a trusted partner in the design and construction of complex and challenging projects across multiple sectors.Details +

Forbes-Linchpin SE

2017-2022
02. -

Merger: Forbes Engineering, Inc.

Linchpin merged with Forbes Engineering in 2017, expanding our expertise and capabilities to better serve our clients, and adding a second office in Reno, NV. This acquisition led to exponential growth and opportunities with a larger team of highly skilled engineers, as well as a variety of project scope and clientele. The team at Forbes met the high standard of quality upheld at Linchpin and added a wealth of knowledge and experience through their founder Allen Forbes. To see a full and extensive list of projects Allen has worked on, read his bio here.Details +
Forbes-Linchpin SE

Linchpin Now

2022 - Current
03. -
Linchpin Now

Continually Growing Company

Moving forward, we now maintain only the Linchpin branding for standardization and consistency to represent one cohesive team. As of 2022, Mr. Forbes serves as an on-call consultant and specialist by request. Linchpin continues to grow and expand with additional project and associate engineers, interns, many internal promotions for excelling team members, and an ever-growing clientele and portfolio. We continue to pursue excellence in everything we do.Details +

Who We Are

Today, Linchpin Structural Engineering is proud to be one of the most respected structural engineering firms in the region. We are passionate about creating safe, sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for our clients. We leverage the latest technology and design tools, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) using Revit Structure and computer simulation, to optimize our designs and ensure the best possible outcomes.  As a firm, we continue to grow and evolve, taking on new challenges and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in our field. Our combined experience, technical expertise, passion, and knowledge of current building code requirements and material building standards make us a trusted specialist in any construction project.

Whether you’re planning a new building, retrofitting or remodeling an existing structure, or need expert advice on a complex engineering challenge, Linchpin Structural Engineering is the partner you can trust. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your project vision.

Meet the Team
Meet the Team

Douglas Gadow, PE, SE

Senior Principal, Partner

Mr. Gadow founded Linchpin Structural Engineering, Inc. in 2013, bringing with him 13 years of prior structural engineer...

Allen Forbes, PE, SE

Senior Principal (On Call)

Born and raised in Nevada, Mr. Forbes began working as a Structural Engineer in Reno after obtaining his Master's degree...

David Hodder, PE, SE

Senior Principal, Partner

Mr. Hodder joined Linchpin in the summer of 2014 with thirteen years of structural engineering experience. He has a wea...

Michael Nicklin, PE

Principal, Partner

Mr Nicklin joined Linchpin Structural Engineering immediately after it was founded in 2013, bringing with him thirteen y...

Lisa Hartley, PE

Associate Principal, Partner

Lisa is experienced in a variety of design types, from single-family remodels to full commercial campuses. She has desig...

Erin Broomhall, PE

Associate Principal

Erin joined Linchpin Structural Engineering in the summer 2015 with thirteen years of local structural engineering exper...

Jeffrey DeVries, PE

Associate Principal

Jeff joined Linchpin in the fall of 2020, bringing with him over two decades of experience in the Tahoe area. That time ...

Tam Nguyen, PE, SE

Senior Engineer

Tam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Linchpin team, with a focus on large commercial buildings, retail...

Jose Montenegro, PE

Senior Engineer

Jose joined Linchpin Structural Engineering in the Spring of 2016. Jose drafts all his projects’ construction document...

Amy MacQuarrie, PE

Senior Engineer

Amy joined Linchpin Structural Engineering in February of 2018 with ten years of engineering experience. She was formall...

Sandy Cumming, PE

Senior Engineer

Sandy joined the Linchpin team in 2017 and has become an indispensable member of the design team. He is proficient in st...

Janae Johnston, PE

Associate Engineer

Janae is a versatile member of the Linchpin team with design experience that spans from high-end residential projects to...

Eric Rademacher, PE

Associate Engineer

Eric joined Linchpin in 2019, bringing 14 prior years of experience in the construction industry as a skilled mason. His...

Isabella Villafuerte

Associate Engineer

Bella is a skilled professional with a wide range of capabilities, from custom residential projects to commercial tenant...

Derek Stuber

Project Engineer

Derek is a valuable and versatile member of the Linchpin team, gaining expertise in high-end single-family residences, c...

Juan Maya-Virrey

Project Engineer

Juan is a skilled engineer with experience in a broad range of design approaches. He has designed timber, steel, concret...

Marlys Zusy

Office Manager

Marlys is the indispensable juggernaut that keeps our practice running smoothly, from managing clients and invoices, to ...

CORE VALUES

Quality

We strive to provide the highest quality products and services for each of our projects, with exacting standards and attention to detail.

Employee Wellbeing

It is our goal to provide the best possible work environment and a strong work-life balance for each employee, and accommodate individual needs and professional goals to ensure strong career growth and personal health.

Professionalism

We are committed to open and prompt communication with all members of the design team, from ownership and designers to contractors and subconsultants.

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to providing an equitable, non-discriminatory, and supportive work environment for our employees of all backgrounds and personal circumstances.

Community

We actively engage in our community, providing pro-bono design work for local organizations and non-profits, and have a paid volunteer time program to encourage employees to give back in a way that is meaningful to them. Many Linchpin employees serve on local professional organization boards and committees, with the goal of improving the industry and the community environment for all.

Sustainability

We are proud to be one of the first 50 signatory firms to the SE2050 agreement, an effort to address the negative environmental impacts associated with structures and their construction and eliminate embodied carbon in our designs by the year 2050. To that end, we will be modifying our structural engineering approach over time to adopt new specifications and design mechanisms aimed at reducing the carbon emissions associated with our designs. There is no impact on the project fees for this endeavor, and we work with project teams to help mitigate any construction cost impacts and ensure understanding of the design intent. You can read our full Embodied Carbon Action Plan (ECAP) here: 2022 2023

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