Inside JBW

How we Remove Barriers one by one.

Our Values

The Pillars of Our Practice

Relationships

Whether it's a coworker, vendor, design partner, or contractor, we treat every individual with the same standard as we would a valued client.

Communication

We promise to always provide open, honest and clear communication at all levels of JBW.

Solutions

Every problem has a solution. When identifying a problem internally or externally, we will always make an effort to help bring ideas for a potential solution.

Technical Proficiency and Quality

We have a continuous focus on technical training, the selection of projects that fit our skillsets, and the smallest details to always bring the highest quality work to our coworkers and clients.

Responsiveness

We will always strive to understand urgency and provide timely responses to our coworkers and clients.

Our Culture

More Than Just Engineering

Team Engagement: Our annual picnic is more than just an event; it's a celebration of our team's camaraderie and collective spirit, reinforcing the supportive culture at JBW.

Work-Life Balance: We encourage activities like disc golf and surfing, recognizing the importance of relaxation and personal interests in fostering a creative and productive work environment.

Diverse Interests: JBW celebrates the unique hobbies and community contributions of our team, believing that diverse passions enrich our company culture.

Professional Development: We prioritize continuous learning and growth, providing opportunities for our team to excel both personally and professionally within the industry.

Our Team

The team at JBW is comprised of experienced professionals who show their pride through their work and believe in long-lasting relationships.

Bryn Johnston, PE

President/CEO

Bryn has been a part of the JBW team since he founded it in 2018...

He holds more than 10 years of experience in the engineering industry and enjoys working with our great client partners every day.

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Nick Johnston, PE

Chief Operations Officer

Thomas Johnson, PE, SE, PMP

Director of Infrastructure

Thomas brings more than 18 years of experience in structural analysis and...

Thomas brings more than 15 years of experience in structural analysis and design to the JBW team. He possesses extensive knowledge in the design of concrete, steel, timber, and masonry. Thomas enjoys being part of a high-caliber team that is helping to remove barriers.

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Jared Massie

Design Manager

Jared's experience includes years as an API 510, 570, and 653 certified inspect...

Jared's experience includes years as an API 510, 570, and 653 certified inspector as well as over 3 years experience in design. Jared enjoys the high levels of teamwork and camaraderie within the JBW team.

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Mike Kershaw

Director of Wood Products

Gary Johnston

Director of Oil and Gas

Gary has over 30 years' experience in equipment integrity. From design to...

Gary has over 30 years' experience in equipment integrity. From design to fitness analysis and reliability to replacements and modifications, Gary brings a wealth of experience to every project. In his free time, Gary enjoys fishing, boating, and mountain biking. He was drawn to JBW because of the energy and enthusiasm of everyone working here.

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Jamie Lepage, PE

Director of Industrial Projects

Jamie has a bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering and is a graduate...

Jamie has a bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering and is a graduate of the US Navy Nuclear Propulsion program. His background includes work in the fields of both military and commercial nuclear energy, commercial power industry, mining, chemical and refining industry, and forest/paper products. In his free time, he volunteers as Assistant Fire Chief for the Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department. He chose to join JBW for the opportunity to work with Industrial design teams to design and then build large industrial projects.

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Miles Wittlief, PE

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Brock Johnston

CAD Technician

Brock has more than 4 years of experience as a Mechanical Designer...

Brock has more than 4 years of experience as a Mechanical Designer. Brock appreciates the positive atmosphere the JBW team creates and everyone's willingness to own their work and help out whoever is in need.

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Kyle Levanen

Mechanical Engineer

Kyle has over 10 years of experience spread between the automotive and...

Kyle has over 10 years of experience spread between the automotive and industrial fields. He brings more than 5 years of instrumentation and controls experience to the JBW team and specializes in process design, instrumentation and controls, and dust hazard analysis studies. Kyle enjoys the flexible work schedule that JBW provides.

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Cassandra Johnson

Structural Lead Designer

Connor Abens

Electrical & Controls Engineer

Connor has a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. His background...

Connor has a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. His background includes woodworking, project management, and automation application development for end-users and OEMs. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, rafting, and cooking. He was drawn to JBW for its complimentary skillsets in other engineering disciplines and its strong momentum in business growth.

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Kurt Schwartzbauer, PE

Civil Engineer II

Kurt has over 7 years of experience in the Civil Engineering industry with a...

Kurt has over 7 years of experience in the Civil Engineering industry with a focus on environmental, slope stability, and construction site design. Kurt enjoys solving practical problems within a team of engineers and like-minded individuals. In his free time, he enjoys board games, camping, and cooking with his wife.

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Steve Bruckelmeyer

Project Manager

Steve has over 8 years of project management experience and more than...

Steve has over 8 years of project management experience and more than 20 years in the client service industry. He enjoys working with like-minded, energetic individuals who strive to provide value for our team and our client partners.

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Hunter Roberts

Survey Technician

Shelly Johnston

Controller

Shelly has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a MBA. She has work...

Shelly has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a MBA. She has worked in a variety of settings from small business to large corporations. In her free time, Shelly likes to garden, exercise, read, DIY, and spend time with friends and family. She enjoys JBW's ethical and driven leadership.

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Aimee Kaufmann

Administrative Assistant

Aimee brings to us over 15 years of experience in administrative roles...

Aimee brings to us over 15 years of experience in administrative roles with companies throughout the Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions. She is also a Licensed Real Estate agent in both Minnesota & Wisconsin and shares JBW's commitment to serving the community. Aimee enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, snowmobiling, and exploring the Midwest’s ATV trails with her Newfoundland, SweetPea.

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Our Locations

Reaching Out, Branching Out

Duluth, MN

Nestled in the heart of industry and innovation, our Duluth office stands as a beacon of engineering excellence.

     Gillette, WY

From the frontier of innovation, our Gillette office brings cutting-edge engineering solutions to the energy sector.

Remote Employees

Our remote team members provide engineering services to our clients while being able to live in locations of their choice.