John W. (Bill) Baird, Jr., PE, RPLS

Chairman Emeritus | Senior Civil Engineer

John (Bill) Baird has over 50 years of active management, design, estimating, and coordination experience, and is still actively designing and managing projects. He has provided project management and design for many civil engineering projects for various client types, with expertise spanning municipal, industrial, commercial, educational, religious, and institutional projects. His design experience includes extensive site development; streets, roadways, and thoroughfares; bridge and culvert projects; flood control; storm water detention; water distribution and sewage collection; and water and sewage treatment plants.

Bill lives in Burleson with his wife Terresa and enjoys traveling, gardening and, most especially, spending time with his grandchildren.

Project Experience

Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Granbury Dental Center
Granbury Resort Conference Center
Early Learning Center
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Texas Wesleyan University Rosedale Renaissance

Merlin Hampton, PE

Founder | Senior Electrical Engineer

As a youngster, Merlin Hampton was intrigued by electricity. His fascination with electricity helped shape his successful career as an electrical engineer. Merlin has over 45 years of experience in design and project management. He is qualified in all aspects of the electrical engineering profession.

His experience includes healthcare, historical renovation, educational, data processing, religious, industrial, institutional, exterior distribution, and emergency power systems. He was also responsible for the electrical engineering of NASA’s Space Station Control Center in Houston. Merlin is a past board member of the City of Fort Worth’s Electrical Board and the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Codes Coordinating Committee.

When he’s not working or serving as a board member, Merlin loves reading, downhill skiing, and spending time with his family and wife, Margaret. Merlin also serves as a deacon at his church and volunteers with his wife at Christian Friends of Israel – America. As a former President of the Board, Merlin and his wife have traveled to Israel numerous times over the years to help aid and support Jewish terror victims and Holocaust survivors.

Project Experience

Keller ISD Timberview Middle School
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall

Les Brown, PE, LEED AP

Founder | Senior Mechanical Engineer

Growing up, Les Brown wanted to be an architect. He later “came to his senses” and went on to receive a mechanical engineering degree from Geneva College in 1979. Les has over 44 years of experience in mechanical systems design and project management. He actively provides design and management for a variety of commercial, institutional, and municipal facilities.

His design experience includes HVAC troubleshooting, equipment replacement, code compliance, energy conservation, thermodynamics, building automation control systems, plumbing systems design, heat transfer, and temperature controls. He is also highly qualified in mechanical systems design for specialized environmental controlled areas, including hospitals, labs, and computer/data processing facilities.

Les is an active member and former chapter president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He is also a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association. Outside of work, Les enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything that involves outdoor sports. When they’re not spending time with their kids, Les and his wife, Gina, like to travel. His favorite place to visit is Alaska or anywhere up north that has mountains, trees, wildlife and cooler weather.

Project Experience

Arlington Animal Services Center
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Weatherford College Professional Services

Trace Strevey, PE

President | Senior Civil Engineer

Trace Strevey grew up around the construction industry and, although he always wanted to be a cowboy, building is in his blood. The majority of his 20+ year engineering career has been in the pursuit of diverse projects that are both challenging and rewarding.

His land development experience includes commercial, industrial, healthcare, and residential design, and his municipal engineering experience includes water distribution, wastewater system design, drainage studies, and roadway design.  He has the proven ability to successfully coordinate with cities, counties, TxDOT, TCEQ, and other governing agencies for construction and environmental permits, zoning changes, and site planning approvals.

Project Experience

Cresson Crossroads Industrial Park
Park Hill Surgery Center
Presbyterian Night Shelter Morris Foundation Women & Children's Center
Rogers Road Pavilion
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena

Ken Randall, PE, LEED AP

Chief Executive Officer | Senior Electrical Engineer

Ken Randall’s reputation as a solutions-oriented electrical engineer has enabled him to evaluate and design complex commercial and industrial electrical distribution systems. His projects range from small remodels to new one-million-square-foot buildings.

As Chief Executive Officer, Ken leads the development of BHB’s long and short term strategies along with managing overall business operations and also serves as the electrical team leader. His approach to projects and client service is to continually strive to meet the Owner’s vision and to design with new concepts and technologies with better buildings in mind.

Ken is a former Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Tarrant County, and he was nominated as Rookie of the Year for the organization in 2014. He is involved in the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, promoting the continuing education of engineers in Fort Worth. Ken and his wife Tammy are active members of Abiding Faith Lutheran Church.

Project Experience

Arborlawn United Methodist Church
Arlington Animal Services Center
Arlington Heights Animal Hospital
Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex
Central Texas College Nursing Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Imperial Construction Office and Shop
Keller ISD Timberview Middle School
Early Learning Center
Mounted Patrol Equestrian Facility
Northpark YMCA
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Rogers Road Pavilion
Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
Tarrant County Northwest Sub-Courthouse
Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse
TCU Annie Richardson Bass Building
TCU Charlie and Marie Lupton Baseball Clubhouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena
TCU Frog Alley Parking Garage
TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library
TCU Rees-Jones Hall
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center
Weatherford College Professional Services

Ian Bost, PE, LEED AP

Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer

Ian Bost began working at BHB in 2001. As one of the youngest and newest additions to the leadership team, Ian still considers himself a kid despite being over the age of 35. Ian’s success at BHB has fostered several new relationships with higher education institutions for which he has become the primary point of contact. His projects at UNT, TCU, and UTA are some of the most technologically advanced for colleges and universities. They have included systems such as single-zone VAV AHUs and chilled beam systems.

Ian’s passion for engineering efficient systems stems from his desire to be a good steward of the land. He is involved with the AIA 2030 Challenge and works closely with our clients to provide sustainable design. Over the years Ian has continuously been involved with professional societies including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. His role as a past president of the Fort Worth ASHRAE Chapter has grown into mentorships for new chapter presidents and members.

He tries to live a balanced life with his family: wife Carmen and their four kids. Ian is a Texas Tech Red Raider Alumni who enjoys supporting his college and its athletic programs. Ian enjoys living and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Project Experience

Arborlawn United Methodist Church
Central Texas College Nursing Center
Keller ISD Timberview Middle School
Northpark YMCA
TCU Annie Richardson Bass Building
TCU Charlie and Marie Lupton Baseball Clubhouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena
TCU Frog Alley Parking Garage
TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library
TCU Rees-Jones Hall

Shannon L. Nave, PE, CFM

Principal | Senior Civil Engineer

Shannon Nave’s desire is to use engineering to leave the world a better place than he found it and to help man live with nature and with each other. His extensive experience includes engineering design and project management for a significant variety of civil and water resource projects.

His wide-ranging experience in working for both consulting firms and as a municipal staff engineer includes flood studies, dam design and repair, expert witness testimony, and general civil projects encompassing designs for residential, commercial, educational, utility, and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).

Shannon’s research and master’s thesis on storm water flow in streets and gutters led to UTA receiving a $450,000 grant from TxDOT to build a street section in the basement of the UTA Nedderman Hall to run full-scale tests.

Shannon lives in Parker County with his wife Anna and two sons; he enjoys cooking, reading, and working with the Cub Scouts.

Project Experience

Imperial Construction Office and Shop

Richard J. Watters, PE

Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer

Richard Watters came to BHB after working with a design-build contractor in the area for two years. As an active member of BHB’s leadership team, Richard manages some of the firm’s multiple long-term engineering projects, including healthcare, commercial, oil and gas, retail, and municipal. He is experienced in sustainable design, energy studies/audits, design-build, hospitality, data centers, critical environments, medical gas systems, and construction administration.

Richard has been named one of the Top 40 Engineers Under 40 in the country by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine and one of the Top 20 Engineers Under 40 in our region by Engineer News-Record magazine.

In the office, his hands-on style has helped him successfully find solutions for clients and mentor young engineers. Outside of the office, Richard has been past president of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE and has been active with various student organizations as a guest speaker or project sponsor; he also travels back to Texas A&M to guest lecture and has sponsored projects for the construction science department at Texas A&M.

With his wife Yesenia, he enjoys being outside with their kids, traveling, working on multiple home improvement projects, and helping others. They have sponsored scholarships for children in El Salvador, his wife’s native country, who would otherwise not have access to advanced education. In addition to these, they also have four annual scholarships locally at TCU and UNT. Expanding on this desire to provide resources and forward momentum for everyone, Richard is also a founding board member of the Paul Schulte Foundation, a non-profit organization with a goal to empower, inspire, and facilitate individuals with disabilities.

Project Experience

Arlington Animal Services Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Star-Telegram Building
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center

Austin Baird, PE, LEED AP

Principal | Senior Civil Engineer

By the time he was in high school, Austin Baird knew he wanted to be an engineer. After graduating high school, Austin began working at BHB in the field on a survey crew. While attending college at the University of Texas, Austin discovered his passion for civil engineering and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2001.

Austin is now a Principal with experience in design and project management. His experience includes municipal infrastructure, water resources, environmental engineering, drainage systems, transportation, and land development. He has been responsible for the engineering design of water, sewer, paving, and drainage systems, as well as close coordination with local municipalities, counties, TxDOT, TCEQ, and other governing agencies for construction permits, zoning changes, and site planning efforts.

Austin is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, once President of the Fort Worth chapter, and has also served as President of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers Fort Worth Chapter. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control.

Outside of work, Austin likes to spend time with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two kids, Jackson and Leah. He also enjoys cooking and traveling anywhere with a beach. Austin’s hidden talents include being a self-taught juggler and balloon artist. 

Project Experience

Cresson Crossroads Industrial Park
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Granbury Resort Conference Center
Early Learning Center
Park Hill Surgery Center
Presbyterian Night Shelter Morris Foundation Women & Children's Center
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena

John Margotta, RPLS

Vice President of Land Surveying

John Margotta has been with BHB for over 20 years. Previously, John worked for a company that provided surveying services to BHB. Shortly after BHB added a surveying department, John joined the team and is now the head of the surveying department. He has provided field and office supervision on land surveying projects for public and privately funded projects, including the DFW Airport, City of Fort Worth, TXU Electric, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., Trinity River Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, TxDOT, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Railtran, and Fort Worth Transportation Authority.

In high school, John held the rank of Master in the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (World Chess Federation). Outside of work, John loves cooking, football and karaoke. If he wasn’t a land surveyor, John would be a chef. “Cooking is very relaxing to me and I feel like I’m creating something good out of raw ingredients that may or may not taste good by themselves.” John’s favorite place to visit is New York City because he loves the different cultures, food, and architecture it has to offer.

John is an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors and the National Society of Professional Surveyors. He also volunteers for Skills USA, teaching high school-aged kids, who compete in local, state and national competitions, about land surveying.

John has two kids, a son who who graduated from The University of North Texas with a degree in graphic design, and a daughter who works for Mothers Milk Bank of North Texas, a nonprofit that collects breastmilk from healthy, nursing mothers who have a surplus and is dispensed to premature and fragile infants without access to their mother’s own milk. He also has one granddaughter. John’s favorite quote is from Winston Churchill, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts,” because he believes that one is never finished in life and even if you fail, at least you tried.

Project Experience

Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Imperial Construction Office and Shop
Early Learning Center
Meadowview Estates Channel Improvements
Monterra Medical Campus
Park Hill Surgery Center
Presbyterian Night Shelter Morris Foundation Women & Children's Center
Rogers Road Pavilion
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Star-Telegram Building
Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
Texas Wesleyan University Rosedale Renaissance

Ottis Lee, PE

Vice President of Land Development

Ottis Lee has always enjoyed building and learning how things work. He spent his first two years of college studying art and architecture, which introduced him to civil engineering. Ottis now has over 30 years of civil engineering, project management, and development management experience.

His experience includes feasibility studies, conceptual planning, zoning, planting, construction plans, budgets, estimates, and construction support. He has provided designs and plans for numerous residential developments throughout North Central Texas, as well as marinas, commercial and retail sites, waterlines, sewer projects, and roadways and bridges.

Ottis is an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers. When he’s not working or participating in organizations, Ottis likes to spend time with his wife Lana and their three grown children.

Project Experience

Glade & Pool Road Roundabout

Craig Gregory, PE

Vice President of Facilities Engineering

Growing up, Craig Gregory knew he wanted to become an engineer. Even as a kid, he was always interested in math and how things worked. Naturally, this led him to studying engineering and graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Craig joined the industry soon after graduating from college in 1987. A few years later, he joined Merlin Hampton, who had previously hired him at another company, at BHB and he has been with us ever since.

Craig has experience as the lead electrical engineer in a wide variety of projects ranging from sophisticated electrical distribution designs to large data centers and complex renovation projects in hospitals and industrial facilities such as Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Outside of work, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife Laura and his two daughters Autumn and Allie. Their favorite place to vacation is Disney World.

Project Experience

Early Learning Center
TCU Annie Richardson Bass Building
TCU Charlie and Marie Lupton Baseball Clubhouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena
TCU Frog Alley Parking Garage
TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library

Shonnah Driver

Senior Associate | Marketing Director

Shonnah Driver grew up in the small farming community of Lazbuddie, Texas. After graduating from Lazbuddie High School, she moved to the DFW metroplex to attend college at UTA, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In 2008, prior to graduating from college, she turned in her lifeguard whistle and swim lesson cap to begin a marketing internship with BHB.

Now, Shonnah serves as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for BHB. In 2015, she was the first woman and non-technical professional named Associate within the firm, a leadership position that recognizes employees who exhibit outstanding professional and leadership skills. Shonnah was named to the 2017 Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 class. She is active in many local organizations including the Society for Marketing Professional Services Fort Worth Chapter, Rotary Club of Fort Worth, Commercial Real Estate Women Fort Worth Chapter, Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, and Texas Health Harris Exchange. In 2018, she completed Leadership Fort Worth’s Leadership Class, a nine-month program geared to help established leaders connect their networks and resources to address identified needs in the community.

Shonnah has a passion for her local community and the built environment. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, running, water skiing, traveling, and experiencing all that the local community has to offer in and around Fort Worth. Shonnah lives with her husband Daniel, their son Hollis, and Hank the goldendoodle.

Project Experience

Chad Wallace, PE

Senior Associate | Civil Engineer

Inspired at a young age by the Golden Gate Bridge, Chad always knew that he wanted to be an engineer.  He came to BHB in 2015 with valuable experience in project management and civil engineering from Lockheed Martin and GM2 Associates. In addition to his engineering experience, Chad spent five years serving in the Navy on board the USS Philadelphia, which took him around the world. Chad enjoys the diverse engineering design challenges that BHB offers and the opportunity to work directly with clients to bring their projects to fruition. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

His hobbies include camping, golfing, woodworking, cooking, and trying new restaurants. He and his wife Lacey enjoy hiking and running with their Belgian Malinois named Bear, and spending time with her two nieces. Having grown up in northern California, they enjoy visiting Napa and the Redwoods…the wine is just a bonus. Something not a lot of people know about Chad? He will soon be a licensed private pilot!

Project Experience

Joe LaCroix, PE

Senior Associate | Civil Engineer

An explorer at heart, Joe once had dreams of following in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark. He loves to travel to any new place, exploring and discovering the many experiences that the world has to offer. His calling here at home, though, is the creative design process of civil engineering. He was drawn to this line of work for the ability to take an idea from your mind, to paper, through construction, and into the built world. As a senior associate and project manager at BHB, he enjoys the ability to work on a wide variety of projects while also being involved in the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and the MATHCOUNTS program. Joe is also a graduate of the Professional Engineer Leadership Institute.

Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife Meridith, and is a scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout Troop.

Project Experience

Ana Garcia, CPA

Senior Associate | Controller

As a kid, Ana wanted to be a teacher or an astronaut. In high school, she made the decision to pursue an accounting career after taking her first accounting class. Ms. Garcia has over 29 years of accounting and reporting experience. Prior to joining BHB, she was the Controller for Verador and was responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting of all properties under management. Her experience ranges from working for a public accounting firm to a high-end retail development company.

Ms. Garcia earned a BBA degree from the University of Tulsa in 1993 and an MS degree with an Accounting concentration from the University of Kansas in 1994. She is a Certified Public Accountant. Ana is a member of the American institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas State Board of Public Accountants, and the Fort Worth Chapter of CPAs. She is also a Pastoral Council Member and President of the Women’s Organization at her church.

Outside of work, Ana enjoys riding her bike on the Trinity Trail, attending fundraisers, watching movies, and reading. Her go-to vacation spot is anywhere near a beach and likes going on cruises. She has two dogs and three cats.

Project Experience