WHO WE ARE
LANCE V. LEHTO, PE, GE
PRESIDENT AND SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Lance V. Lehto is the majority owner, founder and senior managing principal of Columbia West. Mr. Lehto has more than 20 years of experience in the geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and special inspection fields. After obtaining his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University in 1995, Mr. Lehto worked in the private geotechnical consulting field as a field engineer, project engineer, and project manager. Since initial opening of operations in 1999, Mr. Lehto has guided Columbia West to consistent sustained growth while developing the company’s reputation for providing quality reliable professional services. Under Mr. Lehto’s direction, Columbia West has successfully provided geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and construction materials testing and inspection services for more than 1,500 projects in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Lehto is a licensed professional and geotechnical engineer, and serves as the company’s special inspection technical director.
DANIEL E. LEHTO, PE, GE
VICE PRESIDENT AND PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Daniel Lehto is a principal engineer and Columbia West’s Vice President. Mr. Lehto is a licensed professional and geotechnical engineer with over 15 years of experience. He has helped develop recent company growth utilizing innovative plans, solutions and management practices. Employee training, scheduling, organization, staff meetings and oversight are a few of Daniel’s responsibilities. Mr. Lehto is also the Geotechnical Services Project Manager for Columbia West. As the Geotechnical Services Project Manager, Mr. Lehto is responsible for bidding and cost estimating, business development, client care, project delegation and coordination and report preparation and review. Daniel’s extensive knowledge of local soil conditions has resulted in the successful management of more than 500 geotechnical projects since becoming head of the department in November 2003.
JASON L. ORDWAY, PE
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Jason L. Ordway is a Principal Engineer at Columbia West. Mr. Ordway is a licensed professional engineer with more than 12 years of experience in the geotechnical engineering field. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Portland State University in 2004, Mr. Ordway began work in the private geotechnical consulting field as a staff and project engineer. Mr. Ordway interned at Columbia West during portions of his undergraduate work performing laboratory testing and construction monitoring. Mr. Ordway currently manages geotechnical engineering and construction monitoring projects, and also serves as the company’s quality manager. Mr. Ordway also holds ICC special inspection certifications and manages special inspection projects.
BRETT A. SHIPTON, PE, GE
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Brett A. Shipton is a Principal Engineer at Columbia West and has been practicing geotechnical engineering in the Pacific Northwest for over 25 years. Mr. Shipton received his Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering from Oregon State University in 1997 and is a licensed professional engineer in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Mr. Shipton is also a registered Geotechnical Engineer in the state of Oregon. Throughout his career, Mr. Shipton has provided geotechnical engineering services for a variety of projects, including utility infrastructure, transportation, residential, and commercial developments where he specializes in seismic hazard assessments, geotechnical earthquake engineering, and foundation design. Mr. Shipton joined Columbia West’s geotechnical engineering team in 2022 where he manages a group of engineers, engineering staff, and technicians. Mr. Shipton is also part of the senior management team where he develops business growth strategies and actively participates in the firm’s hiring practices.
NAJIB A. KALAS, PE
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Najib A. Kalas is a Principal Engineer at Columbia West and has been practicing geotechnical engineering for over 23 years. During his career, Mr. Kalas has worked in the private geotechnical consulting field as a field engineer, project engineer, and project manager. He specializes in foundation design, earth retention, and geotechnical and geologic hazard evaluations. Mr. Kalas has provided geotechnical engineering services for transportation, residential, and commercial developments, parking structures, interchange and infrastructure improvements, landslides, and slope/embankment stabilization. Prior to joining Columbia West in 2022, Mr. Kalas oversaw field operations and training of field personnel for the geotechnical department of a prominent Pacific Northwest engineering firm. Mr. Kalas received his Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Al Baath University in 1993 and is a licensed professional engineer in Oregon and Washington.