Our Staff

Mr. Barella produces maps and spatial analysis based on GIS, CAD, and remote sensing data. Educated at the University of Pittsburgh in geology, advanced geographic information systems, and aerial remote sensing, Mr. Barella can create an assortment of products to support engineering decision-making.

Mr. Columbus is a Professional Engineer responsible for assisting in the administration of various water distribution, stormwater management, wastewater and municipal projects.

Over the course of two years with a previous engineering firm, Mr. Columbus was involved with numerous stormwater quality regulation projects. He was responsible for sizing, feasibility and cost analysis of structural Best Management Practices for land development and underground detention and retention basins.

Mr. Finkbeiner was the systems designer for SCADA and non-process control systems installed during the construction of a new water treatment plant, expansion of an existing water treatment plant with more than 20 remote sites, and a complete instrument/control system replacement for a large water treatment plant with more than 12 remote sites.

Mr. Finkbeiner has been involved with system design and specification for control integrations of systems including chemical storage and feed, UV disinfection, pump and motor control, instrumentation, analyzers, telemetry, generator control system panels, power quality monitoring, motor protection, surveillance, card access, voice over IP, alarm and notification, managed fiber optic networking, as well as remote site communication and connectivity.

Mr. Finkbeiner has been involved with projects concerning control system design for a large wastewater headworks facility, SBR expansion and SCADA upgrade of an existing wastewater treatment plant, a new SCADA system and packaged filter system replacement with chemical feed upgrades at an existing water treatment plant, and customizing functional descriptions for the implementation of Chapter 109 compliance requirements.

As a Process Automation Designer, Mr. Finkbeiner is responsible for the coordination of requirements pertaining to SCADA integration and process control systems for water/wastewater projects.  In that capacity, he is involved with the design of PLC control panels and network system architectures, as well as the development of functional descriptions for control system solutions.

Mr. Fischman joined the staff of Bankson Engineers in 2009.  He is responsible for obtaining the necessary permits required by state and local agencies in order to proceed with water, wastewater and land development projects.  In that capacity, he’s involved in the design and implementation of erosion and sedimentation control plans as well as the delineation of wetlands found on project sites.  He spent his first year with Bankson Engineers in the field, inspecting water and wastewater projects in Armstrong, Fayette and Washington Counties.  In addition to his permit responsibilities, Mr. Fischman is involved in a wide range of municipal studies including flow monitoring, Wasteload Management Reports, and Consumer Confidence Reports. He is also involved in completing applications and disbursements for various Federal, State and local funding agencies, including PENNVEST, USDA-RUS, DCED, CDBG and the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Fischman’s complete résumé is available upon request.

Mr. Heh is an Engineer-In-Training responsible for assisting in the design and administration of many types of water distribution, stormwater management, wastewater and municipal projects.

Mr. Heh has experience as an intern in wastewater plant management with a Municipal Authority as well as experience as an intern in environmental remediation of contaminated drinking wells.

Mr. Howard has been with Bankson Engineers since 1976. He supervises all of the firm’s field services employees including land surveying and construction inspection activities. Mr. Howard’s duties include serving as the primary contact to several water and sewer authorities as well as several municipalities. In that capacity, he provides advice regarding operations, maintenance, planning for future development and design for capital improvement projects. Mr. Howard also specializes in trouble-shooting and is involved in most of the firm’s leak detection projects. He is also responsible for negotiating and obtaining rights of way for public utility construction projects. Mr. Howard is an experienced land surveyor and has designed numerous land developments. He has performed many property and topographical surveys and is also experienced in deep mine surveying. Mr. Howard’s full résumé is available upon request.

Mr. Krause has spent his entire professional career with Bankson Engineers, having joined the firm in 1976, and has served successfully in the capacity of design engineer, project engineer and Principal. His experience includes design and administration of construction projects primarily related to drinking water and wastewater. As Consulting Engineer to some of the firm’s largest clients, he has designed treatment plants, pumping stations, water storage reservoirs, water and sewer lines, dams, and various municipal projects. He has completed various hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and other studies required to analyze the needs of water and wastewater systems. Mr. Krause’s full résumé is available upon request.

Mr. Moore joined the staff of Bankson Engineers in 1999 after four years of experience with other civil engineering consulting firms. He first gained experience with civil engineering projects working for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a summer intern during his college years, evaluating pavement, shoulder and drainage conditions. He is responsible for the design and administration of various drinking water, wastewater and municipal projects. Mr. Moore’s current duties include the design of water distribution systems, pumping facilities, water storage tanks and reservoirs, sanitary sewerage facilities, and creation of studies and reports. He has considerable experience in preparation of sewerage system feasibility studies. Mr. Moore’ s complete résumé is available upon request.

Mr. Poorbaugh is an Engineer-In-Training responsible for assisting in the design and administration of many types of water distribution, stormwater management, wastewater and municipal projects. 

Mr. Stephens is a Registered Professional Engineer responsible for assisting in the administration of various water quality projects including stormwater management, as well as municipal water and wastewater treatment and infrastructure design. Since 2017, he has performed rate analyses, completed supporting calculations for stormwater management, and assisted with NPDES stormwater permitting applications and erosion and sedimentation control plans. Over the course of two previous internships with the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Mr. Stephens was involved with numerous water quality regulation projects. He assisted with the EPA sponsored Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey, collecting infrastructure data and helping to secure funding through PENNVEST for various future capital improvements across the Commonwealth, as well as in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Program, handling NPDES stormwater permits and evaluating Best Management Practices for land development projects.

Mr. Szakelyhidi has participated in a wide variety of water, wastewater and municipal engineering projects. He has been responsible for the design and administration of a number of water line projects, water pump stations, water storage tanks, water treatment plant improvements, meter pit interconnections, wastewater collection systems, wastewater treatment, storm water collection, and municipal parks. Mr. Szakelyhidi's full résumé is available upon request.