Evolve Structural Design

View Original

Introducing the Evolve Team

Meet Our Crew

Fun to Work With. Multi-Talented. Passionate.

Since our conception in 2010, the Evolve Structural Design team has provided outstanding services to the architectural and construction industries, focusing on residential, multi-family and commercial buildings. Throughout design and construction phases, our dedication to collaboration and responsiveness has been found to be invaluable; not to mention our team is fun to work with, multi-talented, and passionate. When working with ESD, you get the best.


Here’s a bit more about us:

Sara Mickus, P.E., Principal: Sara has built Evolve Structural Design over the last nine years into one of the Western Slope’s most sought after structural engineering firms. Fourteen years of her career has been focused in the mountain regions of Colorado, acclimating designs to the complex site conditions and high snow loads often encountered. She has extensive expertise in multifaceted additions and renovations, and continually finds ways to tie in sustainable design concepts within her practice. Read Bio →

Recent Favorite ESD Project: While she has successfully completed high-end custom residential, tract housing, multi-family, office, retail, hotel, and historical preservation projects, one of her recent favorite ESD projects is the White Horse Springs Lane Renovation because it was Evolve’s first major renovation project done with KA Designworks in ArchiCAD’s shared platform, Teamwork.

Fun Fact: Sara grew up in the desert of Phoenix, AZ, skateboarding and hanging out by the swimming pool. Sara still loves to skateboard here in the Valley and also enjoys all that the mountains have to offer.


Steve Edmiston, P.E., S.E., Senior Engineer: Steven has more than fifteen years of experience in light gage metal stud, wood, masonry, structural steel and concrete design throughout wind and seismic regions of various magnitudes. His contributions to structural engineering have extended across the nation and around the world with mixed-use, mid-rise, and high-rise construction. Read Bio →

Favorite ESD Project: Steve strives to add value to every project by selecting innovative, cost-saving structural systems and by attentively addressing design details and project constructability. His favorite ESD Project is Little Woody Creek because it required significant foundation underpinning and a well thought out constructable design to achieve the lower level basement expansion.

Fun Fact: Outside of the office, Steve enjoys four wheeling, and is currently building a tiny home.


Brian Rossiter, P.E., Senior Project Manager: Brian has extensive experience and a strong educational background in custom residential, commercial, government, education, and industrial buildings. He is very conscientious and explores all options before selecting the most efficient and cost-effective structural system. Read Bio →

Fun Fact: Brian enjoys the outdoors and likes to hike, cycle, paddle and shoot. He also likes to cook and watch movies with his wife.


Heidi Hendricks, E.I., Project Engineer: Heidi is a native of Carbondale, Colorado and has a passion for working on local projects that enrich the community. Heidi grew up in the construction industry and started out her career with eight years of field experience. After gaining an appreciation for the behavior of structures through the construction trades, she engaged herself in the structural engineering industry. Read Bio →

Favorite ESD Project: Her favorite project with ESD is Little Woody Creek because it was one of the most complicated, design intensive, renovations she has worked on since working in the Valley. The necessary coordination between all disciplines was impressive.

Fun Fact: When she is not working, Heidi likes to read, ride horses, play classical piano, hunt, hike, travel, dance, eat good food and drink cheap beer.


Dustin Wheatley, P.E., Project Engineer: Dustin comes to ESD from the Midwest, and has a variety of structural engineering experience in the industrial, commercial and civic sectors, as well as a passion for effective use of technology in the building design process. His background and familiarity with site construction practices enhances his ability to visualize how the structures will come together in the field, while designing in the office. Read Bio →

Favorite ESD Project: His favorite ESD project has been the Starwood Fire Substation with CCA. It was a fun project with unique challenges, and a great team that communicated well.

Fun Fact: Dustin’s favorite pastime is reading about and keeping up to date on developments in theoretical physics.


Nolan Colucci, E.I., Design Engineer: Nolan moved to the Roaring Fork Valley from Victor, New York. He worked as a carpenter on heavy civil projects including bridge work, designing a new hybrid mooring line system for wind turbines, and designing a 16,000 s.f. building with a column free interior and an internal traveling hoist capable of traveling the entire floor area.. Nolan is currently working towards his Master of Science in Structural Engineering. Read Bio →

Favorite ESD Project: His favorite project at ESD is Lot 7 Double Bar X with Zone-4 Architects. This project had challenging dimensions that provided ample opportunities to use the three main structural materials - steel, concrete and wood - including both moment and braced frames to support the building laterally.

Fun Fact: Nolan might only be 25 years old, but he enjoys eating unfrosted (yes UNfrosted) shredded wheat. He also believes that shipping containers would make great homes.


Terri McCarthy, Administrative Assistant: Terri has over 30 years of experience in customer service, office administration, and bookkeeping, and has worked in the health insurance, defensive driving, and construction industries. Read Bio →

Favorite ESD Project: Her favorite ESD project to see was the Kelly Residence project, a residential property in Aspen that replaced a 1980’s two story home into a welcoming, beautiful modern house with an amazing custom staircase featuring cable railings running up the length of it.

Fun Fact: Terri has been riding her own motorcycle for 25 years, currently riding a 2008 Electra Glide Harley Davidson. She also used to be a dog trainer and “loves the pooches!”