Who we are:  Through our God-given talents, education, and experiences, we strive to serve our clients and employees with excellence and an attitude of partnership.

Martin graduated from Appalachian State University’s Building Science program with a concentration in Sustainable Building Systems. He also gained a couple years of experience working with a local general contractor while attending Appalachian.

Martin began working with Areté Engineers in 2017. Since being hired he has created plans for various residential remodels, home additions, and new construction projects. In addition, he has completed structural assessments and is also one of the primary bridge inspectors for Areté Engineers and is certified as a SPRAT Level 1, Rope Access Worker and is a certified bridge safety inspector.

When he is not working, you can find Martin rock climbing at any one of the many great outdoor climbing areas in and around Boone, NC. When weather does not allow for climbing outside you can find him at the local climbing gym where he volunteers his extra time as a climbing route setter.

Martin lives in Boone, NC.

Turner began working with Areté Engineers in 2015. During this time, he has prepared plans for various construction/rehabilitation projects including residential and bridge construction, worked as a bridge inspector, developed structural assessment reports, and plays a role in marketing and advertising for Areté. Turner is also the lead fabricator and shop manager for our sister company Areté Structures; where we design, manufacture, and deliver pre-fabricated pedestrian bridges. In 2018, he was responsible for the fabrication of over a dozen FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) pedestrian truss bridges, with lengths ranging from 25-feet all the way to 80-feet, which were then shipped out to various locations throughout the U.S. including a multitude of national and state parks.

Turner graduated from Appalachian State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Construction Management along with a minor in Business. He developed a strong interest in the construction industry while attending Watauga High School, where he gained experience in residential construction, metal fabrication, and worked on various projects under Watauga’s construction program. During high school, he joined Skills USA, a national organization in which students compete against one another in their respected technical fields. Turner was awarded the state championship in Carpentry his senior year and went on to compete at the national level.

In addition to Areté, Turner is a Senior Ski Patroller at Appalachian Ski Mountain where he enjoys skiing and keeping people safe.

Turner lives in Boone, NC.

Michael earned a B.S.C.E. from University of Illinois. His specialization was structures and foundations. He started several of his own businesses, and then moved with Annie and their children to semi-rural North Carolina, where he became a Chemistry and Physics teacher, while simultaneously pastoring two small historic churches.

Michael and Annie lived in Raleigh, NC for one year, where he taught a course in Civil Engineering Technology for Wake Tech. Michael and Annie moved to Boone to help start a campus church with friends, and soon met their neighbors, Shawn and Janet, who then invited Michael to do structural engineering assessments on homes, and design projects. He is presently earning his P.E. while doing Arete’s structural assessments. What Michael appreciates most about Arete is the atmosphere of excellence and freedom; serving the public with excellence and providing a needed service to this community.

Michael and his wife Annie have four grown children in their 20’s. They were missionaries and teachers in the Dominican Republic and Haiti for nearly a decade, where they worked in an orphanage, taught and administrated schools, and worked on engineering projects like “Design and build a park-like setting with benches and pavement, and integrated basketball and volleyball courts” – oh, and build all the equipment from scratch with scrap metal available in a small Haitian town! They also met their youngest daughter there, who now loves helping to raise children without parents.

David graduated from Appalachian State University’s Building Science program with a concentration in Architectural Technology and Design. While attending Appalachian State, David was the Project Architect for ASU Design + Build Competition team and Treasurer for the ASU Chapter of American Institute of Architecture Students. He also received his OSHA 10-Hour Safety certification while in school.

David began working for Areté Engineers in the spring of 2018 as a designer/drafter for residential and commercial design projects. During his time with the company, David has worked on deck expansion/remodels, foundation repair plans, minor structural assessments, bridge inspection, full structural residential design, and retaining wall design.

David will soon be attending graduate school to earn his M. Arch. When David is not behind his computer, he can be found focusing on his golf game and hiking through the mountains when it is not raining or snowing in Boone.

John has over 14 years of water resources engineering experience in the federal regulatory, transportation, commercial, and residential sectors. He has extensive experience working with county and state agencies, as well as developers and contractors. He is currently a professional engineer licensed in North Carolina. In June of 2013, John successfully completed the Design of Erosion and Sediment Control Plans Examination to become a certified erosion control designer.

John graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the North Carolina State University in 2009. After graduation, he went to work for private consulting firms performing flood risk analysis under contract by FEMA for the National Flood Insurance Program. He soon began expanding his expertise to include hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analysis for North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) projects, including bridge, roadway drainage, and erosion & sediment control plans. In the last few years, John’s focus has shifted towards floodplain permitting in support of stream restoration and community greenway projects. Additionally, John has provided engineering support under FEMA’s Levee Analysis and Mapping Program (LAMP) for community levees along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and Portneuf River near Pocatello, Idaho. Since joining Areté Engineers in early 2023, he’s provided floodplain permitting support for a variety of bridge replacement and residential projects, and Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for dam owners in North Carolina. John resides in Asheville, NC with his wife, Linda.