TES Engineering Adds Staff to Support Continuing Growth
Posted on Thu, Oct 19, 2006
CLEVELAND, OH — Oct. 19, 2006 — TES Engineering, a national consulting mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering firm, has added four staff members in support of its continuing growth. Revenues have nearly tripled in the past five years, additional increases of more than 70 percent are projected by 2010, and the Firm recently moved to larger quarters.
Michael (Mike) Ruff, P.E., E.E., joins TES as Director of Electrical Engineering. Previously Managing Member of Cleveland-based KME Consulting, LLC, Mike brings KME’s clients and commitment to quality to the Firm. His responsibilities include oversight of all TES electrical engineering and supervision of its engineers and designers, client consulting and new business development. Mike’s 24-year career includes design-build electrical engineering and consulting for numerous retail tenant build outs and national restaurant chains, which complements TES’ retail focus. He also has done work for the Cleveland Clinic and other medical facilities, retirement communities, and industrial properties.
Mike’s design-build experience fits with that of partners Lawrence (Larry) Thomas, P.E. and Steve Chase, and the unique perspective to which they attribute TES’ success. “Like Steve and I, Mike has a hands-on background in construction that enables us to provide dependable guidance to our clients and design constructible documents that bring out a higher quality bid, create better competition, generate fewer change orders, and provide a shorter time-to-completion,” he says. “Mike is a welcome addition to TES, and we’re excited by the opportunity to offer his previous KME electrical clients our full complement of MEP services.”
Two former KME staffers accompany Mike in joining TES. Bob Sotock brings 16 years of experience to his position as Electrical Engineer, and Diana Adipietro adds her 6-year design/drafting background to TES as Designer.
Another key staff addition is Bob Schneider, M.E., who joins TES as Project Manager. A mechanical engineer who is well-versed in all types of MEP systems, Bob is a 32-year construction industry veteran with expertise in both plan-spec consulting and design-build contracting. He also has in-depth knowledge of cost-effective design alternatives from his experience as a manufacturers’ representative for MEP equipment. His responsibilities include participation in TES’ peer-review process, on-site construction observation to ensure conformance to design documents, and internal guidance of engineers to help develop drawings that clearly communicate real-world installation needs for each job.
“Steve and I worked with Bob earlier in our careers, and we’re excited to have him on the TES team,” says Larry Thomas. “His hiring also furthers our commitment to staff our office with experienced construction pros—when your MEP consultant has a solid understanding of construction, you save money.”

TES Engineering partners Steve Chase (left) and Larry Thomas, P.E., (right) welcome Mike Ruff, P.E., E.E., as Director of Electrical Engineering.

Bob Schneider, M.E., joins TES Engineering as Project Manager.