Our Story
After being in the industry for years, we felt there was a need for a single-source firm to design, permit, develop land, and furnish and erect steel buildings.
The foundation of the company was built around our engineering experience. All of the owners are registered professional engineers encompassing multiple engineering disciplines.
We’re not pushy salespeople. We want to make sure your project makes sense and fulfills your needs.
We take pride in designing a building with a lot of input from the owner, as well as the end-users who will occupy the building. The design is an iterative process to ensure the final product is exactly what you desire.
Whether you’re a small business owner looking to build a single store, a manufacturer wanting to build a warehouse, a Marcellus midstream operator who needs a compressor building, or a volunteer fire department chief who wants to replace their fire station, we will work closely with you to achieve your building dream.
Our Team
Red Direct came into existence through the shared vision of three seasoned professional engineers, each deeply committed to the world of construction. Their shared vision was to establish a single-source firm that seamlessly integrated various skills to provide comprehensive support for construction services under one roof. Drawing from their extensive industry experience, the founders joined forces to create Red Direct in 2020, driven by their passion for delivering exceptional construction solutions.
Ed Hirzel, P.E.
President / Founder
Over the past two decades, Ed has played a pivotal role in the design and oversight of more than 400 buildings. These structures span a diverse spectrum of industries, including commercial and retail establishments, both light and heavy industrial buildings, as well as water and wastewater treatment facilities. Ed earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He is professionally registered in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. He also is a U.S. Army Veteran.
Keith Straight, P.E.
Vice President,
Civil Division / Founder
With over 15 years of professional experience in civil engineering, Keith has made significant contributions to the water, wastewater, and municipal industries. He earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Youngstown State University and holds professional registrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Keith’s primary areas of specialization encompass project management, design, and permitting, as well as a profound proficiency in water and wastewater infrastructure and municipal engineering.
Marty Micko, P.E.
Vice President,
Electrical Division / Founder
Marty brings to the table a wealth of knowledge gained from more than three decades of experience in the water and wastewater design field. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown and has honed his expertise in electrical and site layout design. Marty holds professional licenses across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.
In addition to the founders, Red Direct has assembled a dynamic team of individuals with diverse backgrounds and qualifications including project managers, designers, administrative staff, and construction experts. This collaborative and multidisciplinary team is the driving force behind our commitment to deliver both design and construction services, providing clients with a unified solution.
Al Winkler
Civil / Site Design
Al has over 30 years of experience in civil design and surveying. He specializes in both the municipal and private site design. He holds a B.S. degree in Landscape Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University.
Brian Kimmel
Structural Design
Brian previously worked as a structural detailer for a steel building manufacturer. He is the resident expert on PEMBs and is responsible for quality assurance for all projects. He has an A.S. degree in Specialized Technology from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute.
Brooke Hamberger, P.E.
Environmental Services
Throughout her career, Brooke has evaluated, developed, and designed many stormwater management plans, as well as provided general services during construction. She has a B.S. from Geneva College in Environmental Engineering.
Chris Mangum
Construction Management
With over 20 years in the commercial/industrial fields, Chris brings extensive knowledge of PEMB design and erection. He has a B.S. from Point Park University in Civil Engineering Technology and an A.S. from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in Specialized Technology.
Dale Schaltenbrand
Commercial Electrical Design
Dale has over 20 years of experience in the electrical design field. He enhances our electrical department with his background in the commercial and healthcare industries. He has an A.S. in Architectural Drafting from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute.
Dave Langley
Estimation Services
Dave has brought over 25 years of experience in the construction financing industry, as well as 19 years of experience in the commercial, industrial, and government industries. He has a B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University in Economics.
Derrick Whitlatch
Municipal Electrical Design
Derrick has over 25 years of experience in the water and wastewater design industry. He received an A.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology and an A.S. in Specialized Technology from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute.
Donna Louis
Project Support
Donna’s over 25 years of administrative experience in the commercial engineering field has made her a key asset. She provides back-office administrative support and meeting and schedule coordination for current and upcoming projects.
Duncan Nickles, P.E.
Site Development Services
Duncan has worked over 25 years in the civil engineering field, with a strong background in design and coordination for civil projects in industrial, commercial, and wastewater. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.
Greg Arch, E.I.T.
Civil / Site Services
With over 10 years of experience in the civil engineering field, Greg’s primary focus has been on land development and stormwater design. He has a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown in Civil Engineering Technology.
Jim Andrulonis
Architectural Design
Jim has over 25 years of experience with drafting architectural renderings and design of various renovation/construction documents in multiple industries. He has an A.S. from the Dean Institute of Technology in Construction Engineering Drafting
Josh England, P.E., C.B.S.I.
structural Services
Josh has over 15 years of experience in the structural design industry for commercial, industrial, and residential. He has a B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University in Structural Design and Construction Engineering, as well as a B.S. from Junita College in Engineering Physics.
Mark Stokes
Industrial Electrical Design
Mark has over 10 years of experience in the water and wastewater electrical industry for power distribution. He has attended the Community College of Allegheny County focusing on Computer Aided Drafting.
Michele Palma
Project Coordination
Michele has brought over 15 years of experience in the commercial and construction industries. Her background includes marketing, client relations, purchasing, and project scheduling, as well as being the liaison between the project managers & vendors.
Nicole Rella, E.I.T.
Municipal Services
Nicole has a B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University in Biological Engineering, as well as Environmental Resource Management. She brings over five years’ experience in E&S control design and construction stormwater management.
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