Bridger Engineers Inc. (BEI) takes pride in the number of advanced degrees and professional engineering licenses retained by the office, with six personnel maintaining P.E. registration in Montana, in addition to other registrations in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, New York, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  BEI encourages continuing education through seminars and participation in professional associations including:

• American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE
• Montana Society of Engineers, MSE
• American Concrete Institute, ACI
• International Conference of Building Officials, ICBO
• National Society of Professional Engineers, NSPE
• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

In addition, staff engineers volunteer with local educational groups and their activities, such as, Odyssey of The Mind, MathCounts, Speech and Debate, Engineers Without Borders, and the ASCE student chapter. 

BEI’s Project Management Approach                 
We believe our clients are better served by having an experienced and responsible professional in charge of the planning, design and construction of all projects.   All staff personnel are computer proficient and are responsible for their own correspondence and reports, lowering the number of layers of staff required to accomplish the various project tasks.  The time required for decision making is reduced and project communication is enhanced.  Proper planning coupled with practical and efficient design with an understanding of construction combine to make a better, more cost effective project.

Ed Matos, PE
Ed Matos co-founded Bridger Engineers, Inc. in 1995.  Leading as the President of BEI, Ed provides civil and structural engineering design, construction review, and serves in project management and planning roles on land development projects.
 
Ed obtained a BA in Mathematics at New York University (1972), before moving to Montana in 1974.  He spent ten years working as a general contractor in NW Montana, obtaining valuable construction experience that has shaped his practical approach to engineering.  In 1988, Ed received his BS in Civil Engineering from Montana State University and went on to obtain his MS in Civil Engineering (Structural) in 1990.  During the early years of BEI, Ed maintained his affiliation with the university by teaching at the MSU School of Architecture and in the Civil Engineering Department.

Ed is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Concrete Institute, and the International Conference of Building Officials.

Brad Ebel, PE
Born in Colorado, Brad’s family moved to the Bitterroot valley of Montana in 1973.  After completing his BS in Civil Engineering (1989) and MS in Civil Engineering (Structural emphasis, 1992) at Montana State University, he stayed in Bozeman and obtained his P.E. license in 1994.

A co-founder of Bridger Engineers, Brad Ebel is involved in all aspects of the design and construction of BEI projects.  His experience spans civil engineering, with the primary focus on structural engineering.  He has provided structural engineering services for: structural studies, analysis and rehabilitation design for existing and historical buildings; analysis and design of new buildings; construction administration; development of inspection and testing programs; and as an expert witness.  He has worked with diverse clients from non-profits and the public and private sector.

Brad is a licensed Professional Engineer in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.  He has taught courses in both the architecture and engineering programs at Montana State University.  He has also been active in several professional and community organizations.  Among other activities, he is a past President of the Montana Society of Engineers (NSPE), was State Coordinator for Mathcounts for several years, and was a Big Brother of the year.

Matt Edwards, PE
Originally from Minnesota, Matt moved to Bozeman in 1995 to attend Montana State University.  Four years later, he obtained his BS in Civil Engineering and joined the team at Bridger Engineers.  He obtained his MS in Civil Engineering (Structural) in 2001, and became a partner in Bridger Engineers in 2003.

Matt provides structural design and construction review and serves in management roles on numerous private and public projects.  His typical assignments include providing structural analysis and design of foundations, buildings, bridges and other structures; computer modeling of structures; structural and seismic evaluation and rehabilitation of existing buildings.

Matt is a licensed PE in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oklahoma and Utah. He retains membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Structural Engineers Association of Montana (SEAMT).

Melanie is involved in all aspects of the civil engineering projects at BEI including water and wastewater design, road design, storm water drainage, site planning and grading plans. She has extensive knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D. In addition to her civil experience, Melanie has worked in conjunction with planners and architects to provide planning services and has developed multiple subdivision and site plan applications at both the city and county levels.

Melanie is a registered Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Montana.