Team
About Our Team
During our 40 years in business, Persyn Engineering has grown to a production team of 12 full-time employees, working on small to large-scale design projects. Our team of four Licensed Professional Engineers has a collective experience of over 120 years in structural design.
Our Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) team consists of highly experienced operators trained in the latest Autodesk BIM software. The Engineers are also fluent in the latest drafting applications.
See below for more information about our individual team members.
President
Richard T. Gates, P.E.
President
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering,
with a Specialization in Structural Engineering
University of Texas, 2000
Licensing:
Licensed Professional Engineer -
Texas # 96513 Since December 2005
Affiliations:
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT)
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Experience and Background:
Richard is experienced with the design of structures utilizing a variety of building types, including but not limited to concrete ground-supported foundations, suspended foundation, cast-in-place concrete, concrete tilt wall, masonry, steel, and wood framing. A practical and hands-on Senior Structural Engineer, Richard is adept at successfully and effectively interacting with owners, developers, design professionals, and contractors. He has excellent project design abilities, which are demonstrated by a career history of well-performing, on schedule, and on-budget projects. He has particular experience in designing Sports and Athletic Facilities, Commercial Buildings (Retail, Office, and Mixed-Use), Churches and other religious institutions, and specializes in K-12 Education Construction Projects.
Richard lived several different places while growing up as part of a military family. He eventually landed permanently in Texas. After graduating from Marshall High School here in San Antonio, he moved to Austin to pursue his engineering degree at the University of Texas. Almost immediately after graduation in May 2000, he began work with Persyn Engineering, and obtained his Professional Engineering License a few years later. Since then, he has continued to grow in his profession, taking on projects of ever-increasing size, scope, and complexity.
Richard also stays very busy outside of work. He enjoys spending time with his wife Jodie and their three young children.
Vice President
Mike Bledsoe, P.E.
Vice President
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering,
University of Texas at Austin, 1998
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
University of Washington, Seattle, 2000
Licensing:
Licensed Professional Engineer – Texas # 103114
Since April 2009
Previously licensed in Washington State
Affiliations:
Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT)
San Antonio Chapter President, 2011
Texas Society of Professional Engineers
Background and Experience:
Mike has over 20 years of experience in Structural Engineering and Construction Administration. He is a native of San Antonio, graduating from Marshall High School. After four years in Austin, grad school took him to Seattle, where he enjoyed hiking around Mt. Rainier, and going to Mariners baseball games. After 10 years in Washington, he returned to San Antonio, where he puts his experience with wood design to work. He also has years of experience with steel, concrete, and masonry design. His design portfolio includes schools, office buildings, medical buildings, wineries, theme park projects, and new and renovated custom homes.
Mike is active in the local SEAoT chapter, and was president in 2011.
He currently lives in Boerne with his wife and their pet bearded dragon.
Principal
David Wonder, P.E.
Principal
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering,
with a Specialization in Structural Engineering
University of Texas, 1981
Graduate Studies in Prestressed Concrete Design
Licensing:
Licensed Professional Engineer – Texas #60670
Since June 30, 1977
Licensed Professional Engineer – Louisiana #38219
Since July 20, 2013
Affiliations:
Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI)
Background and Experience:
David has over 40 years of experience in Structural Engineering and Construction Administration. His experience includes the structural design and construction administration for numerous church projects, K-12 educational projects, commercial projects, retail projects, and custom homes. The projects consisted of various design elements, including conventional cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, structural steel, masonry, and wood framing.
David worked for a couple of local general contractors and a consulting engineering firm before landing at Persyn Engineering. He has been with Persyn almost 30 years, and is the previous owner of the firm, but is now looking to concentrate on larger, more challenging projects.
David lives in the Hill Country of Texas now, but was a local San Antonian since 1964. He went to high school in San Antonio, before attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his engineering degree. He lives in Pipe Creek with his wife Susan, and their three dogs. He enjoys fishing, relaxing at the lake house, and spending time with his three grown daughters.
Founding Principal
Steve G. Persyn, P.E.
Founding Principal
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering,
with a Specialization in Structural Engineering
University of Texas, 1971
Licensing:
Licensed Professional Engineer – Texas # 41512
Since June 30, 1977
Affiliations:
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Northside Lions Club
Building Board Member Archdiocese of San Antonio
Belgian-American Club of Texas
Background and Experience:
Steve has over 45 years of experience in Structural Engineering and Construction Administration. His experience includes the structural design and construction administration for numerous church projects, K-12 educational projects, commercial projects, and custom homes. Each project consisted of various design elements, including conventional cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, structural steel, masonry, and wood framing.
Steve received the Engineer of the Year Award from the Association of General Contractors of America, San Antonio Chapter, for a number of years.
Since the founding of Persyn Engineering with his wife Elaine in 1984, Steve and the staff have developed the firm into one of the leading Structural Engineering firms in San Antonio and the state of Texas.
Steve lives in Castroville, Texas now, but was a local San Antonian all his life. He went to high school in San Antonio, and to college at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio for two years, before attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his engineering degree.
Steve worked for a number of local general contractors and a consulting engineering firm before founding Persyn Engineering.