MEET OUR TEAM
Who We Are
Balter has a diverse group of talented individuals with backgrounds that allow us to tackle any problem. Find out who we are .
LORI BALTER
President
EDWARD BALTER
Executive Vice-President
ENGINEERING
JAY WHITTLE, PE, PG
Technical QA Review and Senior Consultant
After 8,000+ projects throughout the country, Jay still finds Geotechnical Engineering and Construction to be exciting. He especially enjoys solving the ever-changing hidden challenges that arise underground. Jay and his wife love Rock N’ Roll and Boogie-Woogie Blues, and dancing a little East Coast and West Coast Swing! In calmer moments, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, and bird-watching in their woods. After his Vietnam service, his avocation has become studying all things military.
JEREMY COOPER, PE
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Jeremy has been working as a geotechnical and materials testing engineer here in Maryland for the last three decades. His passion is to solve complex issues, resulting in cost effective designs and innovative construction methods.  Mr. Cooper has performed peer reviews of geotechnical designs, and has served as an expert witness in several geotechnical and construction related failures. Jeremy enjoys a busy life with four children, his wife BeeJay, and their Schnoodle and Labradoodle.
KRIS CRIST, PE, PG
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Kris joined Balter as a geotechnical engineer in 2002 from Southern California, where he began his career. Since joining Balter, he has worked on many exciting projects including new airport terminals and runways, government facilities, and roads and bridges. With a background from the University of Delaware in geology and geophysics he still finds time to be in the field with the drill crews. Outside of work, Kris enjoys spending time with his wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs, as well as watching baseball and traveling the country.
Emily Poole
Project Geologist
Emily joined Balter as a Geologist shortly after obtaining her degree from University of Arizona. Her experience with Balter has been providing geologic studies, geotechnical engineering evaluations and reports, overseeing large scale construction projects as a certified engineering technician, conducting materials laboratory testing, subsurface explorations borehole logging, and environmental water sampling.
MATERIALS LABORATORY
Samuel Svoboda, GIT
Geologist/Environmental Specialist/Materials Laboratory Services
Sam joined Balter in 2020 and has more than 7 years of professional experience in the geotechnical and geo-environmental industry. He has a degree in Geology from University of Georgia and is WACEL and ACI Laboratory certified. Sam participates throughout the office with unique assignments offering his unique expertise.
Ashely Fernandes, GIT
Geologist/Materials Laboratory Services
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Asheley is an honor's graduate and laboratory geologist with a background in Research and Field Services prior to joining The Robert B. Balter Company. With a degree from University of Maryland, she has WACEL certifications to conduct the comprehensive testing with Balter. Ashley oversees conventional and computerized sophisticated materials laboratory practices, laboratory reporting, and maintains documentation and certifications to fulfill accreditation qualifications.
QA/QC AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
TONY LORD, MSI
Quality Assurance Supervisor/ Project Representative
Originally from Ohio, Tony moved to Maryland in the 1960's and started working The Robert B. Balter Company in 1978 after attending University of Maryland. He took a liking to the fast paced and challenging environment of large construction projects, and continues to do so to this day. He is passionate about quality assurance, especially on large and complex projects. In his spare time, Tony enjoys playing guitar, target shooting, fitness, and spending time with his granddaughters.
David Smith
Senior Inspector/ Special Inspections
David offers 30 years providing Construction Materials Field and Laboratory Testing, Special Inspections, and QA/QC Inspection and Testing and experience in the general construction industry, and include utility backfill; earthwork, foundation inspection shallow and deep systems, storm water management; structural and CIP concrete; asphalt and concrete paving; stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, materials testing and inspection, CIPP, and milling and resurfacing paving restoration operations and reinforcing steel. As a Special Inspector, Mr. Smith is involved with detail, documentation, meeting participation, and oversight commensurate with IBC and Agency requirements. As a Field Construction Representative, he monitors and reports on Contractors Quality Control program and their staff, noting deficiencies in his Daily Reports.
