Certifications earned
Matthew Vinopal, a supervisor in Ayres Associates’ aerial
mapping group, recently earned two major certifications
as he advances his credentials and capabilities within the
geospatial community. Vinopal is Ayres Associates’ second
certified photogrammetrist and the firm’s first certified
mapping scientist in lidar (light detection and ranging).
He also is a GIS Institute-certified geographic information
system professional.
Vinopal’s photogrammetry and lidar
certifications are administered by the
American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing. Vinopal qualified for
the certifications by recently passing the
exams for each, as well as documenting
at least six years of photogrammetry
experience and three years of lidar
experience and providing four references. Vinopal has 18
years of professional experience, 17 of which have been
with Ayres Associates. He holds a bachelor of science in
geography from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Promotion achieved
Chris Martin has been promoted to manager of municipal
design and construction engineering inspection in Ayres
Associates’ Southeast Operations. With more than 20
years of experience, Martin has proved his commitment to
responsively serving Florida municipalities.
Martin is an experienced environmental,
utility, and roadway engineer and project
manager. His utility expertise includes
water, wastewater, and reclaimed
pipelines. He has demonstrated expertise
on telecommunications, gas, power, and
fiber facility relocation design, including
providing detailed conflict analysis,
relocation design, and utility work scheduling. Martin
also has transportation construction experience. He has
provided design and inspection services on numerous state
and federal highway construction projects.
Martin is an experienced maintenance of traffic (MOT)/
temporary traffic control (TTC) designer. He has managed
Ayres’ TTC design group for the past 13 years and has
provided advanced MOT design services for five counties
and 14 cities in the Tampa Bay area. He has overseen
the development of hundreds of miles of TTC designs,
always bringing an understanding of the uniqueness of
each project site and the importance of accommodating
accessibility to businesses, residences, and critical
infrastructure.
22│ TRENDS
Martin is a registered professional engineer in Florida and
holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the
University of Florida. He is a certified underground utility
contractor and a certified building contractor.
New controller, HR director named
Lisa Pronschinske has been named controller for Ayres
Associates. She is responsible for accounting staff oversight;
monthly financial statements; revenue review; annual
budget, cash flow, and business plans; internal control
reviews; financial reporting; outside audit management;
and overhead cost analysis. Pronschinske also oversees
various accounting functions such as project costing, billing,
budgeting, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts
payable, cash, cash books, and payroll.
Pronschinske is a certified public
accountant and holds a bachelor of
science in accounting and a master
of science in accountancy, both from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Pronschinske has 13 years of previous
experience. She most recently worked as
an asset management business analyst
for Robert W. Baird & Company in Milwaukee and has
worked in the Chicago offices of Jackson National Asset
Management and KPMG, LLP.
Carie Sommer has been promoted to director of human
resources. She is responsible for maintaining a vital,
productive workforce by developing, implementing,
and coordinating activities connected with recruitment,
compensation, benefits, employee relations, government
compliance, health and safety, and training. These
efforts result in effective and efficient engagement of
Ayres Associates’ human resources and a stable group of
professionals energized to solve our clients’ challenges.
Sommer is a licensed professional in
human resources and has experience
in all aspects of the human resources
function, with emphasis on benefits,
employee relations, and policy/program
development. Sommer is a certified group
benefit associate. She holds a bachelor of
arts in human resources management/
management information systems from the University
of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She has 18 years of experience,
including 12 at Ayres Associates. She is involved in the
Chippewa Valley Society for Human Resource Management.