Robert P. Arias, P.E.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Texas Registered Professional Engineer License #49839.
Robert has been in the engineering business since 1977 and has spent much of his career providing geotechnical engineering and materials testing services in Central and South Texas for commercial, industrial and residential developments. Mr. Arias has also provided geotechnical services in other states, Europe and the Middle East. He formed Arias & Associates, Inc. in January 1996.
Dexter Bacon, P.E.
Senior Vice President
Dexter earned his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a Texas Registered Professional Engineer License #54560. Dexter began his geotechnical engineering career in 1978; he has project experience throughout Texas with most experience concentrated in Central and South Texas, the Texas Gulf Coast, and the Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Bacon holds a U.S. patent on a movement activated water injection system (MAWIS) for stabilizing residential foundations on expansive soils.
Mr. Bacon has served as the geotechnical engineer for several large projects including the Las Brisas Power Plant in Corpus Christi, the U.S.-Mexico Border Fence and the Progreso International Bridge in the Rio Grande Valley, the San Antonio River Improvements Projects in San Antonio, and numerous large commercial and institutional developments. Marine project experience includes slope stability studies, soft soil improvement, bulkheads, and mooring and breasting structures. He has extensive experience in various deep foundation types for bridges and high-rise structures including driven concrete and steel piling, drilled shafts, augered pressure grouted piles and deWaal type foundations. Dexter also has wide-ranging experience in evaluation of expansive soil problems in Texas and has performed numerous forensic studies for buildings and pavement.
Spencer A. Higgs, P.E.
Director of Engineering
Spencer earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer (License #90172).
Mr. Higgs oversees the technical quality of Arias’ geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing and engineering services. He has provided geotechnical and construction materials testing services since 1997. His geotechnical experience includes site improvement for very soft, compressible soils, subsurface drainage systems, rock cuts and stability, slope stability, forensic analysis, deep and shallow foundations, soil treatment and stabilization, retaining walls, and rigid and flexible pavements. His construction materials experience includes earthwork, concrete, masonry, reinforcing steel, structural steel and asphalt testing for specifications compliance; testing of native and treated soils; and foundation inspections.
Aurea M. Martinez, P.E.
Geotechnical Engineer
Aurea received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer (License #104705) and began her career in geotechnical engineering in 2004.
Mrs. Martinez endeavors to make sure that geotechnical projects are completed on time and within budget. Aurea’s geotechnical project experience includes single-story and multi-story buildings for single-family, multi-family, commercial, educational, and institutional purposes; transportation projects including roadways and bridges; drainage features; water impoundment structures including detention basins and lakes; and subsurface utility improvements including new and rerouted alignments for water and sewer lines.
Christopher M. Szymczak, P.E.
Director of Construction Materials Engineering and Testing
Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer (License #86396). He has provided construction materials testing and engineering services as well as geotechnical engineering services since 1995.
Mr. Szymczak is well versed and experienced with field and laboratory testing for soil, aggregate, concrete, asphalt, structural steel including welds and bolting, and masonry. His geotechnical engineering background provides a sound basis for materials specifications and the need for construction materials to meet project-specified requirements. Chris’ project experience includes commercial, industrial, residential, transportation and infrastructure projects. His background also includes structural foundation and framing analysis and design, civil design as well as flexible and rigid pavement design.
René Ramirez
Construction Materials Engineering and Testing Services Department Manager
René has worked in construction materials testing since 1979, beginning as a field technician. Mr. Ramirez has been managing testing services for more than 20 years. His technical experience includes observing concrete and concrete reinforcement placement for both rebar and pre-stressed/post-tensioned cables and inspecting drilled pier installation to verify proper bearing stratum, excavation conditions, reinforcement placement and shaft dimensions. René's experience also includes compaction testing of earthwork by nuclear density gauge, sand cone, rubber balloon and drive cylinder methods and inspecting structural steel fabrication and erection. René has extensive experience in paint and coating applications for thickness and surface preparation as well as inspection and testing asphaltic concrete. Mr. Ramirez understands the quality control and assurance role and sense of urgency required during the construction process.
Charles Gallagher
Construction Materials Engineering and Testing Services Department Project Manager
Charlie has been providing construction materials testing and observation on Texas transportation and other construction projects since 1965. He is considered an expert in asphalt and concrete paving and is regularly relied upon to help resolve pavement mix design and placement problems. Mr. Gallagher is very familiar with local, state and federal transportation requirements and is a valuable member of any project team.
Jeremy M. Arias
Director of Information Technology
Jeremy provides leadership towards the company’s use of technology. He is instrumental in helping our company excel in service to our customers. Mr. Arias has been in the IT field since 1996 and endeavors to assure that Arias resources including facility infrastructure, telecommunications, and general information technology operations assist Arias in achieving its corporate mission. Under his guidance, Arias has developed a project management system to improve service to our customers.
