Trusted Engineering, Surveying, Planning, & Geology Consultants

Advancing the quality of life for generations to come

LACO is a respected leader in their industry throughout Northern California and will make a valuable addition to your project.

Because of their expertise and professionalism, we would recommend this firm to any team.

The County recovery team and I are consistently impressed with LACO’s quality of work. [They] are responsive, bright, tech-savvy, enthusiastic, efficient, and effective.

We used LACO Associates to help us modify our winery use permit. The team there is properly resourced, knowledgeable, and well connected which helped us navigate through the various hurdles. We recommend LACO to anyone looking for permit planning, engineering and design expertise.

Civil Engineering

Planning Permitting

Engineering Geology

Setting the stage for seamless development, infrastructure, and environmental projects

LACO Associates utilizes decades of local experience and the complementary strengths of our experts to deliver professional consulting services. Serving Northern California for over 60 years, we’ve grown along with our communities, but what hasn’t changed since we opened our first office in 1954 is the personal connection to our clients. We are LACO – your trusted advisors.

Mike Nelson

Mike Nelson’s attention to detail and creative approach built his reputation as leader in the planning industry. Since assuming the duties of LACO President in 2016, those same skills have helped the company expand into a 4-office regional operation that maintains the mindset of personal attention to every project, large and small. That commitment to the firm and community led to a client describing him as “a man of integrity and honesty who is easy to work with through complex issues.” Mike also oversees business development and operations at LACO’s newest office in Chico.

President

Brad Thomas

LACO’s Vice President of Land Surveying, Brad Thomas was integral in the conceptual planning, design and construction of Windsor Town Green Village, a nationally recognized Smart Growth Mixed Use Land Development. In this photo Brad is in front of Phase One completed in 2002. This fifteen-year project is now a focal point for gatherings and pride in the community.

Vice President of Land Surveying

Kara A. Clower

As the Business Manager and Director of Human Resources for LACO Associates, Kara Clower leads the human resources, finance, and IT teams through implementation of the business strategy and plan, while maintaining the human element and getting results. She works directly with the firm’s leadership team to help create clarity, structure, and consistent communication and accountability.

Business Manager / Director of Human
Resources

Kevin Doble

As Director of Business Development, Kevin Doble brings a strong wheelhouse of skill to LACO’s leadership with a record of successfully managing complex projects in the North Bay region and surrounding counties. Kevin’s integrated approach to communities is supported by a special knowledge of jurisdictional ordinances, the ability to easily navigate land development challenges, and key relationships with public agencies. He is recognized for his involvement as an active member in both civic and community roles, as well as the attentive guidance and care he provides clients and staff members alike.

Director of Business Development

Christine Manhart

Principal/Geology Department Manager

Rod Wilburn

Rod Wilburn’s understanding of LACO’s services and application to our clients’ needs is based on hands-on experience. In short, he’s done it all, which serves the firm well in his role as Operations Manager on the corporate leadership team. He’s also Regional Manager of the Ukiah/Mendocino County team, which earned the Ukiah Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Year” award in 2019. Rod and his wife, Olivia, run a wildlife rescue that cares for injured and orphaned animals.

Operations Manager

Meghan Ryan

Ms. Meghan Ryan joined LACO in 2016 with ten years of professional land use planning experience. Her career started as a Planner for Humboldt County, where she focused primarily on management of the County’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) program and review of legal property descriptions. Ms. Ryan has experience in preparing staff reports and environmental review documents for a variety of other permit types, such as Conditional Use and Coastal Development Permits, Design Review, and Notices of Merger.

Planning Director

Chad Mosier

As Regional Manager of LACO South, Chad Mosier brings decades of Land Surveying and Civil Engineering experience to the region. In addition to being a professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer, he is certified as a Project Management Professional by the Professional Management Institute. It is this broad breadth of experience that allows him to support staff and help to keep projects on track and on budget. Mr. Mosier is as committed to creating a great place to work, where people can grow and prosper professionally, as he is to ensuring quality deliverables are completed on schedule.

LACO South Regional Manager

Working At LACO

We are always seeking top talent at LACO. Visit our careers page for more information on LACO’s family-friendly work culture, team approach, and employment opportunities.

· Hometown? Years in Profession? “Los Banos, Ca

Team Member Spotlight! Meet Max Hiken, Associate P

Team Member Spotlight! Meet Samantha Thomas, Assoc

Team Member Spotlight! We interviewed Lisa Alexand

Team Member Spotlight! We interviewed Alejandra Ru

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