Dan Krief, P.E. (CA C76041) (FL 99067), LEED AP
Founder & President
As President, Dan Krief is responsible for client contact, establishment of fees and schedules, supervision of engineering personnel, project design and production, overall project coordination and construction administration. Dan is passionate about delivering Excellence in all of DKE’s undertakings including top quality design work and outstanding customer services. He believes in “working smart”.
After graduating from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 2001, Dan began working in Southern California as a Civil Engineer with a leading Civil Design organization. After 16 years working with the company, in 2014, Dan left to follow his dream and opened his own design firm. Over the course of his career, Dan has completed over 300 projects. Dan recently obtained his Florida PE license and is looking to expand DKE’s services to the State of Florida.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, watching and playing sports and traveling.
Matt Plourde, P.E., QSP (C84893)
Principal
As Principal, Matt Plourde is responsible for office management, project management, design and production of drawings, project coordination, and construction administration.
After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA in 2012, Matt began working in Southern California as a Civil Engineer with a major Civil Engineering design company. Matt joined DKE at its very beginning, motivated by the desire to help shape the direction of the company and make a meaningful impact. With over 13 years of design and management experience, Matt has worked on over 150 projects in various sectors including residential, commercial, mixed-use, civic and education.
In his spare time Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, woodworking, and taking his dog on hikes.
Jessica Krief
HR Manager
Jessica started her career in the field of HR in 2009, after graduated from Columbia University with a M.A. in Social- Organizational Psychology.
After working for a leading General Contractor for over 6 years, Jessica made the transition to DKE in 2018, driven by the desire to develop important HR programs and initiatives from scratch and to make meaningful contributions as well as to enjoy a better work life balance. Jessica manages DKE’s recruiting efforts, performance management reviews, benefits, payroll and compensation, compliance, events, and whatever relevant projects come her way.
Jessica enjoys the laid back work atmosphere, friendly and fun company culture and flexible work schedule that DKE offers which allows her to spend quality time with her kids and take care of her family.
Sarah Sotelo
CAD Manager
As CAD Manager, Sarah Sotelo is responsible for the production and quality control of Construction Documents, using both Autocad and Civil 3D. Sarah oversees all drafting operations and works on developing and maintaining office wide CAD Standards.
After Graduating from ITT Technical Institute in 2000, Sarah began working with a leading national engineering firm and joined DKE in the spring of 2017. With 25 years of progressive experience, Sarah has worked on hundreds of projects ranging from Residential, Commercial, Government, Civic and Higher Education.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys family vacations, reading, running, photography and crafting.
Patrick Nevens
CAD Designer
After graduating from California State University, Northridge with a B.S. in Business, Patrick worked in the Film Production Industry. He decided to change course and completed the Drafting Production Design program at Los Angeles Harbor College. He began his career at DKE in 2018 as a CAD Designer where he is responsible for the production and quality control of construction documents.
In his free time, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, snowboarding, surfing, biking and boating. He enjoys the outdoors and living the beach lifestyle.
Matthew Gooden
Project Manager
After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 2019 with a BS in Civil Engineering, Matthew entered the General Contracting industry as a field engineer. Shortly thereafter, he found a passion for design, and transitioned into Land Development as a Design Engineer in the private sector.
As a Project Engineer at DKE, Matthew works on single family residential, multi-family residential, and mixed-use residential Projects. Matthew collaborates and coordinates with engineering consultants and coworkers, to ensure Projects move forward successfully. He enjoys the excitement that comes with a quickly growing Civil Engineering Firm.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys playing soccer, producing, and DJ’ing electronic music, and playing chess.
Jake Voge
Project Manager
After moving to Los Angeles from Kansas City, Jake completed his undergrad at Loyola Marymount University in 2021 with a BS in Civil Engineering and joined DKE in the months following. As a project engineer with 3 years of experience, Jake is working on development for residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Jake works closely with his Principals as well as other engineering consultants to go above and beyond client needs. Jake is excited to continue to grow and learn everyday and has been transitioning in the project manager role.
In his free time, Jake enjoys being exploring LA, cooking new foods, hiking, and spending the weekends at the beach.
Ruben Gandanger
Project Engineer
Ruben graduated with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from UCLA, after completing his studies in France at Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics (ESTP) in Paris. His academic background spans diverse areas of civil engineering, including traffic operations, geotechnical engineering, and structural mechanics. Ruben has gained hands-on experience through internships in project management and site operations, working on high-profile projects like the 2024 Paris Olympics and sustainable real estate initiatives.
Now, as a Project Engineer at DKE, Ruben contributes his expertise to civil engineering projects across multiple sectors. He collaborates with fellow engineers and consultants to ensure smooth project execution and always strives to exceed client expectations.
In his free time, Ruben enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and exploring his new passion for skydiving
Samuel Zaffran
Project Engineer
Samuel earned his Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA, following his Bachelor’s degree in Public Works and Civil Engineering from ESTP in Paris, France. His academic journey has equipped him with a robust foundation in civil engineering, water treatment, and infrastructure design. Samuel gained practical experience through multiple internships in design, project management, and site operations, where he contributed to innovative engineering solutions.
Now, as a Project Engineer at DKE, Samuel contributes his expertise to civil engineering projects across multiple sectors. He learns and collaborates with fellow engineers and consultants to ensure the best quality for the projects he’s working on and always strives to exceed client expectations.
During his free time, Samuel likes to practice sport, play guitar and enjoy family and friend time.