About Us

The Huron County Engineer's Office is composed of a small group of hard working employees, who probably are your neighbors and friends, that have a stake in the welfare of the county they live in.

They do a mixture of administrative, engineering, maintenance of infrastructure, equipment, roadway and bridge construction to make Huron County's transportation system safe, reliable and designed to handle the latest equipment that is ever increasing in size in our county's largest industry, Agriculture. The Huron County Engineer's office is responsible for the maintenance and repair of 223 miles of road, 389 bridges and with an annual budget of 4.8 million dollars. A responsibility that is equal to that of larger population counties, like Lucas County, which has 290 miles of road and 159 bridges, but with an annual budget of 89 million dollars.

So the challenge to the staff of the Huron County Engineer's Office is do more with less, and in the last 15 years, we have brought in 11 million dollars in bridge reconstruction funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission to successfully meet this challenge.

Our mission at the Huron County Engineer's Office is to keep the county transportation complex of roads and bridges at the highest level of maintenance and operation, and always building today, for a better tomorrow!

Profiles

Joe Kovach, P.E., P.S.
Huron County Engineer

Joe Kovach graduated of Youngstown State University with a (BE) Degree in Civil Engineering and a Ohio Registerd Professional Engineer & Surveyor.

Joe has over 30 years of both in the private and public sectors experiences which include: Chief Deputy Engr for Huron County, Trumbull County Engr's Project Manager, ODOT District 4 Planning Administrator / LPA Engr, Summit County Bridge Engineer / Project Manager, Mahoning County Bridge Engr./ Bridge Inspector, Republic Steel (LTV) Field Engr.& Environmental Engr., Michael Baker Jr. Inc. Municipal & Field Engr., ODOT District 4 Field Engr./Surveyor/ EIT

Joe is married to Rosemary and they have two grown children, Robert and Katie.

Carl Essex
Administrative Assistant to the Engineer

Carl has served in this capacity since 1993 under Larry McGlinchy and continued under Joe Kovach's helm.

Essex started in the construction industry as a young man, working as laborer out of the hall, working summers while in college at Ashland, and then full time afterward.

He worked a series of pipeline jobs across the country for six years, finally coming home to take his first public service position as Village Administrator for Grafton, Ohio, the first of a series of positions that included serving under County Engineer Larry Heit's tenure as AA from 1981 to 1988; the Rec and Park Director for Willard, Ohio: the Director for Regional Planning under the Huron County Commissioners, before taking the AA position under Heit; and Safety Service Director for the City of Bellevue under the administration of Mayor Don Tedhams.

Essex went back into the private sector for a while, working as a consultant and then for Price Construction, as Project Manager under the late Bob Price.

Carl Essex brings a vast amount of knowledge with him to his position in the Engineer's Office.

Bob Seidel
Project Inspector

Bob Seidel has an encyclopedic knowledge of construction and road construction, gained from years of work in the private sector as an operator and foreman before coming to the Highway Department in 1996.

He is married to Barbara and they have a son, Wesley.

Gary Gillen, P.S.
Manager, Engineering Department

Gary is a Registered Professional Surveyor who has worked for the engineer since 1989. He started out as a Survey Crew Chief and worked his way up to his current position as Engineering Manager. His duties include the delegation of work to personnel as well as his own involvement at various stages for bridge inspection, project inspection, survey work, roadway design and bridge design. Gary also coordinates projects for the county and other local governments with CEAO CSTP/LBR Funding, The Ohio Public Works Commission, Small Governments and WSOS Community Action Commission Inc. as well as projects funded with local monies. He is responsible for all phases of these projects including research, survey work, design, plan preparation, bid documents, estimates and inspection.

Gary is married to Lisa and they have two daughters, Lydia and Grace.

C. Delafon Luna, P.E., P.S.
Deputy Engineer

Delafon Luna is a native of Willard, Ohio, graduating from Willard High in 1988, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Civil Engineering Degree, majoring in Structural Engineering and a minor in Surveying. He has obtained his Professional Engineer and Professional Surveyor certifications. Delafon works in the Engineering Department of the Engineer's Office as a Project Engineer. He works closely with Gary Gillen, Engineering Manager, Surveyors Mike Keefe and Mark Riley, and Bob Kolupus, Chief Deputy Engineer.

Delafon is married to Amy and they have three sons Rueben, Gebin, and Seth.

Glenn Higgins
Foreman, Pipe Crew

Glenn Higgins has worked for the Highway Department over 29 years, starting out a highway worker in 1977 and now is one of the senior Foreman in the department. He is in charge of one of the pipeline crews, that take care of the drainage infrastructure in the county. During his time at the Highway Department, Glenn has done it all, bridge construction, mowing, snow plowing and on and on. It is this kind of experience that makes hard jobs easy and easy jobs, easier.

Glenn is married to Nancy and they have two sons, Chris and Jason.

Dick Morman
Foreman, Pipeline Crew

Dick Morman has been with the Highway Department for over 15 years, coming to it from working in private sector construction. He is a consummate operator, having over 8600 hours behind the controls. He is one of those operators whose ease with a machine reminds one of an orchestra conductor, every move made with precision. He is a pipeline crew foreman and works to keep the drainage infrastructure in the county, free of obstructures and ready in case of rain storms or high water.

He is married to Patricia and they have four children, Kathleen, Kristine, Keith and Kelly.

Gregg Smith
Operator

Gregg Smith has worked for Huron County Highway for over 15 years, as a highway worker and operator. He worked for years for his family's tree trimming business started by his father in the 60's. Gregg's most familiar work setting is in the seat of a piece of equipment doing what has to be done to get the job done. He works on Kevin Wilhelm's crew most of the time and in the winter can be seen out cutting and trimming trees that are a problem along the county highways.

Gregg is married to Julie and they have two children, Ashley and Darren.

Steve Scheel
HIghway Worker

Steve Scheel has worked for the department for over three years. Steve brings the energy of youth to his work but was also elected President of the AFSCME Local Union at Huron County Highway by his peers this year.

Steve is married to Fran and they have two children, Isaac and Alexandra.

Mike Beveridge
Highway Superintendent

Mike has been with the Highway Department for 27 years, starting as a highway worker in December 1980. He has progressed through the department, as Operator, Foreman, Bridge Foreman and Highway Superintendent. Mike's years of experience in the department gives him an historical connection with the work that has been done in that time period. He also is familiar not only with the projects, but with the folks who live in the neighborhood of each one. This knowledge gives him an inner appreciation for the customer base served by the Highway Department, the people of Huron County. This appreciation shows in the conscientious way he carries out his duties for the department.

Mike is married to Debbie and they have four children, Tyler, Kaitlyn, Brett and William.

Mike Keefe
Engineering Aide

Working for the Engineer's office since 1998, Mike is a member of the survey crew who can be seen out in the county doing surveying for road and bridge projects.

He is currently in his last year at the University of Akron to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying & Mapping.

Mike is married to Erin and they are foster parents.

Mark Riley
Survey Party Chief

Mark Riley has worked for the department since 1989. He has worked in the survey field for over 25 years. Although not a registered surveyor, he has many years of field experience in boundary, centerline and construction surveys. On rainy days you can find him at the Tax Map Department pulling research for many of our jobs.

Mark also fills in plowing snow, inspecting projects and doing miscellaneous office and field projects.

Mark is divorced and has three grown children Shannon, Nick and Ryan.

John Mikalacki
Mechanic

John Mikalacki has worked for the department since 2003, and brought with him extensive knowledge and experience in the construction industry of the maintenance, and repair of all types of equipment. John uses this knowledge and experience to good use, by using time tested skills to make the work process easier, safer and more efficient.

John grew up in Medina County and comes from a rural tradition. Which he is passing on to his children, who participate in the annual Huron County Junior Fair, showing their pigs.

John is married to Donna and they have three children, Mark, Rebka and Rachel.

Roberta "Bertie" Ulm
Office Manager for the County Engineer

Roberta Ulm or Bertie has worked for the county engineer since June of 2005. She is the office manager and oversees the operation of the day to day work of the highway department office.

Bertie worked for County Auditor John Elmlinger in the Accounting Department, doing the payroll for the county for many years before coming over to the engineers office. She brings to her role at the highway department a lot of experience gained from her years in government service.

Bertie is married to Rollie and they have two sons, David and Eric.

Robert Kolopus, P.E.,P.S.
Deputy Engineer-Design

Bob Kolopus works in Engineering section at the highway department. He is primarily a design engineer and checks the work that is done by outside Consultants to insure that it is up to the standards of the County Engineer.

Bob started working for the previous engineer in June of 1995. He has either designed or checked most of the bridge and culvert projects done by the department since that date. Bob is known for his thoroughness and attention to detail.

Bob is divorced and has five grown children and six grandchildren.

Joe Barnhouse
Mechanic

Joe Barnhouse is a mechanic at the highway department, he has worked for the department in this capacity since July of 2003. Joe is a skilled mechanic, a self starter and a hard worker able to repair all of the equipment that the department owns.

Joe is married to Stacy and they three children, Brianna, Hannah and Joshua.

Bill "$Bill" Gerstenberger
Highway Worker

$Bill Gerstenberger has worked for highway department since June of 1996. He has worked in all phases of the department, from plowing snow, prefabbing bridge components, driving piling, painting vehicles and mowing the roadsides in summer.

Bill is married to Sheri, and they have two children, Mitchul and Alisha.

George "Bob" Latteman
Highway Worker

George "Bob" Latteman has worked for the County Engineer Office on the Highway Department side, since July of 2000. He works with Foreman Dick Morman on a pipeline crew, that takes care of the county's drainage infrastructure. He can be seen working with Dick Morman on many of the county and township roads, replacing, repairing or installing new pipe to keep the drainage system intact and working.

Bob is married to Amy and they have three children, George, Thedore and Christopher.

Jim Weisenberger
Highway Worker

Jim Weisenberger has been with the Engineer's Office on the Highway Department side for over 16 years. He works with Glenn Higgins on a pipeline crew, that maintains the county drainage infrastructure. Jim is also an operator and routinely is running a backhoe on a job along a county or township road replacing, repairing or installing new components in the drainage infrastructure, to keep its integrity intact.

Jim is married to Deborah and they have three grown children, Marcus, Joseph, Alicia and grandkids too.

Jeff Baumer
Chief Mechanic

Jeff Baumer, the Chief Mechanic at the Highway Department garage has been employed by the County Engineer's Office for over 20 years. He and his team, John Mikalacki and Joe Barnhouse are responsible for the repair, and maintenance of all of the equipment that the Engineer's office uses in the work of keeping the county transportation infrastructure in good repair.

Jeff is married to Julia.

Bob Sutherland Jr.
HIghway Worker

Bob Sutherland Jr., works as a highway worker on Rob Good's Bridge Crew, and occasionally floating to help with other projects, such as the Salt Shed at Zenobia Road. Bob or Boo as the men call him is a steady man on the job and a good worker.

He is single and can be seen riding his Harley in the summer months after work.

Jarvis Bova
Highway Worker

Jarvis Bova is a highway worker and a member of Rob Good's Bridge Crew.

He is also a member of the Air Guard Red Horse Unit stationed at Camp Perry. Bova is a veteran of separate deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in the War on Terror. Bova is a good worker who displays a quiet and confident competency on the job, that mirrors the experience and knowledge picked up while serving our country in harm's way.

Bill Dupont
Highway Worker

Bill Dupont is a highway worker at the department and is a member of Rob Good's Bridge Crew. Bill has worked at most of the jobs in the department and is a good worker who adds to a positive atmosphere on the job.

Nicole Phibbs
Receptionist/Data Entry Clerk

Nicole Phibbs has been with the County Engineer's Office since 1993. She is the first person you see when you walk in the front door and is always ready to assist you in finding the person or an answer to your question. She also does secretarial duties for the Engineer, Joe Kovach and his Administrative Assistand, Carl Essex.

She is married to Mike and they have two children, Alex and Addy.

Kelly Smith
Data Clerk/Maintenance

Employed since 2001, Kelly started as a Dispatcher and has since been moved to a Data Entry position. She is responsible for all paperwork filled out by the Mechanics Garage and for materials inventory. In addition to those duties, Kelly also creates our Quarterly Newsletter and updates our website.

She is married to Scot and they have three children Chloe, Spencer & Jordan.

Lynn Taylor
Bridge Inspector

Lynn Taylor is the Bridge Inspector for the Engineer's Office, working with both the Engineering and Surveying Department and the Highway Department. She has worked for the county since 1989. Taylor is responsible for the annual inspection of the 389 large bridges in the county. She creates a report from these inspections, and submits it to the Ohio Department of Transportation each year, which discusses the condition of each of these bridges.

In addition to her normal duties, Taylor is also leading the team that is doing an inspection of all of the small culverts in the county, ten feet in width and smaller of which there are 3500 of these structures in the county. Taylor and her team members, Mark Riley, and Mike Keefe of the survey team have inspected over 2200 of these structures since starting this project in March of 2006.

Tracy Konik
Data Entry Clerk

Tracy Konik is a Data Entry Clerk who is responsible for Accounts Payable and Fund tracking.

Tracy and her husband, Adam live in Norwalk with their son Samuel.