Harry Goff, PE, PLS founded Goff Engineering on April 15, 1977, in Durango, Colorado, after serving his country in the Civil Engineering Corps of the US Navy and working for a local engineering firm. His first large project was for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and became the resident engineer for the development of the Durango water system and water storage tank facility.
In the fall of 1978, Harry purchased Don Smith Surveying, and the firm was renamed Goff Engineering & Surveying Company. Smith had one of the first EDMs (Electronic Distance Meter) in town and Harry wanted to utilize this new, cutting-edge technology. During this era, all drafting work was done by hand with drafting arms and lettering guides, and survey transits were manual with no electronics. As the firm grew, so did the scope of projects, which included work for Purgatory Ski Resort, Fort Lewis College, The Ranch, Durango West I & II, and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Harry always led by example and with integrity, inspired and was a mentor for many people in engineering, community planning, and leadership. Harry decided to transition his firm from a sole proprietorship to a business partnership to retain engineering and surveying talent, to build and grow Goff into one of the leading engineering and surveying companies in the Four Corner region.
In 1979 Harry created a partnership with Gareth Crites, and the firm was incorporated and became Goff Engineering & Surveying, Inc. In that same year, the firm purchased a plotter and became the first firm in Durango to transition from hand drafting to Computer Aided Drafting (CAD). In 1981, Daryl Crites, PLS became a principal, followed by Bryan Duff, PE in 1985.
In 1985, Goff opened a branch office in Scottsdale Arizona. Gareth Crites operated this office with a staff of 5 people. The economy and timing led to the closing of this office 4 years later in 1989. Gareth retired from the firm at this time, and Bruce Honisch, PE, PLS came on as a new partner.
In 1996, GPS was making its way into the surveying profession. Searching for ways to incorporate this new technology, Goff merged with Steve McCormack’s company, Atlatl, Inc., making Steve a new partner at Goff.
Harry led Goff Engineering until his retirement in 1999. We are proud and honored to bear his name and continue his commitment to quality designs and service, strong adherence to ethics within the surveying and engineering industries, mentoring young engineers and surveyors, and love of the Four Corners area.
Having joined the company in 1993, Parker Newby became a principal of the firm in 2002. Shortly thereafter in 2004 both Daryl Crites and Steve McCormack retired from the firm. Upon Crites and McCormack’s retirement, Brian Duff became the new president and during his tenure successfully navigated the firm through the recession in 2008-2009, and added (3) junior partners to the firm: Rob Harries, PE in 2005, Rob Trudeaux, PLS in 2007, and Garth Glasco, PE, SE, in 2008.
Goff again broadened in 2004, by adding a structural department, led by Garth Glasco. Bill Hickam, PE, SE was hired in 2010 to strengthen the structural department, and became a partner in 2014.
Bryan retired in 2011 to spend time with his already-retired wife, Joan. From 2011-2017, Parker led the firm as president. Parker retired at the end of 2017 after career spanning 25 years with the firm. Parker is now enjoying the retired life, traveling the globe with his wife Nancy. Bruce Honisch retired in 2019 and is enjoying biking, camping and all outdoor activities with his wife Patti.
In 2020 Tom Engle, PE became a partner for the Civil Department and in 2021 Brian Boniface, PLS became a partner for the Survey Department.
Today, Goff is owned by five firm principals, who are also actively involved in overseeing individual projects. By utilizing a project management approach, we are well-equipped to provide personalized project designs, seamless coordination between staff, and direct communication and collaboration with our clients.
Current Company Officers:
Rob Trudeaux – CEO
Rob Harries – COO
Bill Hickam – CFO
