Employee News

January 2026

We are happy to announce some promotions and introduce some new staff members

Promotions – New Associates

Ben W. Hagerman

Ben W. Hagerman is a Senior Project Manager with over 25 years of experience. Ben’s expertise is in Architectural Design and Land Planning. Specific areas include Interior Space Planning and Building Information Model Management as well as Virtual Design and Construction Management. He oversees the coordination and development of design information between disciplines, jurisdictions, owners, and occupying tenants.

Eric Esqueda, PE

Eric Esqueda, PE is a Senior Engineer with 10 years of experience in structural engineering. His practice has included the design of new structures and the retrofit or adaptive reuse of existing structures in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional construction sectors. He also draws upon his engineering expertise in support of structural damage assessments, structural due diligence reports for real estate investments, and expert services for construction litigation.

New Staff

JoMarie Farrell, PE

JoMarie Farrell, PE has joined VLMK Engineering + Design as a Senior Engineer II with 35 years of experience. She has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Portland. JoMarie has experience in office buildings, hospitals, schools, transit, industrial, seismic retrofits, and tenant improvements. In her new role at VLMK she will be working with the structural team on a variety of engineering projects.

Matthew Palmateer, EIT

Matthew Palmateer, EIT has joined VLMK Engineering + Design as an engineering designer. He has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Portland, and his experience includes an internship with VLMK as a drafter, and internships with Consor Engineers and Kiewit working on bridges. In his new position at VLMK, he will be working with the structural team on a variety of engineering projects.

Congrats + Welcome!