The CTa Team

Unique individuals. Shared goals.

The CTa Team

Unique individuals. Shared goals.

Licensed Engineers
0
Avg. Years of Experience
0
States Licensed
0
Largest Project Budget
$ 0 M

Our Staff

When you work with CTa, you interact with one of the most customer driven firms in the Twin Cities area. Each of the team members is focused on customer service and energy-efficient design.

We stress personal service on every project. Your project team is guaranteed to have one or more of the firm’s principals involved throughout the entire project, providing a highly collaborative and efficient design process. Our team environment, and flexible staffing procedures, allow for CTa to be well positioned for all projects, large or small.

Scott Thomas
PE, LEED AP, BD+C
Principal || Mechanical & Fire Protection Team Leader
Scott is a 1984 graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and received a Master of Engineering in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2015. Scott joined CTa in 1991 and became a Principal starting in 1996. Scott enjoys helping people overcome the challenges associated with mechanical systems design and function. Scott has a passion for sustainability and enjoys nurturing relationships with people throughout the industry. Scott wears many hats around the office, including Licensed Fire Protection Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Master of Finances, and bearer of bagels. Outside of the office, Scott enjoys working on home improvement projects, as well as down time at the pool or the beach.
Ryan Stephans
PE
Principal || Mechanical Team Leader
Ryan is a 2001 graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. In 2009, Ryan saw the light and moved back from Wisconsin to his home state of Minnesota, joining CTa in 2010. Ryan started working into the role of Mechanical Engineering Principal in 2013. The team atmosphere in the office, client interaction, marketing, and project diversity are what he enjoys most about life in the office. Outside the office, Ryan can be found watching his daughters play competitive soccer, attending an MN United game, or up north working on his cabin.
Dave Carlson-McLagan
Principal || Electrical Team Leader
Dave is 2007 graduate of Dunwoody College of Technology with a degree in Electrical Design and Management. Dave joined CTa in 2006 as an electrical design intern and has moved up through the ranks of Electrical Designer, Project Manager, and most recently Head of the Electrical Department. The variety of projects keep Dave on his toes throughout the day, and he appreciates the change of pace brought by each project type or scale. As his responsibilities have grown, Dave has embraced marketing and thoroughly enjoys client interaction. Outside of the office, Dave can be found nurturing his yard, walking his dogs, or traveling the country looking for the best coffee.
Jay Cain
PE
Principal || Electrical Team Leader
Jay received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1972 and has been working in the consulting engineering field since 1973. Jay was one of the founding Principals of Cain Ouse Associates in 1983, which in 2011 came to be known as Cain Thomas Associates and the moniker CTa. Jay has extensive experience consisting of a wide variety of projects including medical, educational, recreational, public transportation and retail projects as well as all forms of specialty housing. Jay is currently a licensed Professional Engineer in fifty jurisdictions. Outside of the office, his passion is for competing in Dressage on his horse Lance and keeping up his horse farm.
David Thomas
PE
Senior Electrical Engineer || Production Coordinator
David is a 2014 graduate from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. David started at CTa as a summer intern in 2012 and joined full time after graduating in 2014. David enjoys the variety of projects that this type of business can entail, and also enjoys the software side of things. After joining CTa David’s responsibilities have grown to include Production Coordinator in addition to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. Outside of the office, David enjoys running with his dog, and going to Timberwolves games.
Aiden Andrusko
Electrical Engineer
Aiden is a 2020 graduate from North Dakota State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Aiden joined CTa in March of 2021, shortly after graduating, as an Electrical Engineer. While newer to the industry, Aiden is grasping concepts very quickly, and fast becoming an integral cog in the machine. He has enjoyed getting involved in the various projects he has worked on, and looks forward to contributing on future ones. When he’s not working, Aiden enjoys watching sports, as well as playing hockey, softball, and disc golf.
Carole Ann Plattner
CLEP
Electrical Designer || Project Manager
Carole has been in the electrical design industry for over 42 years, starting at CTa in 1986 – shortly after the inception of the company. Carole enjoys designing electrical distribution and lighting systems, as well as exploring and manipulating files within Revit, AutoCad, and various other applications. Carole is proficient in lighting photometrics, and continues expanding her knowledge of lighting since obtaining her Certified Lighting Energy Professional (CLEP) certificate in 2003. Carole is also a member of IESNA, NFPA and AEE. Outside the office, Carole operates a taxi service for her 8 grandchildren, enjoys cooking, gardening, canning, car shows, traveling with her husband, and sewing with her church quilting group.
Gary Eversole
Mechanical Project Manager
Gary has over 20 years of mechanical design and project management experience, and an additional 10 years of mechanical and controls system field work. Gary came to CTa in 2013, bringing a wealth of experience in various system types including steam, hot/chilled water, process piping, air handling, plant facility design, energy management, and temperature controls. His field experience directly relates to the constructability of the systems he designs. Outside of the office, Gary enjoys reading, playing golf, and cars – specifically Porsches.
Giselle Larkin
Electrical Designer
Giselle has been working in the field of electrical design since obtaining her degree from Anoka Technical College in 1991. She joined CTa as an Electrical Designer in 2018. Typically, one of our office “quiet mouse’s” Giselle has been taking on more responsibility serving in the role of lead designer on some of our larger projects, mentoring younger teammates, as well as working to further her knowledge about low voltage systems. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family, going up north, and hanging out with her dog.
Greg Greene
Mechanical Designer
Greg began his sheet metal apprenticeship in 1980 in Dayton, Ohio, immediately following his high school graduation, and continued to work in the field until 1995. After 15 years as a sheet metal worker, Greg moved to design to extend his career. In 2008, Greg and his family, lifelong Minnesota Vikings fans, moved to the Twin Cities, and he joined CTa as a mechanical designer in 2019. His notable career projects include US Bank Stadium, Minnesota Vikings Training Facility, Wright Patterson Air Force Base C5 hangers and Air Force Museum, and hospitals in Ohio, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. In his free time, Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters on their houseboat, cheering on the Vikings and Gophers, fishing, building models, and playing music.
Jimmy Edwards
Mechanical Engineer
As a 2004 graduate from Florida Atlantic University School of Engineering, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Jimmy is missing the year-round sunshine of Florida. Jimmy joined CTa in 2015 and enjoys client interaction and the creation of designs that cohesively blend into the building Architecture while maintaining proper function. When he is not engineering systems for our clients, Jimmy enjoys Disney vacations with his wife and kids, and soaking up as much warmth as he can with his Florida family.
Joseph Kowalski
QCxP, LEED AP, BD+C
Mechanical Designer || Commissioning Authority
Joseph received a Certificate in Architectural Drafting, prior to joining the MEP design community, and has been in the mechanical design field since 1999. Joseph earned LEED accreditation in 2008 and has been with CTa since 2009. Joseph is our lead team member for HVAC systems commissioning, earning his commissioning certification in 2015. He enjoys working on projects that require creative solutions and is known for bringing tasty treats to share with the office. While away from work Joseph enjoys volunteering, music, reading, watching movies and spending time with his family.
Kevin Michener
Mechanical Engineer
Kevin is a 2014 graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a minor in mathematics. Kevin joined the CTa team in 2015 after making the move from Milwaukee to Saint Paul. Kevin is mostly concentrated on plumbing design but has been known to pick up a Ductulator from time to time. Outside the office, Kevin and his wife Melissa can be found playing board games with friends, hiking the many trails of the MN State Parks, watching movies, enjoying time with his daughter, and trying to entertain their two dogs.
Kyle Kane
Electrical Designer
After learning the basics of electricity and wiring in high school, Kyle discovered the area of electrical design and was hooked. Kyle graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology in 2018 with a degree in Electrical Design and Management before joining CTa in 2019. Looking to further his knowledge base, Kyle has recently started to delve into the amazing world of photovoltaics, hoping to help educate others about the potential of this source of electricity. Outside of the office, Kyle can be found walking his dog, working on his car, or enjoying a weekend away at his cabin.
Nathan Karlsrud
Mechanical Engineer
Nathan graduated from Michigan Technological University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and returned home to Minnesota. Nathan joined CTa in 2021 and enjoys the project variety of scale, locations, and industries, as they provide new and interesting challenges. Outside of the office, Nathan reads sci-fi and fantasy books to the exclusion of all others, rolling dice with his friends in a variety of tabletop games, and experiencing new and interesting whiskeys.
Nick Olsen
Mechanical Engineer || Production Coordinator
Nick is a 2015 graduate of the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Nick joined CTa in 2017 and is involved in the design of the plumbing, HVAC, and hydronic systems in new and existing buildings. Outside of the office, Nick enjoys spending time in the outdoors with activities such as fishing, camping or hiking.
Tiffany Deming
Electrical Designer
Tiffany is a 2014 graduate of Dunwoody College of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Tiffany joined CTa in 2014 as an electrical drafter and has moved up into the role of Electrical Designer. In the office, Tiffany can often be found rounding the troops and encouraging interactive participation in office events and meetings. Outside the office, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her family, home improvement projects, and anything to do with the outdoors
Tory Boden
Accounting || Administration
Tory graduated from St Catherine’s University with a degree in Business Management. She started her career as a staff accountant for the St Paul Port Authority. Tory joined CTa in 2012 as their Office Manager and bookkeeper, but is instrumental in so much more, including organizing company events, lunches, and keeping the rest of us in line. She enjoys keeping the office running and welcoming new employees. When not in the office Tory can be found at Wild, Vikings, or Twins games, traveling to concerts, and boating on White Bear Lake.