Meet Our Team
What makes Banning Engineering exceptional?
The Team
Get to know our experienced leaders, engineers, and surveyors who make our company great.
Joseph Miller, PE
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Banning, PE
Chairman of the Board & Founder
Jonathan Polson, PS
Vice President, Operations & Survey
Steve Brehob
Vice President, Development Services
Mark Butler, PE
Vice President,
GIS & Transportation Services
Kent Elliott, PE
Vice President, Water Resources
Lance Ferrell
Director, Development Services
Derek Harbeson
Controller
Chandler Harden, PS
Project Manager, Survey
Jeff Healy, PE
Project Manager, Water Resources
Will Hogstrum
Project Manager, Survey
DeeDee Leonard
Human Resources, Marketing
Auston Lewis
Ryan Lindley
Director, Commercial Development
Parker Mays
Project Engineer, Development Services
Mike McCrary
Manager, Construction Services
Janelle Meeks
Project Manager, GIS & Transportation Services
Mark Meyerholtz, ASLA
Project Manager, Development Services
Pete Rusche, PE
Josh Selig, PE
Jordan Starkey
Coordinator, Utilities
Mary Strawder
Project Manager, Planning Services
Jacob Tooley, PE
Project Manager, Development Services
Jeff Yeary
Field Operations Manager, Survey
Chad Ziegler, PE
Project Manager, Hydraulics & Hydrology Engineer, GIS & Transportation
Jeff Banning, PE
Chairman of the Board and Founder
Jeff founded Banning Engineering in 1994 and has served as president since the organization’s inception. He is responsible for the leadership and guidance of the team members, business development, client development, project management, including contract preparation to project close-out and overseeing the financial and business operations.
Jeff is involved in a variety of organizations and holds many leadership positions such as Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors, the Park Foundation of Hendricks County Board, and the Citizens Bank Board of Directors. Jeff is also an active member of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Association of County Commissioners, Aim, Avon Chamber of Commerce, Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis, Plainfield Christian Church, and Morgan County EDC. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Evansville.
Auston Lewis
Project Manager, Development Services
Auston earned an associate degree in design technology from Ivy Tech Community College before continuing his education at IUPUI, where he graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. As a project manager at Banning Engineering, Auston plays an integral role in the planning, coordination, and delivery of a diverse range of commercial and residential development projects.
Since joining Banning Engineering in September 2021, Auston has built upon nearly 10 years of experience in design, construction management, permitting and approvals, and project coordination. Prior to joining Banning, he gained valuable industry experience while working full-time at a telecommunications engineering firm as he completed his college education. He also interned with several construction companies, providing him with a well-rounded understanding of project development from concept through construction.
Auston’s combination of technical expertise, project management experience, and practical field knowledge makes him a valuable asset to project teams and clients alike. His ability to navigate complex project requirements while maintaining a collaborative approach helps drive successful project outcomes.
Outside of work, Auston enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife welcomed their first child in May 2026, and much of his free time is now spent making the most of this exciting new chapter of life. When he’s not with family, you can often find him cheering on his favorite hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chad Ziegler
Project Manager, Hydraulics & Hydrology Engineer, GIS & Transportation
Chad is a hydraulics and hydrology (H&H) engineer and project manager within our Transportation team, bringing over 26 years of industry experience, including 13 years with Banning Engineering. He possesses an extensive background in site development, with a specialized emphasis on H&H.
Chad blends decades of technical stormwater management expertise with active project management to successfully deliver site civil designs and lead diverse transportation infrastructure projects. A graduate of Purdue University’s Indianapolis campus, Chad leverages his multidisciplinary knowledge to manage client initiatives while actively leading and mentoring members of our engineering team.
DeeDee Leonard
Human Resources, Marketing
DeeDee Leonard serves as the human resources and marketing manager at Banning Engineering, where she brings together her passion for people, communication, and community engagement. Her role encompasses employee relations, recruitment, marketing, and initiatives that strengthen both Banning’s workplace culture and its presence in the community.
With a background in marketing, communications, and community leadership, DeeDee brings a people-first approach to her work. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections, supporting employee growth, and helping foster a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered.
Beyond Banning, DeeDee is actively involved in the Hendricks County community, serving as president of Discover Downtown Plainfield and as a member of the Leadership Hendricks County Class of 2026. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her twins, traveling, exploring new places, and visiting theme parks.
Chandler Harden, PS
Project Manager, Survey
Chandler Harden is a project surveyor who specializes in ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, boundary surveys, and platting for residential and commercial developments. With strong attention to detail and a practical approach to problem-solving, he enjoys helping clients navigate complex surveying challenges and providing accurate, reliable results they can trust.
Prior to beginning his career in land surveying, Chandler proudly served in the U.S. Army, where he developed the discipline, leadership, and work ethic that continue to guide him today. He values building strong relationships with clients and colleagues and takes pride in delivering high-quality service on every project.
Outside of work, Chandler enjoys spending time with his wife, Marissa, and their two children, making the most of every opportunity to create lasting memories as a family.
Jacob Tooley
Project Manager, Development Services
Jacob graduated from Purdue University in 2019 with a degree in civil engineering and joined the Banning Engineering team following graduation. Jacob serves as a project manager and provides drainage engineering support across the Site Development team.
Jacob primarily works in private development, contributing to the design of multiple communities within Hendricks, Morgan, and Marion counties. In addition to residential development, Jacob brings experience in designing both small- and large-scale commercial developments, from individual buildings to large-scale business parks.
Jacob also serves as the company’s AI committee chair, leading efforts to develop tools, policies, and practical guidance that promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence in engineering and site design.
Outside of Banning Engineering, Jacob enjoys playing board games, playing softball, and spending time with his wife, two kids, and friends.
Mark Meyerholtz, ASLA
Project Manager, Development Services
A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in landscape architecture, Mark is a project manager at Banning Engineering, specializing in the design and development of commercial and residential projects, site master plans, and landscape master plans. With more than 30 years of experience, Mark brings extensive expertise in landscape architectural design, including residential site layouts, trails, sports complexes, and park master plans. He works closely with clients to create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that balance design, usability, and long-term value. He takes pride in creating distinctive, engaging outdoor environments that enhance communities and can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Having been with Banning Engineering during two separate periods of his career, Mark recently rejoined the firm in 2024. He remains actively involved with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Indiana Chapter of ASLA (INASLA), and his church.
Mark and his wife, Kim, have two grown children and two grandchildren. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring his interest in bourbon.
Parker Mays
Project Engineer, Development Services
Parker graduated from Purdue University in 2022 with a degree in construction engineering and management. Since joining Banning Engineering, Parker has worked with the Water Resources and Site Development teams as a project engineer.
He currently works on residential and commercial projects to coordinate between clients and municipalities, design site and utility layouts, and permit plans through various review agencies.
Outside of work, Parker enjoys spending time with his friends and family, attending Colts and Purdue games, and golfing or working out.
Steve Brehob
Vice President, Development Services
A graduate of Purdue University, Steve is a Project Manager at Banning Engineering and is involved in a wide variety of projects including commercial, industrial, residential and roadway. Steve has only been with Banning since August of 2020 but brings 30 years of experience in zoning, design, management, approval processing and contract and construction administration for residential, commercial, multifamily, utility, roadway, governmental and institutional projects. Steve was previously a partner and president of a civil engineering and surveying firm in southern Indiana prior to joining the Banning Engineering team. Steve’s wide variety of skills and experience make him a unique asset to any project team. An avid outdoorsman and adventurer, Steve has two grown sons and enjoys backcountry hiking, hunting, kayaking and travel whenever the opportunity arises.
Mark Butler, PE
Vice President, GIS & Transportation Services
Mark is a Project Manager with over 10 years of experience. He has extensive experience and expertise in roadway design projects and geographical information systems (GIS). Mark leads the transportation group designing rural and urban roadways using INDOT or local standards. Mark managed the Raceway Road, Heritage Way, CR 675E, and Merriman Road projects in recent years. In GIS Services, Mark led the IUPUI, Danville, Martinsville, and Pendleton utility mapping projects and leads the GIS Services Department.
Mark was the IGIC 2018 Excellence in GIS recipient for his work with IUPUI.
Jason Coyle, PS
Project Manager
Jason Coyle is responsible for managing and designing residential and commercial development projects, boundary survey analysis and calculations, subdivision plats, and topographic surveys including contract preparation to project close-out.
Kent Elliott, PE
Vice President, Water Resources
Kent has over 24 years of experience in environmental engineering, specializing in municipal water and wastewater. He has been involved in all phases of municipal projects, including planning, funding, design, and construction. His broad experience in the civil engineering field includes a variety of drinking water and wastewater projects, including wastewater collection systems, lift stations and wastewater treatment plant design, drinking water distribution systems, booster stations, water storage tanks, and drinking water treatment plant design. Kent received his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water, American Water Works Association (AWWA), and Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA).
Lance Ferrell
Director, Development Services
Lance graduated from ITT Technical Institute and continued his education at IUPUI before starting his career as a civil engineer. Lance rejoined Banning Engineering in August of 2021 as a project manager. He is involved in a wide variety of developments including commercial and residential projects along with conceptual and visualization plans. Lance has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of civil engineering. Lance previously was a Real Estate Land Representative at Duke Energy prior to reuniting with Banning Engineering. His creativity, leadership, and enthusiastic personality are some of the many qualities he adds to the team. Lance is an avid sports lover who works as a D1 football official along with a part-time NFL sideline job in his free time. He loves attending sporting events to watch his 2 grown children live out their dreams of being college athletes and coaches. When not in the stands or on the field Lance likes to fish, play cards, fly RC airplanes, and spend quality time with his wife.
Derek Harbeson
Controller
Derek joined Banning Engineering in 2024. He graduated from Johnson Bible College with a Children’s Ministry degree and later graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with his Accounting degree. Prior to Banning, he worked at a local Indianapolis company for nearly 14 years. Derek is married to his college sweetheart and they have two beautiful daughters. Derek and his family are active members of Northview Christian Church in Danville.
Jeff Healy, PE
Project Manager, Water Resources
Jeff has been with Banning Engineering since 1996, working on all facets of engineering design and construction. He has also brought a specialty in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of drainage systems and earth embankment dams. Previously as State Conservation Engineer for USDA-NRCS, he supervised the design, construction, operations and maintenance of all Agency (Federal) constructed dams in Indiana. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Jeff has been a wonderful mentor for our team at Banning Engineering. Jeff has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Illinois, along with post-graduate work at Wright State University in Groundwater Hydrology.
Jeff holds a Governor’s appointment to the Indiana Land Resources Council, is a supervisor for the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District, and is a member of the Hendricks County Recycling District Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Outside the office, Jeff is involved in a variety of organizations such as: the American Water Resources Association, American Society of State Dam Safety Officials, and Indiana Association for Floodplain & Stormwater Management.
Ryan Lindley
Director, Commercial Development
A graduate of Purdue University, Ryan is Banning Engineering’s Director of Development and is responsible for technical personnel, design and drafting of commercial subdivisions, commercial site plans, and utility plans. Ryan has been with Banning since 1995, where he has experience involving layout and technical design. He is involved in the management phase of commercial and industrial projects and has the communication skills necessary to see a successful project through to completion. Ryan is involved in the Brownsburg Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association, and is Board Member and Coach for TriWest Swim Club. He and his wife, Shannon, have four children. In his free time, he loves hunting and fishing, sports, racing and spending time with family.
Mike McCrary
Manager, Construction Services
Mike has been involved in the construction industry since 2005. He uses this in-depth experience to oversee all aspects of Banning Engineering’s construction services. This includes personnel management (internal and external), observation/inspection/construction management/related projects, document management, constructability reviews, estimating, software, and business development. Mike has a Construction Engineering & Management Technology degree from IUPUI and is an INDOT Certified Technician. He is an avid bowler who has rolled numerous 300 games. Born and raised in Plainfield, Mike continues to reside in Plainfield with his wife and two children.
Joseph Miller, PE
Chief Executive Officer
Joe is responsible for providing engineering and project management through planning, directing, and coordinating project activities. He ensures that project goals are accomplished within the prescribed time frames and contract parameters. Joe specializes in hydraulics and hydrology engineering on large and small scales. He is proficient in the numerous permitting requirements and on projects within and near waterways. Joe has expanded his expertise into local transportation and project funding mechanisms as well. Joe was able to secure a first-of-its-kind in the nation loan through USDA Rural Development for critical municipal infrastructure.
Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He is an active member in the Indiana Association for Floodplain & Stormwater Management and the Association of State Floodplain Managers.
Jonathan Polson, PS
Vice President, Operations & Survey
Jon is a professional surveyor with 18 years of experience and serves as Vice President for Banning Engineering, focusing on Land Surveying and Unmanned Aerial Systems. Jon’s responsibilities include review of ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, route surveys, and boundary surveys; survey staff development and management; and development and review of our Unmanned Aerial Systems deliverables. His personal mission statement is, “to connect where people are with where they need to be”. Jon uses his survey experience and skill to connect people with a successful project. Jon enjoys CrossFit and playing disc golf with his three boys. He, his wife, and four children are active members of Plainfield Christian Church.
Jon’s affiliations include the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors, Central Indiana Chapter (ISPLS) Director, National Society of Professional Surveyors, and Indiana Park and Recreation Association.
Jordan Starkey
Coordinator, Utilities
Jordan is Banning Engineering’s Utilities Coordinator and one of the company’s newest additions, bringing 10+ years of experience and knowledge in utilities and damage prevention to the team. Jordan started out locating public utilities before transitioning to the private sector, where he managed day-to-day operations for a private locating firm here in Indiana. With his knowledge and expertise, his and our goal is to help our design teams and partners better prepare and design projects with added insight into what hides beneath the surface. Jordan resides in Madison County with his wife Jess and son Forest. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and helping foster his son’s love of sports.
Mary Strawder
Project Manager, Planning Services
With her background and experience in urban planning, Mary coordinates Banning Engineering’s planning services. In addition to leading municipal planning projects, Mary assists with managing the company’s economic development initiatives. She holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University. Mary collaborates with stakeholders to conduct research, design project visuals, map sites, engage the public, and develop community reports and guiding documents. She works closely with Banning’s multidisciplinary team to provide a systematic planning approach. Her practical skills allow her to jump in at any stage of a project, ensuring clients’ and communities’ needs are clearly communicated and addressed. Outside work, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as kayaking, hiking, and exploring cities and towns with her husband, Ian.
Jeff Yeary
Field Operations Manager, Survey
Jeff is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating work for all Banning Engineering’s field services. He budgets, schedules, and ensures projects are completed properly and efficiently. Being in charge of field safety, he conducts frequent safety meetings to discuss awareness or concerns about being compliant. Some of his general duties include scheduling, budgeting, construction calculations, utility and contractor coordination, equipment maintenance/training, and employee reviews. Jeff has a degree in Building Construction and Contracting from Purdue University.
Pete Rusche, PE
Project Manager, GIS & Transportation Services
Pete graduated from Purdue University in 2018 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and joined Banning Engineering following graduation. He serves as a Project Manager on the Municipal Services team and also acts as the firm’s GIS Manager.
Pete has worked with multiple communities to modernize how they maintain, locate, and manage their utility networks and assets by helping integrate GIS into day-to-day operations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC).
Pete and the rest of Banning’s GIS team have received multiple Excellence in GIS Awards at the annual Indiana State GIS Conference for their work on projects that include modernizing cemetery administration, updating levee asset management, and improving sanitary pipelining processes.
Outside of Banning Engineering, Pete enjoys working at his family’s butcher shop, playing keyboards on the worship team at his church, supporting Purdue basketball and the New Orleans Pelicans, and spending time with family and friends.
Josh Selig, PE
Project Manager, Water Resources
Josh has more than 10 years of engineering experience, specializing in municipal water and wastewater systems. His experience includes the planning, design, and construction of a wide range of water and wastewater projects, including water main extensions, booster stations, drinking water treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, lift stations, and wastewater treatment plants.
Josh serves as Banning’s in-house expert on water and wastewater system modeling, as well as the design of commercial septic systems. Prior to joining Banning Engineering, he obtained certifications as an Occupational SCUBA Diver and Restricted Surface Supply Diver through the Diver Certification Board of Canada and performed diving inspections of water storage tanks.
With his background in inspections, Josh leads Banning’s Dam Safety Inspection team, conducting inspections for high-hazard dams across Indiana. He graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Josh is a member of the Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Indiana Water Environment Association. In December 2025, he was appointed by Governor Mike Braun to serve as the engineering representative on the Indiana Department of Health Executive Board.
Josh lives in Avon with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, helping his dad at the family farm, and playing video games and board games with family and friends.
Janelle Meeks
Project Manager, GIS & Transportation Services
Janelle is an accomplished project management professional with more than 25 years of experience leading complex programs across transportation, utilities, government, and consulting organizations. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and driving measurable results in highly regulated environments.
Currently serving as transportation and GIS project manager, Janelle leads executive-level project management activities, including proposal development, stakeholder coordination, quality reviews, and client engagement. She oversees project scope, schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams while supporting business development and delivery processes. Janelle began her public service career with Vincennes Water Utilities, where she developed and managed municipal stormwater compliance programs, collaborated with local government leaders, and delivered community education initiatives. She then spent more than a decade with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), where she advanced into executive program leadership roles. Her first two years involved management of LPA projects before joining the I-69 Evansville to Bloomington Project Team. Her accomplishments included serving on the I-69 project development team, leading regulatory mitigation initiatives, and serving as the Indiana PM for the Ohio River Crossing (ORX) Project for several years.
She holds an MBA from Colorado Technical University, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with Sales Specialization from Indiana State University, and an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Vincennes University. Janelle brings a unique combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, stakeholder engagement, and program governance expertise, making her a trusted leader for all levels of projects and organizational initiatives.
Will Hogstrum
Project Manager, Survey
With nearly three decades of experience in the surveying industry, Will Hogstrum serves as a land survey project manager at Banning Engineering, where he has been an integral part of the team since 2004.
Will’s extensive background spans every level of the discipline—from his early career as a survey crew chief to managing complex boundary, topographic, and land development projects today. He combines deep technical expertise in advanced CAD and GIS software with practical field knowledge to deliver precise, efficient project execution.
Dedicated to high standards and ongoing professional growth, Will takes pride in guiding projects seamlessly from initial field measurements to final land deliverables.
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