Every day, employee-owners of MSA Consulting thrive within an established, supportive professional environment. That is thanks in large part to the decision-making, work ethic, sacrifices and good fortune of a whole host of remarkable people over the past nearly 50 years.

Likewise, clients benefit daily from the culture and efforts of many who developed and supported “the MSA way”; systems which were built for managing complex projects and serving those clients.  That foundation allows the current employee-owners to efficiently deliver unmatched work-product within the Planning, Environmental, Civil Engineering, Surveying and Landscape Architecture sectors. The work is challenging, often stressful yet rewarding, and requires a team of professionals with expertise in an exceptionally wide range of subjects.

So many talented and dedicated co-workers have committed, or continue to commit, some, most, or all, of their professional lives to making MSA the best it can possibly be.

The impact of those efforts on the Coachella Valley is undeniable.  No other consulting firm comes close to the 4,000 examples of meaningful contributions to the housing, infrastructure, resort and institutional elements of our community.

The firm’s roots were in the mid-1970’s, when Bob Mainiero and Bob Smith incorporated Mainiero, Smith and Associates.  Their then boss at a small Palms Springs civil engineering firm passed away unexpectedly in 1976, leaving them with few options.   In their 20’s at the time, both saw significant potential for opportunity in the civil engineering field within the Coachella Valley.  They took a chance and signed a lease for a modest 1,200 sf office on Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs next to the now demolished Palm Springs Mall (and future College of the Desert campus).   Bob and Bob embarked on a mission to find projects where they could somehow employ raw enthusiasm and very competitive fees to overcome their lack of experience.  It was a struggle, but one they totally embraced.

Growth was gradual and disciplined.  As with most fledgling start-ups, any revenues generated were poured back into the company in the form of new equipment, technology and personnel.   The key hire of a young engineering designer in 1978 proved to be a fortuitous yet critical decision that ultimately shaped the direction and capabilities of the firm.    That young designer (now Director of Design Services/Senior Project Manager), Paul Sepulveda, will celebrate 47 years with the firm this year, the longest tenure of any MSA employee-owner.

The ensuing decades presented their share of challenges and rewards.  The firm relocated twice since its formation; first in 1982 to 5,000 sf at the Courtyard in Palm Springs and then in 2004 after constructing their current 18,200 sf facility in Rancho Mirage.   Designed by their good friend, Architect Chris Mills, the programming and building process was a truly exceptional experience.   The successful collaboration with so many friends and associates in the various trades, the support from the City of Rancho Mirage staff and Council, along with critical input from the MSA building committee members all contributed to the workplace environment enjoyed today.

Through strategic hires, the firm gradually expanded its services by adding Surveying, Planning, Environmental Services, Utility Coordination, GIS and, ultimately in 2019, Landscape Architecture, via the acquisition of RGA Landscape Architects in Palm Desert.  Founded by Ron Gregory in 1979, RGA was an equally established and well-respected entity.  The RGA team merged seamlessly into the MSA culture and continues today as the firm’s design studio.

Due to the young age of the core staff and leadership team following its early years, MSA went nearly 4 decades without any actual retirements from the firm.   While many individuals made, and continue to make, outstanding contributions to the success and growth of MSA, a few notable key early leaders and their tenures at retirement include:

Bob Smith, (retired) who co-founded the firm in 1976 and led the company as owner from its early inception through the stock sale to the employees, still serving as Chairman of the Board
(1976-2022, 46 years)

Bob Mainiero, (deceased) who co-founded the firm and provided leadership and unmatched client-based consulting for his entire career
(1976- 2005, 29 years)

Chuck Harris, who built the Survey and Mapping Department into the Valley’s leading survey group
(1983-2024, 41 years)

Sandy Fox, who anchored and directed the firm’s administrative services
(1980-2020, 35 years)

Bruce Kassler, whose unique business and technical acumen was invaluable to the firm
(1990- 2015, 25 years)

Marvin Roos, who created and grew the firm’s Planning Department and became highly acclaimed as the region’s premier site planner
(1992- 2017, 25 years)

Ron Gregory, who founded and grew RGA Landscape Architects and trusted MSA with the merger, staying on for 3 years more to cement the transition
(1978-2022, 42 years)

fter weighing a variety of options following 40+ years of personal ownership and with the help of trusted senior management team and advisors, Bob Smith decided in 2016 the firm’s continuity would best be secured by creating an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

As of August of 2022, the firm became 100% owned by the ESOP Trust, giving all employee owners a significant stake in the future success of MSA.  Exempt from federal income tax, the MSA ESOP also provides a competitive advantage.  While the firm governance structure has remained intact with a Board of Directors, corporate officers, department directors and project managers, the individual employee owners have taken on more responsibility for both daily decision-making and achieving long-term goals.  As the firm’s value increases, each employee-owner’s ESOP stock account goes up proportionally.  More importantly, the firm’s profits stay with the employee owners within the ESOP, rather than being harvested by a traditional private stock ownership or equity firm.

Looking back, the firm has weathered challenges that overwhelmed less resilient companies.   Multiple recessions, including the Great One from 2008-2012, the pandemic in 2020, and huge cycles in the homebuilding industry are all examples of trials MSA has met head-on.  Being as prepared as possible for the “next one” is always on the Board’s agenda.

Today, the firm’s future looks brighter than ever.   By strengthening the resource pool with incredibly talented staff members in all the disciplines, MSA is well-positioned to continue the company’s dominance.

Acknowledging that contributions to the firm’s success come daily from a full spectrum of tenures from very short to long, it is nonetheless important to recognize the unique longevity of the staff.

Current key employee-owners with more than 20 years of tenure with the firm include in descending order:

In addition to employee-owners with long tenures, MSA has a remarkably talented group of professionals, all dedicated to building their own careers and adding long-term value to the firm and themselves with their daily contributions.

Director of Design Services and Senior Project Manager
(1978, 47 years)

Senior Project Manager and Director of Production Services
(1989, 36 years)

Senior Project Engineer
(1995, 30 years)

Chief Executive Officer
(1995, 30 years)

Facilities Coordinator
(1997, 28 years)

Chief Financial Officer
(1999, 26 years)

Survey Project Manager
(1999, 26 years)

Vice-President, Director of Public Works
(1999, 26 years)

Director of Environmental Services
(2000, 25 years)

Accounting Manager
(2000, 25 years)

Senior Designer
(2001, 24 years)

Survey Manager
(2004, 23 years)

Project Administrator
(2004, 21 years)

Director of Human Resources
(2004, 21 years)

Chief of Parties
(2004, 21 years)

In addition to employee-owners with long tenures, MSA has a remarkably talented group of professionals, all dedicated to building their own careers and adding long-term value to the firm and themselves with their daily contributions.