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AUSTIN, TEXAS. As Dunaway approaches its 70th anniversary, the firm is excited to announce the acquisition of Bontempo Structural Engineering, Inc. (BSE), a respected structural engineering firm based in Austin, Texas. This strategic move enhances Dunaway’s existing structural engineering services to include specialized expertise in bridge inspection and federal highway safety compliance.

Strengthening Central Texas 

Dunaway has appointed Luke Esser, PE, Line of Business Executive and Principal, to lead the transition alongside Stephen M. Bontempo, PE, Owner and Founder of Bontempo Structural Engineering, Inc.

Esser began his career at Dunaway in 2015 and was instrumental in establishing the firm’s structural engineering practice. With extensive experience in private and institutional projects, Luke remains responsible for the growth, management, and quality of the structural engineering department at Dunaway. He is excited to continue to expand the firm’s structural engineering capabilities through the acquisition. As Esser notes, “By joining forces with Bontempo, we’re not only growing our structural capabilities but also bringing unique, industry-leading expertise in bridge condition and safety inspection statewide.”

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By joining forces with Bontempo, we’re not only growing our structural capabilities but also bringing unique, industry-leading expertise in bridge condition and safety inspection statewide.

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Luke Esser, PE, Line of Business Executive and Principal
Bontempo’s Legacy 

Stephen Bontempo, PE, has over 40 years of experience in bridge inspection and structural engineering services. In 2004, he founded Bontempo Structural Engineering, Inc., and built a reputation for excellence by consistently providing thorough, accurate, on-time bridge inspections throughout Texas. Over the past two decades, the firm has managed nine consecutive TxDOT routine bridge inspection contracts, overseeing inspections for more than 25,500 bridges across 60 work authorizations statewide.

Stephen joins Dunaway as Vice President and will lead best practices in planning, scheduling, inspections, load rating analysis, and quality control. “Everyone at BSE is excited to join Dunaway’s multidisciplinary team and contribute our deep expertise in bridge safety,” says Stephen. “We are looking forward to combining talents and resources to deliver even greater value to our clients and communities across Texas.”

Seventy Years of Service 

As a multidisciplinary firm, Dunaway offers a wide range of services, including civil and structural engineering, survey, planning + landscape architecture, CIS (Construction Inspection Services), environmental, GIS, ROW (Right-of-Way), and SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering).

Through the acquisition of BSE, Dunaway continues to execute its vision to be the leading independent multi-discipline design firm in Texas by expanding its structural services to include advanced inspection planning, bridge inspection, and load rating analysis, and compliance with state and federal highway safety standards, furthering its commitment to infrastructure safety and reliability.

As Dunaway’s CEO and Principal, Chris Wilde, PE, notes: “This acquisition marks an exciting chapter in Dunaway’s growth story. By integrating Bontempo’s specialized expertise, we are better positioned to serve our clients and support Texas’s critical infrastructure needs.”