With the firm since 1984, Mason is a Senior Principal at Forell | Elsesser. One of Mason’s most effective roles at the firm is orchestrating teams of engineers to leverage their varied areas of expertise, and quickly develop solutions to even the most complex problems. He constantly explores solution concepts and ideas that are outside the norm, leading to unexpectedly elegant and efficient solutions–a practice he encourages with those he mentors. Mason has also had success in crossing lines between engineering disciplines and construction processes to improve existing structural engineering methods to the benefit of F/E’s clients.

As a well-known industry leader, Mason is a resource for in-house staff and colleagues. His engineering expertise includes such diverse areas as sustainable concrete mix design, seismic isolation of new and historic buildings, long-span bridge design, and performance-based seismic design of steel structures. He excels at the analysis, testing, and design for unusual projects that fall outside the scope of traditional building codes. In the early 1990’s, he developed specifications and testing requirements that were used for the U.S. Court of Appeals seismic retrofit in San Francisco, the first federally funded seismic isolation project. Mason is a licensed Structural Engineer in California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and licensed Professional Engineer in D.C. Mason earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Engineering degree in Structural Engineering and Structural Mechanics from UC Berkeley.

Mason’s recreational interests include hiking, fly fishing, cinema, metalworking, and carpentry.  He sometimes integrates the latter two interests into his structural engineering practice by building physical models of structures and structural hardware to quickly enhance the clients’ and colleagues’ grasp of complex structural concepts.

Professional Associations

• University of California Office of the President Seismic Advisory Board (Charter Member, Chair 2017-2022)
• Caltrans Seismic Advisory Board
• Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC), Solar Photovoltaic Systems Seismic Committee, Voting Member
• Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Director (2003-2005); Convention Technical Committee, Former Co-Chair; Program Committee, Former Chair; Subcommittee on Protective Systems; Subcommittee on Non-Building Structures
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
• International Association for Bridge & Structural Engineering (IABSE)

Paul Rodler has been with the firm since 1986 and is a Senior Principal and past COO of Forell | Elsesser. His straightforward approach to design is directly linked to his keen awareness of issues surrounding the constructability of buildings. He focuses on ease and economy of construction while creating buildable structural solutions for his clients.

As COO, Paul developed the company’s information technology systems to support Forell | Elsesser’s advanced BIM capabilities, and continues to help advance the firm to the leading edge of technical advancements within the industry. He also advocates for Integrated Project Delivery techniques to enable the efficiency and fast pace of design-build projects. Through his embrace of advancements in project design and delivery methods, Paul has made valued contributions to the success of numerous civic, education, healthcare, and data center projects. Paul is a licensed structural engineer in California and Missouri. He has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Stanford University.

Paul can be found enjoying his passion for open-wheel car racing when he is not busy finding solutions to engineering challenges.

.Professional Associations

• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
• Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)

Simin Naaseh is a Senior Principal, and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Forell | Elsesser. She previously served as the firm’s CEO until August 2020. Simin is a recognized leader in the A/E/C industry and has devoted much time serving in leadership positions in many professional organizations. She thrives on building strong relationships with clients and colleagues and applies this strength internally to foster a collaborative working environment. She enjoys design-build projects and is a Designated Design-Build Professional (DBIA). Simin has an interest in large-scale and complex projects particularly because of their intrinsically collaborative nature. With a history of managing both large and small projects since 1983, Simin also recognizes that the key to a project’s success is working closely with clients to create a customized solution to suit each client’s goals, whether that means attention to seismic performance, cost-effectiveness, or a fast schedule.

Under her leadership as former CEO and president, Simin deepened the firm’s traditions of technical excellence and exceptional service and reinvigorated its long-standing tradition of investing in research and development. Simin’s special interest in advancing the firm as one of the most innovative structural engineering firms in the nation is shared by the new generation of firm leaders who continue to advance this goal. Simin is invested in mentoring the firm’s young staff, with an emphasis on supporting women and minorities to develop as leaders in the firm. Simin received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Azar Abadegan in Tabriz, Iran, and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor.

When she is not busy with contributing to Forell | Elsesser’s success, Simin can be found hiking, cooking with her family, or indulging in her passion for music.

Professional Associations

• Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Fellow, Past-President
• Design-Build Institute of America, Western Pacific Region (DBIA WPR), Board Member
• OSHPD Hospital Building Safety Board Member (HBSB), Former Member 2008-2016
• American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF), Former Public Board Member
• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Member
• San Francisco Planning + Urban Research (SPUR), Member
• California Preservation Foundation (CPF), Past Trustee