Christopher Ell, PE, GE

Principal | Brookings Office Manager

Chris joined GRI in 2012 and has a combined 20 years of experience as a geotechnical engineer in the Pacific Northwest. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering from OSU. As a principal, he is responsible for project management and business development for public transportation projects, a technical resource to engineering staff, and to assist management of the company. He has extensive experience with design and construction of deep foundations, slope stability analysis and landslide mitigation projects, seismic design, and management of large transportation projects. He has an impressive skill set that includes an advanced understanding of driven pile capacity through training and operation of the pile driving analyzer (PDA). Earlier in his career, he designed, built, and operated the first drilled shaft inspection camera in the western US. Over the past 15 years, he has managed and provided geotechnical design services for several complex transportation projects involving new bridges and seismic retrofits, retaining walls and embankments, landslides, sign structures, and coastal bluff erosion projects valued between $15M and $330M.

What is your favorite project completed at GRI?
Newberg-Dundee Bypass (Phase 1)

What is your favorite thing about working at GRI?
The ability to be in control of your own success.

Where is your hometown? How did it shape who you are today?
Brookings, Oregon. The rural coastal environment developed my outdoor interests in surfing, free diving, enjoying clean rivers and kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, archery, enjoying pleasant weather, and storm watching.

Education
BS Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
MS Geotechnical Engineering, Oregon State University