MEET OUR LEADERS

David J. Mantone, P.E.

President

David J. Mantone, P.E., President of DJM Consulting Engineering, is the engineering leader and the driving force behind the firm’s continued growth and innovation. Through years of focused dedication to his profession, he has cultivated deep expertise across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and renewable energy systems- bringing an integrated perspective to every project the firm delivers.

Since founding DJM Consulting, David has built the company around a simple philosophy: pair technical excellence with strong business acumen and genuine collaboration. His dual focus on design integrity and financial stewardship ensures that projects not only perform but also make practical, economic sense for clients. David remains directly involved in project design and mentoring, fostering a culture where innovation, accountability, and professional growth thrive. His forward-thinking approach and multi-disciplinary expertise continue to position DJM Consulting as a trusted partner for clients and an inspiring environment for engineers looking to make an impact.

Leonidas Kopsaftis

Vice President of Operations

Leonidas’s life’s work has been to continually develop, foster and improve operational strategies to best align teams to succeed in the rapidly changing built environment. His passion for effective communication, responsiveness and accountability is the keystone to his approach in overseeing the day-to-day operations and planning for the firm’s future. His proven track record as a team leader and experience developing projects from pre-design through construction enables him to foresee future obstacles, and rapidly expedite solutions. His creative and strategic thought process helps him come up with a copious supply of solutions to whatever challenge he may face.

Leonidas values the truth above all else and is primarily convinced by logical reasoning. With his enthusiasm and spontaneity, he brings a refreshing approach to decision making and firm leadership.

Lance B. Smith, P.E., LEED AP

Principal

Lance B. Smith, P.E., LEED AP, Principal at DJM Consulting Engineering, provides technical leadership from pre-construction through project closeout with a focus on comprehensive construction administration. With decades of experience overseeing complex building infrastructure and large-scale projects, he brings a steady, hands-on approach that ensures disciplined coordination, schedule control, and effective communication among all project stakeholders.

Lance’s ability to balance client priorities, field realities, and technical precision allows projects to progress efficiently and with a high degree of constructability. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he consistently integrates sustainable design principles that enhance long-term system performance, reliability, and operational efficiency- reinforcing DJM Consulting’s commitment to practical, forward-thinking engineering.

Mark F. Howe, P.E.

Mechanical Department Head

Mark F. Howe, P.E., Mechanical Department Head at DJM Consulting Engineering, is a licensed Professional Engineer with decades of experience in design of mechanical systems across diverse project environments. His career began in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear steam-plant operator aboard submarines and has evolved through senior engineering and project management roles within leading A/E and MEP firms.

Mark’s depth of experience spans mission-critical facilities, laboratories, healthcare, education, commercial, and industrial buildings. His combination of technical rigor, field understanding, and collaborative leadership ensures that DJM’s mechanical designs are efficient, reliable, and fully coordinated across all disciplines.

Laurie D. Wade

Senior Plumbing / Fire Protection Designer

Laurie D. Wade is a Senior Mechanical Designer at DJM Consulting Engineering, specializing in plumbing and fire protection systems for industrial, warehouse, and logistics facilities. With decades of hands-on design experience, she brings a practical understanding of how system design influences constructability, reliability, and long-term maintenance.

Laurie is known for her methodical, code-driven approach and her ability to adapt existing systems to meet new operational requirements. Her work consistently balances functionality, efficiency, and compliance – ensuring DJM Consulting delivers coordinated, high-performing designs under demanding project schedules.

Kevin C. Higgins, P.E.

Director of Solar Engineering

Kevin C. Higgins, P.E., leads DJM Consulting Engineering’s Solar Engineering Group with a focus on innovation, technical precision, and energy efficiency. His authentic leadership and passion for emerging technology drive the design and implementation of advanced DC and AC systems that meet complex interconnection and code requirements across the U.S.

In addition to his solar expertise, Kevin brings broad MEP design and project management experience, ensuring each design is optimized for performance, constructability, and cost control. His ability to bridge technical detail with client objectives helps advance DJM Consulting’s role as a leader in renewable and sustainable design.

Francis Owusu

Senior Electrical Designer

Francis Owusu is a Senior Electrical Designer at DJM Consulting Engineering with extensive experience in developing electrical systems for a wide range of building types and infrastructure projects. He combines strong technical knowledge with a detail-oriented design approach to deliver safe, efficient, and code-compliant solutions that align with each client’s operational goals.

Known for his collaborative working style, Francis partners closely with clients, architects, and project teams to ensure seamless coordination across disciplines. His commitment to precision, communication, and design excellence supports DJM Consulting’s mission of delivering reliable, high-performing electrical systems that meet both present and future needs.

Arjay H. Vergara, LEED AP

Senior Mechanical Designer

Arjay H. Vergara, LEED AP, is a Senior Mechanical Designer at DJM Consulting Engineering with extensive experience in the design and coordination of complex HVAC and mechanical systems. He has led and supported projects of varying scale and complexity, delivering high-performance mechanical solutions that balance innovation, efficiency, and constructability. Arjay brings a practical, solutions-driven approach that ensures each design meets both technical and operational objectives.

His strong technical foundation is complemented by advanced proficiency in Revit Building Information Modeling (BIM), enabling the seamless integration of MEP systems within multidisciplinary project teams. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Arjay applies sustainable design strategies that enhance performance and long-term value, supporting DJM Consulting’s commitment to forward-thinking, high-quality engineering.