Our Story
Hubbard Merrell was started by Bob Hubbard and Dave Merrell in 2012. Bob and Dave started working together at TOR Engineering in Phoenix, AZ in 1999. After 13 years of success in developing and managing the structural engineering department at TOR, they decided to partner together to further develop the structural department and create Hubbard Merrell Engineering (HM) in Flagstaff, AZ. TOR and HM continue to enjoy a strong working relationship today, while focusing on different engineering disciplines.
HM provides structural engineering services to a wide range of clients, including architects, civil engineers, contractors, utility companies, health care facilities, private home owners, commercial developers and aerial adventure course manufacturers. HM’s staff includes registered professional engineers, certified Engineers in Training, drafters, aerial adventure course experts, engineering student interns and administrative staff. Together, HM has over 80 years of industry experience.
Working and living in Northern Arizona allows us to provide our Arizona and Southwest clients with unmatched knowledge of local conditions and Building Code requirements that affect the structural designs in our region. Our staff provides quick response to our clients’ requests, including on-site consultation during all phases of design and construction.
In addition to our local roots, Hubbard Merrell principals are registered as professional engineers in 28 states and counting. In 2010, Hubbard Merrell (then a part of TOR) ventured into the Aerial Adventure Course structural design world which includes zip lines, climbing walls and challenge courses. Since that time, HM and its staff have become leaders in the aerial adventure course industry, providing cost effective structural engineering for Aerial Adventure Courses including Zip Lines and have become a widely used resource for the most current government regulation information available in the United States. We are continuing to expand our services nationally and internationally as they relate to this industry.
Our Principals
Our Team
Samantha Olson
EIT
Project Designer
Victor Wing
Structural Intern
Robert A. Hubbard | P.E., S.E.
Principal/Owner
Bob was born and raised in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering, specializing in structural engineering, in 1981.
After graduation, Bob moved to Wyoming and started his structural engineering career. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 and continued his profession there until he and his family moved to Flagstaff in 1999.
Bob and his wife Suzanna have two grown children and are now “empty nesters”. They thoroughly enjoy living and working in Flagstaff with all that Northern Arizona has to offer.
+1 (928) 526-6174 | Email Bob
David S. Merrell | P.E., M.L.S.E
Principal / Owner
Dave is a Principal/Owner with Hubbard Merrell Engineering. Dave oversees all engineering production for Hubbard Merrell; including projects, design, review, and coordination with Hubbard Merrell project managers, project engineers, designers, and CAD personnel. He also has direct interaction with project clients, contractors, and other design consultants.
Dave is responsible for structural engineering design and management from start of design to end of construction. Individual engineering services and responsibilities include; preliminary structural systems design, project design, project review, and coordination of structural engineering services provided by Hubbard Merrell Engineering.
Dave’s experience in the Aerial Adventure Course industry goes back to when he worked as a guide at a summer camp as a teenager. He has been designing courses professionally since 2010. Dave has worked on well over 100 projects across the industry, including; zip line tours, aerial adventure parks, challenge courses, and climbing structures. Dave’s understanding of the available Standards and typical operation of the elements has led to the overall success on these projects.
+1 (928) 526-6174 | Email David
Geoffrey D. Wertz | P.E., M.S.E.
Project Engineer
Geoff was born and raised in Flagstaff. He graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics in 2013 and from Arizona State University with a Master of Science in Engineering in 2015. He has been with Hubbard Merrell since 2015 and is currently a Senior Project Manager.
+1 (928) 526-6174 | Email Geoff
Jamie L. Miele
Business Manager
Jamie is an Air Force brat who moved to Flagstaff in 1997 to attend Northern Arizona University. She graduated from NAU in 2001 with a degree in Speech Communication and has worked in the civil engineering field providing business management services for 15 years. Jamie is glad to call Flagstaff and Hubbard Merrell her home.
+1 (928) 526-6174 | Email Jamie
Emily Jarrett, E.I.T.
Engineering Designer
Emily joined our team in 2024. She earned an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University and brings 4 years of design experience to our team.
+1 (928) 526-6174 | Email Emily
Samantha Olson, E.I.T.
Project Manager
Sam joined Hubbard Merrell in June of 2021 as an intern. After graduation at the University of Iowa, Sam made the move to Flagstaff to be a full-time Project Designer.
Victor Wing
Structural Intern
Victor joined our team as an intern in the summer of 2022. He will earn his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northern Arizona University in May 2023 and will become a full-time E.I.T. with Hubbard Merrell.