Partners and Staff
  • Richard R. Beardmore, P.E.,LEED AP
    Chairman of the Board/President
  • Mr. Beardmore’s dedication to the firm has been time-tested over the last 29 years. Being sure deadlines are met, the office is organized, training is current, and staff is utilized to their potential, are all items on the daily to-do list. Being a leader outside the office is just as important as is exemplified with his work on various American Consulting Engineers Council Boards, being the Chair of the Topeka Mechanical Review Board, Topeka Planning Commission, President of Topeka Country Club, and other roles in philanthropic groups.

    Involvement in a wide range of projects in different jurisdictions allows Mr. Beardmore’s perspective on building system solutions to be comprehensive. This includes diverse methods of delivery from Design-Build, to Negotiated, to traditional plan and specification. As a LEED Accredited Professional with two Silver Certified projects and another that is also on the Historic Register, Mr. Beardmore has today’s issues with green design well in hand. Promoting an enhanced focus on information technology, security, and audio/visual design has given LSA an added value to their clients.

    Recent project types include healthcare, office, correctional, religious, educational, retail, multi-family, and sports facilities in several different states. Mr. Beardmore is continuing to bring added value to the firm by undertaking graduate coursework in Fire Protection Engineering from Worchester Polytechnical Institute in Massachusetts.
  • William R. Bassette, P.E., LEED AP
    Vice President/Secretary
  • Mr. Bassette has gravitated to serving the public sector in an on-call engineering role where the client is comfortable in making one call and knowing the project will be well taken care of. State and Federal projects that involve intricate renovation and restoration details are challenges that are taken in stride and brought to their completion.

    For the last several years, Mr. Bassette has been immersed in the Kansas Statehouse Restoration Project that is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. No one is better suited to get his arms around this massive undertaking and lead the contractor through the hundred year old plus structure to bring a state-of-the-art facility to reality while preserving this historic masterpiece.

    Other notable projects have included the Topeka Shawnee County Library in cooperation with Architect Michael Graves of New York, the 225 bed, 300,000 sq. ft. Larned State Security Hospital, replacement of the district high pressure steam, pumped condensate return and chilled water piping system for El Dorado Correctional Facility and new utility tunnels to connect district steam, chilled water and emergency power to the buildings of the State of Kansas Capitol Complex.
  • James A. Latimer, P.E., LEED AP
    Vice President
  • Mr. Latimer brings a rigorous method to the often times madness of mechanical-electrical design. His education and expertise in the electrical engineering side of the business brings great support in the power distribution, conditioning, and coordination of electrical systems, and analysis of the anomalies and oddities that can plague facilities. Mr. Latimer’s dedication to each project produces a thorough and well-presented set of documents that lead the contractor through what can be an intimidating complexity of building systems.

    Analysis of new products, methods, and solutions is commonplace and has allowed facilities such as Security Benefit Group’s Corporate Headquarters to be known as one of the most state-of-the-art workplaces in the region. A new elementary school for Auburn Washburn Unified School District has an advanced air distribution system that brings environmental air directly to the student level. Mr. Latimer has also completed a new Recreation Center and Art Building at Washburn University.

    Mr. Latimer has received various lighting awards including a national award. His involvement extends beyond the office as he has held memberships in ASHRAE, IEEE, IES, KCE, and NSPE.
  • David B. Everhart, P.E., LEED AP - Partner
  • Mr. Everhart’s dedication and enthusiasm for a thorough product has made his ascent to Partner a natural one. Energy and lighting analysis are a part of the design tools that create solutions that work best for the clients. Mr. Everhart has a great deal of experience with these as well as LEED submittal documentation.

    Some recent work includes housing, correctional, educational, regional retail, and military projects. Each of these he supervises from initial client contact, through design, and into completion with construction administration.
  • Alexandre K. Karam, P.E. - Partner
  • Mr. Karam has brought a broad global view and work ethic to the Heartland and attained Partner status by demonstrating an expertise in design and construction administration. The ability to communicate with all parties involved in a project from a CEO of a corporation, to the plumber responsible for a medical gas system, to the electrician wiring the emergency generator, is a talent that Mr. Karam has developed.

    Recent projects include various central plant renovations, offices, educational facilities, healthcare, retail, and military installations.
  • David Eric Hethcoat, P.E. - Partner
  • Mr. Hethcoat is driven to produce a quality product via thorough research and a full understanding of construction materials, methods, and procedures thereby giving the client the best value for the facility. Construction administration, on-site direction, and problem-solving are among Mr. Hethcoat’s strengths as he has become Partner.

    Recent projects include Valspar factory chilled water system, Washburn University Whiting Fieldhouse Renovation and Remodel, as well as offices, healthcare, shop buildings, military, housing, correctional, and educational facilities.
  • Andrew J. Hess, P.E., LEED AP - Associate
  • Mr. Hess has nine years of MEP design experience with LSA. He enjoys coordinating on-site with a project’s mechanical and electrical contractors once a bid has been awarded and is dedicated to addressing the client’s concerns and providing sound design solutions. Recent projects include: Numerous projects at Auburn-Washburn and Seaman School Districts in the Topeka, KS area, Kansas Department of Labor and Corrections, Kansas Army National Guard’s Readiness Center, and designs for several fraternities and sororities. Mr. Hess has also been involved in design projects for building electrical distribution systems and stand-by power generation.
  • Richard W. Hammer, P.E., LEED AP
  • Mr. Hammer has seven years of MEP design experience, and enjoys handling a project from the initial stages to the final construction administration duties. Recent work for the State of Kansas includes projects for: Kansas Army National Guard, Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, Department of Corrections, and the Juvenile Justice Authority. Other projects types include: Brewster Place Rehabilitation addition, Topeka Periodontics office, Iola First Christian Church, and Kansas Children’s Service League Office.
  • Kyle R. Wilk, P.E., LEED AP
  • Mr. Wilk has five years of MEP design experience with LSA, and has worked on various education and medical facilities. Recent projects include work for USD 345-Seaman School District, USD 437-Auburn/Washburn School District and various projects with the Kansas Army National Guard’s Forbes Field, including the Civil Engineering Building and Fire Station.


  • David Felch, RCDD
  • Mr. Felch is an experienced Telecommunications Designer, with 27 years of experience designing telecommunications systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD). Mr. Felch has provided telecommunications design for various clients including: The Larned State Hospital, Kansas Capitol Complex Security Fiber Optics Expansion, University of Kansas, Washburn University, Kansas Air National Guard, Kansas Army National Guard, Family Service and Guidance Center, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Corporate Office, and several others.
  • Kevin Taylor, RCDD
  • Mr. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology Administration and is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD). He has been with LSA for 12 years. He has provided telecommunications design for various clients including: The University of Kansas, Washburn University, Kansas Air National Guard, Kansas Army National Guard, Westar Energy, and several others.