Partners and Staff
  • Richard R. Beardmore, P.E. - President/Treasurer
  • Mr. Beardmore’s dedication to the firm has been time-tested over the last 25 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, 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 a Silver Certified project, another that is also on the Historic Register, and another pending, Mr. Beardmore has today’s issues with Green Design well in hand.

    Recent project types include healthcare, 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. - 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 submersed 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 projects have included the Topeka Shawnee County Library in cooperation with Architect Michael Graves, the Larned State Security Hospital, and piping replacements for El Dorado Correctional Campus.
  • James A. Latimer, P.E. - 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. - 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.
  • William A. Latimer, P.E. - Chairman Emeritus
  • Mr. Latimer began working for Burgess and Associates in 1956 and became a partner in 1960. With over 50 years of designing building systems, Bill has had a panoramic view of experience with HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting and power, security, and fire protection systems. He provides peer review of LSA’s design engineers and conducts research of new product application. He is challenged by the innovation process of design and the integration of all systems into the best affordable solution. Mr. Latimer brings a great asset of mentoring and has led by example with the highest of standards and exemplary character.

    Continuing to design on an on-going basis is a passion and executing the long hours and client contact it requires to perform with quality has been Bill’s standard of excellence. Building relationships with clients and colleagues alike is Mr. Latimer’s greatest desire and with this as the long-term goal, the firm has built a solid reputation as the leader in the region.

    Among the many projects Mr. Latimer has designed over the years, a great number of them were quite extensive and provided a true challenge. These projects include the Hill’s Pet Nutritional Research and Development Center, Topeka, KS; Leavenworth County Justice Center, Leavenworth, KS; Lafayette County Justice Center, Lexington, MO; Eisenhower State Office Building, Topeka, KS; Galachia Heart Hospital, Wichita, KS ($9 million); School of Education for the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Memorial Stadium and Press Box for the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Ellsworth Hall Renovation for the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Payless ShoeSource Corporate Office and Data Center, Topeka, KS.