Gregory F. Braze, P.L.S., Principal, President, Firm Partner
Gregory F. Braze leads the Land Survey Division for Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. The field of surveying is much more than a career path for Greg, it is treasured memories that stem back to his earlier years where he had the honor of working side by side with his father. Greg takes great pride in contributing high quality service and dedication to LBE, Inc. for over 30 years. Through his commitment to the success of the company and other team members, including his father, Greg became the company’s partner in 1996. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Greg is adept in identifying local developmental and industry trends which has served great success with his clients. Greg also enjoys applying his passion for technology into improving LBE, Inc.’s once manual theodolite surveying tools to today’s innovative total station equipment that includes a full onsite GPS Base Station. As an expert in boundary issues, Greg has also served as a formal and an informal advisor for the Counties of Santa Clara and Alameda.
Jeff Lea, P.E., P.L.S., Principal Emeritus, Firm Partner, Retired
Jeff Lea, Principal Emeritus, is an original founder of the Lea & Braze Engineering. Prior to finding Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc., Jeff moved from North Carolina and began his career at a Civil Design and Surveying firm in 1970 alongside his uncle and mentor, Jay Hammond. Having discovered his passion for Civil Engineering, Jeff went on to complete his degree in Civil Engineering at San Jose State University, and obtained a license in Surveying. Over the years, Jeff had become fully immersed in the construction industry and went on to start his own firm, Lea Engineering. Lea Engineering started as a two person firm and grew steadily into a firm with close to 50 employees, in part due to Jeff’s commitment in delivering high quality work, and having a group of hard working staff. He considers himself fortunate to work alongside such dedicated individuals who share the same goals and values. Jeff believes in cultivating a fun and positive work environment, therefore he encourages his staff to stay energized and motivated. He often enjoys mentoring younger engineers into having a successful career in the industry. Jeff’s success today stems from two important core values he adopted at an early age from his uncle; he believes a design firm is a service focused business, and as such, needs to work diligently to materialize his clients’ visions, as well as embody the “winning the war rather than the battle” philosophy when navigating through the complexity of the construction plan approval process.
Peter Carlino, P.E., Q.S.D., Q.S.P., Principal, Vice President, Firm Partner
Peter Carlino currently manages Lea and & Braze Engineering, Inc.’s second office in Roseville, California. Pete began working with the firm in 1999 as an Engineer Drafter and Technician while pursuing a Civil Engineering degree at San Jose State University. While working at Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc., Pete was offered an opportunity to be involved with a variety of projects, and with enthusiasm, he fully immersed himself around various civil design projects. He then went on to becoming Project Manager, and assumed his current role as Partner to the firm. Pete understands the importance of commitment and hard work; therefore, he goes above and beyond for every client he works with. His goal is to build on the company’s foundation of high quality service, and offer clients a consistent commitment in providing high standard work as well as service to build customer loyalty. When Pete is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his two children.
Jim Toby, P.E., P.L.S., Q.S.D. , Principal, Vice President, Firm Partner
Jim Toby has more than 20 years of experience within the industry. He began his career with Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. when it was operating under Lea & Sung Engineering and quickly advanced his position into becoming a partner with the firm in 2007. Over the years, Jim has played a variety of roles within the firm; Intern Drafter and Surveyor while finishing his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and later, his Master’s degree with an emphasis in Construction Management at San Jose State University. Jim now leads a competent team of engineers and has since expanded his experience to subdivision, land planning, custom residential design, commercial and education at Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. In addition, Jim works hard to stay innovative with the constant change of government regulations involving Storm Water Quality, a service sector he’s become an expert in. He also strives to find a balance between strict Storm Water regulations and producing a simplified, yet functional system. Jim attributes much of his interest and love for Civil Engineering to his high school professor, Mr. Pershing, who played an instrumental part in guiding Jim down his career path. With much appreciation and gratitude for his professor’s professional guidance, Jim is now heavily involved in Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc.’s college internship program by providing professional advice and mentorship to the firm’s interns.
Mirko Ferreira, Principal, Vice President, Firm Partner
Mirko Ferreira, Land Survey Department Manager, joined Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. in 2003 and currently manages the work flow and projects in the firm’s Survey Department. While working for Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc., Mirko got the opportunity to be mentored by the firm’s President, Gregory Braze, where he was trained in Boundary Surveying and Contouring. Mirko now oversees all aspects of the firm’s Land Survey Department. Mirko began his career as a consultant in telecommunications designing miles of fiber optic backbone around the San Francisco and Bay Area regions. He later shifted his focus to the “last mile” designs and solutions for private and public companies. With extensive experience in design and drafting, Mirko was able to successfully implement drafting standards and aesthetic changes to topographic surveys, which gives Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. its distinction from other firms. Mirko enjoys coaching his older son’s soccer team as well as playing straight pool and 9-ball.
Alex Abaya, Principal, Vice President, Firm Partner
Alex joined Lea & Braze Engineers straight out of college. As a Construction survey manager at Lea & Braze Engineers for more than 14 years, Alex has completed more than 500 residential, commercial and mixed-use projects. Throughout his time at Lea & Braze Engineering, Alex has contributed to the growth of the firm. Alex has provided introduction to Land Survey training seminars for multiple local jurisdiction building department planners and inspectors including City of Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park and City of Mountain View. He is also a mentor to interns and entry level staff. He Provides company training for new survey technology, survey equipment, survey methodology, and FEMA flood hazard topics. He attends Cal State University Fresno Geomatics conference yearly for ongoing professional development, keeping abreast of new technology, and promoting surveying and civil engineering as a career to college students.
Jerry Gonzales, Business Development Manager
Jerry Gonzales is one of Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc.’s veterans with more than 30 years of experience. Jerry has a broad understanding of Land Development, Planning, Building and Construction, and is a Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo graduate with prior experience in structural and architectural drafting. Jerry decided early to pursue the field of Engineering with a focus in the technical engineering side of design. Given the supportive work environment at Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc., Jerry has been able to move up through the ranks to hold a senior position in the Civil Department. He spends the majority of his time working closely with Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc.’s Principals to analyzing new projects and business development opportunities. He also acts as advisor and mentor, sharing his wealth of knowledge of local standards and current trends with fellow engineers and clients. A Northern California native, Jerry appreciates the diverse culture that California has to offer. His interests include tracking business trends, sustainable "green" building and development practices, listening to music, hiking, fishing, or kayaking. As a matter of both personal and professional interests, Jerry finds that tracking business development trends helps a great deal in interacting with his peers and clients. He also maintains a positive attitude while continuing to look at challenges as a matter of creative problem solving. Jerry has been happily married for over 30 years and enjoys time with his tight knit family, extended family and friends.
Tracy Rogers- Daly, Accounting Manager and Corporate Secretary
Tracy has more than a decade of experience of working in payroll, staff, and tax accounting. She has worked in accounting for the trucking and warehousing industry. Tracy was involved with the implementation 2020/2021 of ERP software Ajera. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Colorado State University, Cum laude, Sigma Beta Delta, Delta Mu Delta, and Golden Key International Honour Society.
Tina Aday, Marketing Director
Tina has been in marketing communications for the Architectural/Engineering and Construction (A/E/C) Industry for more than a decade. Earlier in her career, she had extensive experience in Renewable Energy and was both a reporter and editor for multiple daily newspapers in the Bay Area. She also serves as a writer for the Society for Marketing Professional Services, San Francisco Chapter, Communications Committee. Tina’s marketing experience has been focused on the support and drive of business development and marketing communications. She holds a Master of Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley.
Roxana Corona, PE, OSD, Senior Project Manager
Roxana has been part of the Lea & Braze Engineering team since 2008. She began as civil intern assisting in commercial, residential and public sector projects. Her leadership and communication skills with the design team members, clients and various municipality officials have helped promote her to her current role as Senior Project Manager. At the beginning of 2020 Roxana was placed in charge of our newly expanded San Jose Branch Office. She leads a team of highly skilled civil engineers in various development types throughout San Mateo and Silicon Valley. Roxana has experience working on various phases of project development including preliminary site assessment, land planning, drainage design, utility design, stormwater management (C.3), hydromodification and runoff treatment designs
Chris Phan, P.E., Q.S.D., Q.S.P., Project Manager
Chris Phan joined Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. in 2012 and has a combined experience in Civil Engineering and Construction of over 14 years. Chris began his career as a Field Surveyor performing Construction Staking, Topographic and Boundary Surveys. As a designer, Mr. Phan has a background in various sectors, such as; residential, commercial, hospitals, academic institutions and public works. Chris is also experienced in the ever-evolving Stormwater Management requirements from different jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area especially San Francisco. Beyond his diverse technical skills and knowledge, Chris is proactive in communicating with the city officials, clients, design team members and contractor to ensure high quality in every single project.
Alex Henson, P.E., QSP, Project Manager
Alex came to Lea & Braze Engineering as an intern, in 2012, and quickly made his way to project management. Prior to joining the firm, Alex, worked in research development and member outreach for a rural electric cooperative. Alex enjoys the fast pace of working on numerous high end and historical estates throughout Bay Area. He has also been part of the management and design of major subdivisions in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County. In his free time Alex enjoys the outdoors and returning the Northern Sierras.
Denis Maslennikov, P.E., Project Manager
Denis began his career in Civil Engineering as an intern with San Francisco Public Works and then joined Lea & Braze Engineering in 2016. During his time with the firm, Denis has gained experience in not only grading and drainage but other Civil-design related elements such as septic and stormwater management design. Denis has worked on several major projects that include high-end residences, fire stations, and zoo exhibits. Denis enjoys traveling and always takes the opportunity to explore a new country.
Johnny Chiu, P.E., QSD, Civil Engineer Project Manager
Johnny joined Lea & Braze Engineering in 2014 as a civil engineer. Johnny has an extensive background in land development from planning study, project entitlement, and improvement plans designs. Johnny believes in delivering superior customer service to clients through collaborative project consultation and construction administration management. He has experience in securing development permits along with permits for industrial and commercial sites, residential subdivisions, roadway infrastructure, private/public site plans, utility systems analysis, and compliance with CEQA, LEED, and other agency clean water and green building programs.
He has completed numerous public works projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Johnny enjoys collaborating and interacting with Federal, State and local agencies, consultants, and clients. His notable projects include San Leandro Tech Campus (SLTC) and a multifamily development in the Bay area. In his spare time, Johnny enjoys general aviation, amateur radio operation, audio system building and photography.
Tony Cao, P.E., Q.S.D., Project Manager
Tony Cao joined Lea & Braze Engineering as a civil design engineer in 2016. He believes to be an effective civil engineer not only takes technical expertise but strong communication skills. Tony joined Lea & Braze Engineering straight out of San Jose State University and has transitioned to a project manager since June of 2022. Tony’s projects experience has been focused on grading/drainage and utilities of high-end residential, sewer extension/annexation, subdivisions, erosion control plan, SWPPP plans/inspections, and mixed-use projects. He plans to continue to grow as an engineer and manager in both personal and technical senses. Tony enjoys spending time with his son, and tinkering with computer technology.
