Firm Hires and Promotes Key Staff

Lancaster, Pa. – RETTEW, a multidiscipline engineering, planning, land development, environmental consulting and surveying firm, recently strengthened its land development operations by promoting and hiring key staff.

“Collectively, these six individuals possess broad and diverse experience, allowing us to continue providing comprehensive land development services to a wide range of clients,” said Mark P. Lauriello, president, RETTEW. Lauriello added that RETTEW draws approximately one quarter of its revenue from land development work. 

Shawn E. Fabian, CPESC, CET
Fabian is a project engineering technician in the land development group in RETTEW’s Lancaster, Pa., office. Having more than seven years of experience in erosion and sediment (E&S) control, he performs E&S plan preparations and revisions. He also provides quality assurance/quality control and technical guidance to land development staff through all of RETTEW’s offices regarding stormwater best management practices. Fabian makes design recommendations for land development projects for a wide range of client types, including residential, commercial, industrial and public works. A certified engineering technician (CET) and certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC), Fabian continues to advance his knowledge of the profession, presently working on becoming a state-certified CPESC instructor. 

Fabian holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Juniata College and is a member of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association, the International Erosion Control Association and is a worshipful master of the Robert Burns Lodge No. 464 of Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member and past president of the Central Pennsylvania Juniata College Club and resides in New Holland, Lancaster County, Pa. 

Melissa A. Kelly, RLA
Kelly serves as a project manager in the land development group in RETTEW’s Lancaster office. She is responsible for managing the budget, schedule, and design tasks for all phases of a project, from conceptual plans through final design and construction. Kelly also builds and maintains client relationships, assists clients with obtaining permit approvals and coaches other land development staff. With 19 years of experience, she is a registered landscape architect (RLA) with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Penn State University.

Kelly chairs the Lancaster Township Planning Commission and is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Lancaster, an educational program founded by the Junior League of Lancaster with support from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. The program focuses on providing individuals with an overview of public education, government, public policy, healthcare, criminal justice, the arts and economic development in Lancaster County. She is also a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and resides in Lancaster, Pa.   

Linda R. Layer, PE
Layer is a project manager responsible for overseeing project management operations in RETTEW’s Chester Springs, Pa. land development group. With 25 years of experience working in New England and the mid-Atlantic region, Layer specializes in land use planning, conservation design and general civil/environmental design and assists RETTEW in identifying and pursuing land development projects that align with the principles of rural design, smart growth, conservation and development and environmental sustainability. She is also responsible for building and maintaining client relationships and coaching Chester Springs’ land development staff.

In addition to being a licensed PE in several states, Layer is presently pursuing her PE licensure in Pa. by reciprocity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minor in mechanical engineering from Roger Williams College, and has completed master’s coursework in soil science and education from the University of Massachusetts and Roger Williams University, respectively. A native of Chester County, Layer resides in Downingtown, Chester County, Pa., and is a licensed foster parent. 

Debora S. Mengoni, RLA
Mengoni is a landscape architect in the land development group in RETTEW’s Lancaster office. In her role, she performs all facets of site design and land development, including providing conceptual site planning and master planning to construction documents, coordinating with consultants, budgeting, public presentation and project management. She is experienced in working with educational institutions, parks and continuing care facilities.  

Mengoni holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Temple University and resides in Lititz, Lancaster County, Pa. 

John D. Snyder
Snyder, a project manager, was recently promoted to oversee land development operations in RETTEW’s Chambersburg, Pa., office. In his new role at RETTEW, he is responsible for providing quality assurance/quality control, building and maintaining client relationships, and coaching land development staff in the Chambersburg office. With nearly 10 years of professional experience working on land development projects for residential, commercial and industrial uses, Snyder’s plans focus on smart design principles and environmental sustainability. In addition to his knowledge of traditional neighborhood developments and sustainable design principles, he manages all aspects of a project, from site development and the approval process to obtaining highway occupancy permitting and permits relating to bog turtle habitat preservation.

Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning from Bloomsburg University, a master’s degree in environmental pollution control from Penn State University and is a member of the American Planning Association and the Pennsylvania Planning Association. He resides in Dillsburg, York County, Pa.

Joel E. Young, RLA
RETTEW recently promoted Young to group manager in the land development group in the firm’s Lancaster office. He is responsible for managing RETTEW’s project teams in the land development group, coaching staff and providing site design, site planning, master planning, zoning submittals, land development submittals and cost estimates for numerous educational institutions, urban revitalization projects, housing developments and recreation projects. With more than 17 years of experience in landscape architecture and site planning, Young also assists with consultant coordination, budget management, making public presentations and project management.

An RLA in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York, Young earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Penn State University and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He is a member of ASLA and the Society of College and University Planners, and resides in Willow Street, Lancaster County, Pa.

About RETTEW
Established in 1969, RETTEW is a full-service firm providing engineering, land development, planning, surveying and environmental consulting services. With 250 employees, RETTEW has offices located in Camp Hill, Chambersburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster, Nazareth, and Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; and Liberty and Margaretville, N.Y. For more information on any of RETTEW’s services, please call 1-800-RETTEW-5 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it