About Us

Shawn founded Areté Structures in Boone in 2016. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Certified Bridge Safety Inspector (CBSI) with over 24 years of experience in civil and structural engineering. At Areté, Shawn leads the team in production of quality FRP pedestrian bridges and other FRP products. In addition, he leads a team of engineers at Areté Engineers doing bridge and transportation engineering design and inspection as well as commercial and residential structural engineering.

Following his service in the US Army, Shawn graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 2000. Shawn has a wealth of experience working with various states’ Departments of Transportation both as an employee and consultant, performing or overseeing the design of dozens of bridges and bridge preservation projects. He has a depth of experience in construction engineering and inspection (CEI), bridge design, bridge inspection of in-service bridges (NBSI) as well as commercial and residential structural engineering.  In addition, in 2009 and 2010, he served as the structural engineering advisor for the Marine Corps command-element-headquarters in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, assisting with base expansion and bridge repair plans.

Shawn enjoys outdoor activities, fishing, and anything entrepreneurial. He lives in Boone, NC with his wife Janet and sons, Jonathan and Zachary.

Adam began working at Areté Structures in 2016. Adam is a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Bridge Safety Inspector (CBSI) with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, design, and structural engineering in the communication, residential, and transportation industries. At Areté Structures he leads the manufacturing team and at Areté Engineers, he leads the bridge division where most of the designs of FRP bridges are completed. In addition, he has a wealth of experience in the engineering of many NCDOT post-award construction projects.

Adam graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH in 2004. After graduation, he worked in the manufactured housing industry and became familiar with the aspects of residential engineering. From 2006 to 2015, Adam was an engineer and engineering manager at a small and growing manufacturing company in the communications industry.

Adam lives in Lenoir, NC with his wife (Leah) and 4 children Acacia, Titus, Arlee, and Amelia.

Leah began working with Areté Structures in 2016 as a sales assistant. In addition, Leah has served in a variety of capacities over the years including event planning, new employee on-boarding and marketing.

Leah is a 2003 graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Communication. Prior to working with Areté, Leah worked as an account executive for two Christian radio stations.  At both radio stations, Leah worked closely with clients that wanted to grow their business through the avenue of Christian Radio Advertising.  Leah also built and maintains an existing account database for Ducarle Enterprises, an automotive undercoating company based out of Butler, Pennsylvania.

Leah enjoys coaching dance and gymnastics and lives in Lenoir, North Carolina with her husband and 4 children.  

Jack began working for Areté Structures in 2019, playing an essential role in bridge production.  Jack is a fabricator for Areté Structures who works in the manufacturing of FRP pedestrian bridges. In addition, Jack is a licensed drone operator and also assists Areté Structures’ sister company, Areté Engineers. He has worked on many bridge inspection teams with Areté Engineers, utilizing his experience in drone operation. Jack earned his Aerial Boom Lift Operation certification allowing him to operate man lifts to further assist in the inspection of DOT bridges.

Jack graduated from Appalachian State University in 2018 with a B.S. in Sustainable Development. 

Jack is interested in making things and enjoys gardening and fishing in his down time. He lives in Crumpler, North Carolina with his wife, Kayla, and two children.  

Turner began working with Areté Structures in 2018. Turner is operations manager, lead fabricator and shop manager for Areté Structures. He is responsible for the fabrication and delivery of FRP pedestrian truss bridges and boardwalk bridges and has produced or overseen nearly all of the bridges manufactured by Areté Structures.  

Turner graduated from Appalachian State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Construction Management along with a minor in Business. He developed a strong interest in the construction industry while attending Watauga High School, where he gained experience in residential construction, metal fabrication, and worked on various projects under Watauga’s construction program and was awarded the state championship in Carpentry his senior year.
In addition to Areté, Turner is a Senior Ski Patroller at Appalachian Ski Mountain where he enjoys skiing and keeping people safe. In warmer weather, he is an avid cyclist. Turner lives in Boone, NC with his wife and puppy.

John began working with Areté Structures in 2024. John assists with sales, design, and project management. John has 10 years of experience in the construction industry including design, fabrication, and installation of timber-frame strutures as well as design and quality assurance of building envelope systems.

John graduated with B.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from North Carolina State University in 2013. In 2021 he passed the NASCLA examination for commercial building contractors and worked as a general contractor in NC until he began work at Areté.

John lives in Blowing Rock with his wife, Sam, and their daughter, Marlow. In his free time, John enjoys woodworking, mountain biking, and archery.