Partners

Founded in 1993, the firm has an interesting history which provides some insight into the close working relationship formed by the founding partners, who have been working together for virtually their entire careers.

The founders, Don McMahon and Mike Mann, were friends and colleagues in graduate school in the 1970s. After graduation their career paths diverged, but they both knew they wanted to specialize in underground and environmental engineering. Both eventually returned to Buffalo as engineers with a large firm, then decided they preferred to form their own partnership.

The third partner, Ken Fishman has a doctorate in civil engineering in addition to his P.E. license, and moved to Buffalo in 1987 as a faculty member of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at the State University at Buffalo. The partners became familiar with his work, which included assessing seismic vulnerability of bridge abutments and building foundations, and began collaborating with him on certain geotechnical projects. Ken joined the firm in 1994, adding research experience and vast technical knowledge and theoretical expertise.

In 2015, the firm named two new partners - long-time project managers Shawn Logan and Todd Swackhamer. Shawn began his career with McMahon & Mann in 1997 after graduating from the University at Buffalo. He has expanded the company’s work in the solid waste industry, primarily focusing on the geotechnical and geo-environmental issues associated with solid waste disposal facilities. Shawn’s expertise in developing effective designs has also helped to expand the firm’s work in the area of slope stabilization and stream bank remediation. Todd began his professional career with the firm in 1999 after earning his Master’s degree at the University of Michigan. With his well-rounded background in geotechnical engineering, Todd has played a key role in developing and expanding the firm’s work in the areas of slope stabilization, ground improvement, creek bank stabilization, and earthen dam assessments. 

In 2017, the firm names two additional partners - project managers Jim Janora and Andy Klettke. Jim began his career with the firm in 2008 after graduating from the State University of New York at Geneseo and beginning his own geological consulting practice. As a licensed professional geologist practicing in the engineering community, Jim is responsible for expanding the company's expertise on engineering geology projects. Andy began his career with the firm in 2009 after earning a bachelor's degree at Clarkson University and a master's degree at Tufts University. Andy focuses on geotechnical engineering consulting that includes excavation support systems, subgrade preparation, embankment construction, and dam engineering.