About Calichi Design Group

The Calichi Story

A civil engineering firm built on direct access, technical depth, and principal involvement from first call through final inspection.

How it all Started

Calichi was founded in 2009 with clear purpose: treat every project like we own it. Listen to our clients and partners, and grow to meet their needs. Learn where the codes hurt, where they bend, and where they support. Invest in the best tools and master them. Work harder, work smarter, live the design.

The firm started in Sacramento, soon moved to Oakland, and grew roots. We followed our clients wherever they led — eventually to licensure and projects in 42 states, China, and Saudi Arabia. Then we realized we were diluting our practice, and pulled back. Today we focus on what we know best: the Western US. California and Arizona from Oakland. Oregon and Washington from our Hood River and Portland offices. Hawaii from Maui. Say yes when asked. Let our clients and their projects shape the company.

2009

Year founded

State PE licenses

$300M

Projects up to

Offices

How we work

Three things we control, on every project.

Quality

We layer in quality at every step. Principals stay involved through design and delivery. AI tools help us review and refine the work. We maintain strict quality controls on every deliverable.

Responsiveness

Answer the phone. Respond to emails within 24 hours. Set a realistic schedule and work to beat it. Our clients know we're available and ready to act.

Technical Excellence

All projects modeled in 3D. Hydrology and hydraulic modeling, C.3 stormwater design, water system modeling, strict ADA compliance, BIM coordination. We focus on the technical work because that's how projects succeed.

Our leadership

Four offices. Each led by a local expert. The firm was built with principal involvement on every part of every project — no rotating teams. When you call, you talk to the person doing the work.

Reco Prianto

Principal in Charge

Dual B.S. in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. PE licensed in 8 states with 25+ years of experience. Leads firm strategy and serves as principal-in-charge on every project. Dual B.S. in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. PE licensed in 8 states with an active NCEES record. Over 25 years of experience serving as principal-in-charge and project manager on developments exceeding $300M in combined construction value. Specialties include site planning, utility design, DSA compliance, hydromodification modeling, and BIM coordination. Certified Natural Disaster Safety Assessor through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Dave Conner

Oakland Office Lead

Leads the Oakland headquarters. Manages project financials, delivery schedules, and client coordination across the Bay Area portfolio. Leads the Oakland headquarters and manages project financials, budgets, and delivery schedules across the firm's California portfolio. Bridges financial operations and project execution, ensuring projects stay on budget and on schedule from notice to proceed through closeout.

Aaron Mack

Portland & Hood River Lead

Leads the Pacific Northwest offices. Manages civil design and plan production for land development and stormwater compliance projects across Oregon and Washington. Leads the Portland and Hood River offices, managing civil design and plan production for land development and stormwater compliance projects. Engineer-in-Training working toward PE licensure, with hands-on experience in grading design, BES stormwater compliance, PBOT coordination, and agency permitting across Oregon and Washington jurisdictions.

Stephen Landes

Maui Office Lead

Leads the Hawaii office. Oversees project delivery, agency coordination, and client management for Maui County and Oahu projects. Leads the Maui office and oversees project delivery, agency coordination, and client management across Hawaii. Manages scope, schedule, and agency submittals for projects navigating County of Maui permitting, SMA requirements, and Hawaii DOH stormwater compliance.

Licensed in 8 states QSD / QSP Certified LEED AP NCEES Record Holder ENR Best Project Award 2022

Licensed to practice in

California Oregon Washington Hawaii Colorado Arizona Nevada New Mexico

NCEES Record holder — additional states available on request

Recognition & Client Feedback

2022

ENR Best Project Award

Fremont High School District — recognized by Engineering News-Record for K-12 education construction.

“

You guys are the best civil engineers I have had the pleasure of working with. Really appreciate all the effort!

Matt SeveranceAssociate, Gensler
Fletcher Jones Audi, Beverly Hills

“

Your team's understanding of the need to design fast, with high precision, and just get things done. Development is getting slower and harder to afford and developers need more Architects and Engineers to be like Calichi to push the process.

Jeremy HarrisArchitectural Director, OWOW Development

2020

SF Business Journal Fast 500

Named to the Innovation Consulting Fast 500 list for sustained growth in the A/E/C sector.

“

Reco and Calichi's presentation was directly on point. Very professional and concise! It is nice to see that there is hope out there.

John LindskogVP, Market Director Real Estate, Chase
Claremont, CA

“

The Due Diligence Report Calichi provided is extremely comprehensive. Very nice!

Scott ZengelSignature Development
Broadway & 8th, Oakland

“

The quality of product exceeded expectations. We could not be more impressed with their ability to clearly and concisely communicate — and from start to finish.

Joe Berardi, LEED APPrincipal, Berardi + Partners

“

Great job today! Thanks for directing and addressing the site/traffic questions. The city reps clearly loved the site plan design!

Jason SheetsPrincipal Architect, MODA4 Design
Goodwill Easter Seals, Dayton OH

Research

NMU Environmental Design — 1st Prize

First prize at the NMU World Environmental Research Consortium Environmental Design Contest.

“

I look at them not only as a consultant that we hired for a project, but as a valued partner that is a critical part of the team.

Joe YoustProject Manager, Berardi + Partners