Jim Fisher P.E., Joins Schultz and Summers Engineering

He will be in the operations manager at SSE’s Lake Ozark office. 

LAKE OZARK, MO – Schultz and Summers Engineering is proud to announce that Jim Fisher has been selected to manage their Lake Ozark office.  Jim has worked as a surveyor and engineer throughout southwest and mid-Missouri for the last 12 years.  Owner Stan Schultz said, “Jim is the well rounded P.E. we have been looking for to run our Lake Ozark operations.  His background providing engineering services for commercial clients as well as city and county governments is exactly what we needed. ”  

Danny Roeger (left) and Jim Fisher (right) look over Gravois plans

Jim started in the engineering field right out of high school when he went to work at Heideman & Associates in Springfield as a surveying rodman.  He was quickly promoted to survey crew party chief while he began his college education at Missouri State University.  In preparation to be an engineer he transferred to Missouri University of Science and Technology and worked three different jobs to help pay for his college expenses including working as a part-time surveyor.  Fisher said, “Attending engineering classes and working long hours seemed hard at the time, but now that I am an engineer I’m thankful I found jobs that gave me hands on experience.  That experience along with my classroom studies allowed me to hit the ground running when I graduated.”     

After graduation Jim joined APAC-Missouri where he worked as estimator and manager working with MODOT to deliver quality highway rehabilitation projects, mainly on Interstates 70 & 44.  In 2006 he was asked to join MESA Consulting Engineers in Branson Missouri.   Branson was rapidly expanding and MESA was a company that focused on commercial development.  Jim worked on a number of residential development projects including multiple phases of the Stonebridge Community, Branson Creek, Emory Creek, Terrell Creek, The Woods, and Long Creek to name just a few.  He also helped with a wide-range of commercial developments including banks, gas stations, strip malls, database centers, resort welcome centers, entertainment, and recreational facilities.  “Jim did a very good job for MESA.  His abilities and drive made an immediate impact on the quality and quantity of engineering work they produced,” added Schultz.      

The economic downturn of 2008 caused construction in Branson to slow to a complete halt.  Jim joined Elgin Surveying and Engineering in Rolla, Missouri where he designed several municipal projects for the cities of Licking, Houston, Cabool, Westphaila, and Waynesville.  Additionally, he assisted with the engineering for a number of commercial and residential clients which included Casey's General Stores, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Investment Realty, and Rightway Homes.  Stan remarked, “Our Company does a lot of engineering work for both commercial and public clients.  I wanted a P.E. with the knowledge to design a water treatment plant for a large city and the knowhow to help a developer plan a well designed subdivision.  Jim will be able to help our city customers with all their needs while also helping our private developers properly design subdivisions, banks, gas stations or strip malls that are integrated into the existing road, sewer, water and electrical networks.”  

When asked what he most liked about engineering Jim replied, “It’s enjoyable to sit down with the client and listen to what their requirements or desires are.  Understanding their needs and working with them to design a solution that takes care of their needs or meets their requirements is exciting.” He continued, “Finding cost effective ways to provide a city or private development with sanitary sewer collection and potable water distribution systems, or efficient street and sidewalks designs as well as water wells, storage towers, and storm sewers are all interesting challenges that I enjoyable taking on.”  

Jim and his wife Krystal live in Rolla Missouri.  They enjoy spending time visiting many of the natural and historic curiosities found in the Show-Me-State.  Jim also collects historic engineering and surveying tools such as slide rules and mechanical calculators.  

Schultz and Summers Lake Ozark office provides engineering services to several mid Missouri Counties including, Camden, Miller, Morgan, Montieau, Pulaski, Phelps, Benton, Osage, Crawford, Maries, Laclede, and Dent to name just a few.  Owner Bob Summers concluded by saying, “Jim is the perfect fit for our mid Missouri operations.  He grew up and has worked in this region for years.  His knowledge of the people, terrain, and communities we serve will help us better assist all our customers in the region.”