New Hires

Jonathan Fomenko, EIT, joined DiDonato Associates in 2024 and currently supports the Bridge Group on bridge inspection and design projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo and is a certified Engineer-in-Training (EIT). Jonathan brings over two years of experience as an Assistant Team Leader (ATL), providing bridge inspection services in NYSDOT Regions 4, 5, and 6, along with an additional year of experience on various transportation projects. He is also proficient in NYSDOT’s Bridge Data Information System (BDIS) software.

Thomas Hurley, PE, joined DiDonato in 2024 and brings 36 years of extensive experience in civil engineering, project and contract management, supervision, and dispute resolution. From 2008 to 2019, he served as Assistant Division Director for the NYS Thruway Authority (NYSTA) Buffalo Division, where he oversaw programs related to bridge inspection, right-of-way permitting, environmental compliance, real estate, and construction management. Prior to his tenure at NYSTA, Tom spent 20 years with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). He began his career as a junior engineer and advanced through the Structures Design and Construction groups. His responsibilities included developing structural designs, performing bridge load rating analyses, serving as Engineer-in-Charge, and later as a Construction Supervisor for large-scale road and bridge reconstruction projects.

Grayson Schaefer, EIT, joined DiDonato in April of 2025 and holds his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Slippery Rock University. He has two years of experience in civil and structural engineering design across a range of transportation and infrastructure projects. His project work includes bridges and culverts, light rail systems, airports, highways, and structural foundations. In addition, he has contributed to the structural design of scoreboards and video signage. Grayson previously interned with the Structural Team at DiDonato from 2022 through early 2023.

Adam Hanley, PE, recently joined DiDonato with over 11 years of experience in civil engineering. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University. Adam has previously served as a SWPPP Supervisor and Inspector, where he was responsible for conducting site reviews and preparing inspection reports for a variety of projects. His experience also includes civil design, performing design calculations, and extensive work in AutoCAD.

Since the disruption of COVID, DiDonato has hired a number of people, both new and experienced, to add to our excellent staff.

We would like to OFFICIALLY welcome our “newest” employees:

Anthony Sperrazza, EIT interned with DiDonato during his last two years of college and was hired full-time in May of 2021 after graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Anthony is both a musician and athlete and has received awards for both.  He has been providing field technician, survey, inspection, and CAD services for various transportation and infrastructure projects. Currently he is working on design for the rehabilitation of Elmwood Avenue.

Derek Pruitt is a NICET Level I inspector with four years of experience providing field technician, survey, design, and inspection services for various transportation/infrastructure projects.  He holds an AAS degree in Civil Engineering Technology.  Along with his NICET certification, he has certifications in Confined Space Entry, ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician-Grade 1, and OSHA construction Safety Course. He assists with the NYSDOT Large Culvert Inspection project and the Elmwood Avenue Rehabilitation project.

Alexander Marino, EIT joined the DiDonato Team in May of 2022, after graduating from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and working as an intern during winter 2022. He was on both the SUNY at Buffalo Seismic Design Team and Esports Varsity Gaming Teams. He also worked with NYSDOT as a Construction Inspector (intern) in the summer of 2021. He is assisting on the NYSDOT Large Culvert Inspection project and is working on several scoreboard/billboard sign foundations for MEPPI (Mitsubishi) at stadiums and transportation facilities throughout the country.

Claire Birkemeier interned with DiDonato during summer break and was hired full-time after graduating from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a minor in Environmental Design. Claire was on the ECIC Team One for soccer and received several honors for soccer and academics. She has provided design support on DiDonato’s SUNY at Buffalo Term Contract assignments and is currently the architectural designer for the Hamburg Recreation Center/Ice Rink rehabilitation project.

John Blazier retired from NFTA after a 37-year career as a CAD Specialist/Design Drafter.  DiDonato was happy to hire John to provide CAD/Design services for municipal infrastructure projects. He brings extensive experience to our firm having worked on large transportation facility projects for NFTA.

Madison Cox recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Slippery Rock University, where she was active in Student Government and Engineering Clubs.  She will be supporting the Civil Team working on a variety of transportation projects. She is currently working on the Middle Main Street Rehabilitation project.

DiDonato is pleased to welcome the following new employees:

• Christian Hulse, PE is a Professional Engineer in New York State with 38 years of experience on transportation projects.  Chris recently retired from the NYS Thruway Authority where he was a Civil Engineer for 14 years.  Previous to that he spent 24 years as a Civil Engineer/Engineering Technician with the NYS Department of Transportation.  His work involved providing construction administration and inspection services for highway and bridge reconstruction projects.  He also provided hydraulic analysis services.  He is a 1989 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology. Mr. Hulse will be providing Team Leader services on DiDonato’s NYSDOT Biennial Bridge Inspection Program – Region 5.

• James Messana, EIT is joining our Civil Engineering group. He has six years of experience in analysis, design of transportation projects, and construction inspection.  He has been responsible for the preparation of contract documents including plans, proposal books and engineering reports.  He has assisted in design calculations for drainage systems and the estimation of items for resurfacing, restoration, traffic signals, and rehabilitation projects. James has experience with drafting, cost estimates and design calculations.  He is familiar with the NYSDOT Design Standards.  He is a 2013 graduation of Clarkson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

• Justin Lucarelli has three years of experience as an Assistant Bridge Inspector and Culvert Inspector for Biennial Bridge Inspection Programs and Large Culvert Inspection Programs in NYSDOT Regions 3, 4, 5, and 6. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Civil Engineering from UB.  He will join Chris Hulse as an Assistant Team Leader on our NYSDOT Biennial Bridge Inspection Program-Region 5.