John M. DiDonato, P.E.
President / CEO
John M. DiDonato, P.E. is President/CEO of the firm he has been with since 1983.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo and holds a professional engineering license in New York as well as several other states. Mr. DiDonato provides the overall direction of the firm and ensures all necessary resources are available to staff to successfully complete projects.
He is a member of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers – Erie/Niagara Chapter, National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Public Works Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association for Bridge Construction and Design, the NY Aviation Management Association, and the NYS Association of Transportation Engineers.
Project Experience Highlights
- Public Facilities Design and Renovation (ECDPW: Buffalo Bills Stadium Improvements, Erie County Park Shelter Improvements; Town of Hamburg Ice Rink Renovations)
- Aviation Related Facilities (NFTA: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport–Runways, Aprons, Taxiways, Signage, Roofing, Glycol Storage, Drainage, Obstruction Studies)
- Highway Reconstruction (City of Buffalo: Main Street Revitalization-Cars Sharing Main and Middle Main Street Reconstruction; Erie County DPW: Elmwood Avenue Reconstruction-Kenmore to Knoche)
- Wastewater/Water Improvements (Erie County Water Authority Waterline Replacements; ECDEP-DSM Engineering Services; Town of Amherst–Water and Sewer Line Replacement)
James A. Frick, P.E.
Sr. Vice President – Structural Engineering / Secretary
James A. Frick, P.E. began his engineering career at DiDonato Associates in 1984. In his years at DiDonato, he has been an active design engineer and manager for a wide range of structural and civil projects. He provides structural designs for highway and bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects and commercial/industrial buildings located in the northeast and mid-west United States. He also specializes in the structural design of scoreboard/billboard displays for sporting facilities throughout the Country.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo and holds a Professional Engineering license in the State of New York. As the Sr. Vice President of Structural Engineering, Mr. Frick coordinates all structural design projects.
Project Experience Highlights
- Bridge/Culvert Design and Inspection (Town of Lancaster: Culvert Replacements and Aurora Street Bridge Re-Decking; Erie County DPW Hunters Creek Road & Sanders Hill Road Bridge Replacements; Niagara County DPW Wilson-Burt Bridge Replacement; NYS Department of Transportation Large Culvert Inspection Program)
- Public Facilities Design and Rehabilitation (Key Bank, Harbor Center, and Roswell Park Parking Ramps; River Fest Park Wharf Pavilion; City of Tonawanda Niagara River and Ellicott Creek Docks)
- Recreation/Athletic Facilities (Scoreboard Foundations for Pro and College Athletic Stadiums throughout U.S.; Buffalo Bills Stadium Capital Improvements; Buffalo Bills Performance Training Center; Olean Recreational Facility Improvements)
- Educational (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract: Autonomy Center, O’Brian Hall Renovations; Farber Hall Emergency Exit Stairwell, Slee Hall Music Chamber Structural Analysis; SUNY at Buffalo Center for the Arts Exterior Rehabilitation)
- Educational (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract, SUNY at Buffalo Center for the Arts Exterior Rehabilitation, Niagara University Dwyer Arena Improvements)
- Private Retail, Warehouse and Light Industrial Building Design
Peter A. Ringo, P.E.
Sr. Vice President – Civil Engineering / Treasurer
Peter A. Ringo, P.E. has been an employee of DiDonato Associates since 1992. He has extensive experience in both civil and structural projects, including: multi-modal transportation projects, highways, complete streets, airfield facilities, green infrastructure, sewers, drainage, waterlines, site development, retaining structures, and one- and two-story commercial/industrial buildings. Through his design experience, he has developed a broad knowledge of regulations and construction standards on the local, state, and federal levels. Mr. Ringo’s attention to detail and commitment given to each of his projects makes him highly regarded and sought after by many of our Clients.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University and holds Professional Engineering licenses in New York and Indiana. Mr. Ringo is a Sr. Vice President of the firm and responsible for overseeing all civil engineering projects.
Project Experience Highlights
- Highway Design and Reconstruction (City of Buffalo DPW: Main Street Revitalization-Cars Sharing Main and Middle Main Street Reconstruction; Erie County DPW: Elmwood Avenue Reconstruction and North and South Main Street Reconstruction; Village of Hamburg Sunset Drive Rehabilitation)
- Aviation Related Services (NFTA: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport–Runways, Aprons, Taxiways, Signage, Roofing, Glycol Storage, Drainage, Obstruction Studies)
- Educational Facilities (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract: Audubon and Flint Traffic Study, Parking Lot Study and Restoration, Audubon Parkway Lane Reduction; Buffalo PS #195 Sink Hole Repairs; Lew-Port High School Drainage)
- Public Facilities (Oishei Children’s Hospital Site Design; NFTA Utica Bus Loop Rehabilitation and Niagara Street Neighborhood Transit Center; Village of Hamburg Mobility Hub; Town of Amherst Audubon Library Addition)
- Water/Wastewater (ECWA Waterline Replacements; Erie County DEP-DSM Engineering Services; Town of Amherst-Water and Sewer Line Replacement)
- Private Retail, Warehouse and Light Industrial Building Design
Christopher Gardner, PE
Vice President – Aviation
Christopher Gardner has been with DiDonato Associates since 1997 with experience in the planning, design, and construction inspection of multiple airfield projects, including runway, taxiway, and apron pavement projects at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) and the Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA). He has special expertise and knowledge in performing materials testing, including Marshall Mix Designs, P-401 and P-501 Laboratory Quality Control Testing, and in-place asphalt density monitoring. He has presented at the NEC/AAAE Airports Conference in Hershey PA on “P-401 – A Resident Engineer’s Perspective.”
Mr. Gardner is a 1993 graduate of the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and holds a B.S. degree in Forest Engineering.
Project Experience Highlights
- Airport Projects (NFTA BNIA and NFIA: Runway, Taxiway and Apron Reconstruction & Extensions, Pavement Rehabilitation, Safety Area Improvements, Obstruction Studies/Removals, Signage and Pavement Markings, Perimeter Roadways, Passenger Boarding Bridges, Security Fencing, Deicing Containment Facilities)
- Educational Facilities (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract: Parking Lot Study and Restoration, Audubon Parkway Sinkhole Repair, North Campus Roadway and Sidewalk Rehabilitation; Buffalo State College Exterior Stair Improvements)
- Emergency Services Facilities (Erie County Emergency Services-Communication Systems Upgrades; Getzville Fire Hall Study; River Road Volunteer Fire Department Design; Town of Tonawanda Emergency Training Facilities)
- Highway/Roadway (City of Tonawanda Young Street Mill & Overlay; City of Buffalo DPW: Fruit Belt Neighborhood Subsurface Investigation and Main Street Revitalization-Cars Sharing Main; Erie County DPW Eden-Evans Center Road Reconstruction)
- Recreational/Athletic Facilities (Buffalo Bills Stadium Capital Improvements; Hyde Park Ice Complex Renovation; Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Complex Renovation; Buffalo River Fest Park)
Jeffrey Blank, PE
Vice President – Structures-Bridges
Jeffrey Blank, PE is a Vice President – Structural-Bridges and has been with the firm since 1999.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tri-State University (now Trine University) in 1993 and holds professional engineering licenses in New York and Ohio. Through his extensive experience in bridge rehabilitation/replacement, he has a thorough knowledge of the various codes such as AASHTO, AISC, ACI, and the NYSDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. He has developed a presentation on the History of Moveable Bridges in Buffalo that he has shared with various industry organizations such as the American Public Works Association, National Association of County Engineers, and American Bridge Construction and Design.
Mr. Blank manages all bridge projects, supervising project and junior engineers.
Project Experience Highlights
- Bridge Inspection Programs (Biennial Bridge Inspection Programs for NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Thruway Authority, and New York Power Authority)
- Bridge Repair/Replacement Projects (Erie County DPW: Hunters Creek Road and Sanders Hill Road Bridge Replacements and Jamison Road Bridge Replacement; Town of Lancaster-Aurora Street Bridge Re-decking; Cattaraugus County DPW Bridge Replacements: Freedom Road Bridge No. 10 and Ashford Bridge No. 24; and Niagara County DPW Wilson-Burt Bridge Replacement)
- Bridge Maintenance Programs (City of Buffalo)
- Culvert Inspection/Replacement Projects (NYSDOT Large Culvert Inspections Regions 3-4-5-6, Town of Lancaster: Four Culverts Rehabilitation, Erie Street Culvert Replacement, Holland Avenue Culvert Replacement, and Brunck Road Culvert Replacement; Village of Depew Marrano Drive Culvert Replacement)
William Ratka, PE
Vice President – Transportation
Bill Ratka has been with DiDonato since 2000 and leads the Civil-Transportation/Highway group. He has been involved with most of DiDonato’s highway reconstruction/rehabilitation projects as Engineer, Sr. Engineer, and/or Project Manager. He’s worked on many Locally Administered Federal Aid roadway reconstruction projects for Erie County and other local municipalities. Through this experience, he has developed a broad knowledge of regulations and construction standards on the local, state, and federal levels.
Mr. Ratka received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo and an AAS degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Erie Community College and is a NYS licensed Professional Engineer.
Project Experience Highlights
- Roadway Design and Reconstruction (City of Buffalo DPW: Middle Main Street Reconstruction and Main Street Revitalization-Cars Sharing Main; Erie County DPW: Elmwood Avenue Reconstruction-Kenmore to Knoche and N. & S. Main Street Rehabilitation)
- Airport Improvements (NFTA-BNIA: Runway 5-23 Reconstruction, Remain Overnight Parking Apron Expansion, Deicing Containment Facility, BNIA Runway 14-32 Rehabilitation)
- Stormwater/Drainage (Town of Orchard Park Bussendorfer Drainage Study & Improvements; Grover Cleveland Golf Course Drainage Study; Greenfields Drainage Study & Design)
- Site Design (Town of Amherst: Audubon Library Expansion, Mathewson-McCarthy Baseball Park Building, N. Amherst Recreation Center Fieldhouse; Village of Depew Fireman’s Park Site Design; Buffalo Bills Performance Training Center Site Design)
- Traffic Studies/Design (Town of Amherst Sweet Home, Dodge, Commerce Traffic Signal; City of Buffalo DPW Slow Streets Program; Erie County DPW Traffic Signal Studies)
Michael Banks, AIA, LEED AP
Vice President – Architecture
Michael Banks, AIA, LEED AP has been with DiDonato since 2001. Over the years, Mike has been an integral part of DiDonato’s architectural design team for a variety of projects including educational facilities, recreational facilities, healthcare, residential, and retail/commercial complexes. He has assumed the role as project liaison for the client and drafting personnel to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and project parameters. Mike is the Vice President – Architecture and oversees all architectural projects and coordinates architectural resources.
He received his Bachelor of Professional Services in Architecture from SUNY at Buffalo in 1997. He became a Registered Architect in 2014 and is a certified LEED Accredited Professional.
Project Experience Highlights
- Education Facilities (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract: NSC E-Tech Classroom Renovations, O’Brian Hall Renovations, Farber Hall Stairwell Addition, Lockwood Memorial Library Building Assessment; Buffalo School #95 Elevator Rehabilitation, Maryvale Schools Renovation/Addition project)
- Recreational/Park Facilities (Town of Hamburg Ice Rink Rehabilitation; Erie County DPW County Park Shelter Renovations; Town of Amherst: North Amherst Recreation center Fieldhouse and Mathewson-McCarthy Baseball Park Concession Building; River Fest Park Wharf Pavilion; Buffalo Bills Stadium Capital Improvements)
- Municipal Projects (NFTA University and Delavan Stations Panel Liner Replacement; Buffalo City Hall 2nd Floor Renovations; Town of Amherst Audubon Library Addition; City of Tonawanda Young Street Corridor Improvements)
- Residential Facilities (BMHA: Stuyvesant Apartment Exterior Rehabilitation, Fire Restoration Projects–Stuyvesant and Kenfield Homes, Commodore Perry Interior Renovations, Monsignor Geary Apartments Elevator Rehabilitation, Marine Drive Apartments Trash Compactor Replacement, Deficiency Reports)
- Emergency Services Facilities (City of Buffalo Police Broadway Market Sub-station; Town of Amherst Police Station Space Improvements; Erie County DPW Emergency Services Building; Getzville Fire Hall Feasibility Study and Improvements)
Daniel Schneider, PE, SE
Vice President – Structures-Buildings
Daniel Schneider, PE, SE is Vice President – Structural-Buildings. Dan started at DiDonato as an Intern while finishing college and stayed on as a full-time employee after obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2010. He holds professional engineering licenses in New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. He also has his Professional Structural Engineering license in Illinois, Georgia, and Nevada. The Structural Engineering License involves a difficult 16-hour exam using separate vertical and lateral components to test the ability to safely design buildings, especially in areas of high seismicity and high wind.
Mr. Schneider manages all building structural projects, supervising project and junior engineers.
Project Experience Highlights
- Recreation/Athletic/Park Facilities (Scoreboard Foundations for Pro and College Athletic Stadiums throughout U.S.; Buffalo Bills Stadium Capital Improvements; Buffalo Bills Sports Performance Training Center; Village of Depew Fireman’s Park Pavilion; Improvements)
- Educational (SUNY at Buffalo A/E Term Contract: Autonomy Center, Diefendorf Annex Demolition, Statler Food Commissary Improvements, Clemens Hall Stairway Renovation, Beane Center Window Replacement); Buffalo Public Schools Pool Renovation; SUNY at Buffalo Center for the Arts Exterior Rehabilitation)
- Municipal Buildings (Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps Studies and Repair; Erie County & Buffalo Convention Center Structural Assessment & Design; Town of Amherst: Audubon Library Addition and Amherst Community Center Improvements)
- Health Care Facilities (Helen Hayes Hospital Utility Tunnel; Batavia Veterans Home Hospital Roof Top Unit; Buffalo General Hospital Boiler Room Addition; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center-Grace Cancer Drug Center Entrance; Millard Fillmore Surgery Center Roof Top Unit)
- Commercial/Retail Facilities (Lebro’s Restaurant Addition; Raising Cane’s Restaurant New Build; Sonic Restaurant New Build; Tops Supermarkets Improvements)
Stephen Aureli
Business Manager
Stephen Aureli started with DiDonato Associates in June of 2019 as Assistant Business Manager. He became Business Manager after the retirement of Susan Berninger in 2021. Stephen is responsible for human resources including coordinating benefits, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and daily banking.
Stephen has an Associates’ degree in General Studies; Sociology and Psychology from Erie Community College.
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Julie Stearns
Director of Marketing
Julie Stearns has been with DiDonato Associates since 2004 and in the A/E field since 1988. As the Director of Marketing, she prepares all qualification packages, proposals, and ads, and maintains and updates the firm’s marketing files, such as resumes and projects. She manages the website, as well as social media for DiDonato. In addition, Julie attends conferences, political events, and industry outings for the company.
She attended Bryant & Stratton Business Institute and received an Executive Assistant diploma and has taken additional classes in Business at SUNY at Buffalo.
Julie is currently the President of the Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) organization and a Member of the NYS County Highway Superintendent’s Association Membership and Outreach Committee and Conference Planning Committee.
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Norman DiDonato, P.E.
Founder
Norman DiDonato founded the company in 1965 as Weber, DiDonato and Renaldo, a well-respected architectural and engineering firm completing such high profile projects as the Erie Basin Marina and the Convention Center. Norman passed away on March 5, 2018. He will always be in our hearts.
