Team Members
Technical Team
Caro Minas, CE, GE - President, Geotechnical Engineer
Caro Minas founded AES in 1985 after working with a number of major national and international engineering firms for 12 years. He received his BS ('75) and MS ('76) degrees in civil and geotechnical engineering, respectively, from California State University, Los Angeles. In addition to his extensive experience in California and Nevada, he has conducted major investigations for nuclear power plants, harbors, industrial complexes, and gas distribution projects in the Persian Gulf area. Today he is one of the foremost geotechnical engineers in the LA area and oversees all engineering operations at AES. In his spare time Caro likes to travel, play tennis, and is an avid tango enthusiast. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Shant Minas, PG – Project Geologist, General Manager
A Team Member of AES since 2004, Shant's roles include geologic field investigations, preparation of reports and geologic maps, and project management. He earned a BA in economics, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from USC in 2001; an MS in mathematical finance in 2003 also from USC, and a second MS in Geology from CSULA in 2008. His specialties include engineering geology and environmental investigations. Shant holds the following licenses and/or designations: Professional Geologist (CA), Registered Environmental Assessor-I, ICC Soils Special Inspector, and Deputy Grading Inspector. He will be taking his Engineering Geology examination in 2012. Shant has performed international geologic and environmental field studies in Turkey and India, respectively, and served honorably in the US Army for 6 years as a Sergeant, with a tour of overseas service in Korea. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Richard Crook, Jr., CEG – Senior Engineering Geologist
Richard Crook is a 44-year veteran in the field of engineering geology, fault and earthquake risk analysis, and geotechnical hazard investigation. In addition to working as a consultant, Richard has worked as an investigator on a US Geological Survey-funded fault study at Cal Tech. He has also worked as an instructor at the University of California at Riverside and at California State University at Los Angeles. Richard is a member of the Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, and the Association of Engineering Geologists. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Raffi Galestanian - Field Technician
Raffi came to AES in 2001 with over 20 years of drilling and construction experience with a number of large engineering and construction firms, including Halliburton and InterDrill. At AES, Raffi oversees all drilling activities, ensuring timely scheduling of field work and soil sampling. He is also responsible for quality control in the soils Testing Laboratory. Additionally, Raffi performs field observations for shoring piles, foundation piles, drainage systems, and compaction tests. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Reza Ghamsari – Senior Field Engineer
Reza has been employed as a staff engineer for AES since 1994. He received his BS degree in civil engineering from Fresno State University and holds certificates in environmental engineering. Reza is a seasoned veteran in field inspections, including grading, shoring, and deputy work. He also holds certificates in wastewater treatment, hazardous materials, and environmental biology. Reza is a Registered Deputy Grading Inspector and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ara Jitechian, PhD, CE - Senior Civil Engineer
Ara is a professional engineer with 17 years of hydraulic engineering and 10 years of geotechnical engineering experience. He performs engineering calculations for foundation design, bearing capacity, settlement, liquefaction, slope stability, shoring, and retaining walls. He is also responsible for reviewing geotechnical soil reports and grading/foundation plans for conformance with recommendations. Ara obtained his PhD from the Moscow Water Resources Institute. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Graeson Matevosian – Field Geologist
Graeson has worked with AES since 2004, first as a laboratory assistant, and later including drilling and soil sampling work. Today he is a field geologist, responsible for soils and geologic investigations, construction-phase geologic inspections, and laboratory testing. Graeson played college football at Glendale College, and was awarded a football scholarship to Humboldt State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Geology with a minor in environmental conservation, and also played rugby at the collegiate level. Graeson is currently preparing for the ICC Soils Special Inspector and Deputy Grading Inspector examinations. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Vatchen Zakarian - Chief Draftsman
Vatchen has been AES' senior Draftsman and Cartographer since 1995. Vache prepares engineering and geological survey maps, cross sections, details, drawings and specifications. Vache also drafts methane mitigation design plans. Since graduation from the National School of Science Geographic in Paris with a BS in Cartography in 1970, Vache has accumulated 37 yrs of drafting, surveying, and aero-photography experience. In his spare time Vachen is an avid rock climber and snow skier and is an instructor of both. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it