engineering at work for you
Our Team
Vansant & Gusler believes that maximizing our client services begins with support of our staff’s personal growth, development and success. This core value is demonstrated in many ways including; open and honest communication, encouraging healthy work/life balance, continuing personal education, mutual respect, support of personal goals and positive recognition.
Our staff includes 20 employees, six registered Professional Engineers and Engineers in Training.


























Tad Sellers P.E. – President, Electrical Department Head
Mr. Sellers, President and Chief Electrical Engineer, brings over 24 years professional service in providing design of electrical systems including overhead and underground power, interior and exterior power and lighting, data and voice communications, fire alarm, security, emergency power systems and grounding. Major design pro‐ jects include communications and electronic facilities, schools, office buildings, multi‐family housing, emergency power systems and electrical distribution systems. He is familiar with projects requiring conformance to various state and local codes and federal government criteria.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Duke University
Professional Electrical Engineer
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Virginia Society of Professional Engineers

Pete Striffler P.E. – Mechanical Department Head
Mr. Striffler, Chief Mechanical Engineer, brings over 39 years of professional experience providing design services for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems, provides plumbing design, and fire protection engineering, and performs energy utilization studies. He began his career at Shell Oil Company in Norco, LA. He has been providing design services since the early 1990’s throughout Hampton Roads and along the East Coast. Projects include planning studies, preparation of construction documents, and construction consultation.
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
National Society of Professional Engineers
Virginia Society of Professional Engineers

Molly Stewart – Chief Operating Officer
Mrs. Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, brings over 15 years of administrative and professional experience to the A/E industry. She provides design and construction administration support. She is experienced in both the SpecsIntact and Masterspec specification programs. Molly is the Corporate Secretary and Treasurer. She manages the corporate finances, as well as human resources.
Master of Business Administration; Old Dominion University
Bachelor of Arts (Liberal Arts Management Program); Virginia Wesleyan College
Society of Human Resource Management
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

Dawn Best – Director of Business Development and Corporate Communications
Ms. Best, our Director of Sales and Marketing, brings almost 25 years of Sales, Marketing and Management experience to our team. Most of her career has been primarily in Strategic business development, private consulting, and senior management executive encompassing the pursuit and execution of IDIQ, RFP, RFQ, P3, A/E and G/C design bid/build, LEED, life cycle delivery methods, auditing industry legislation (state/federal), industry/construction technology, and their environmental impacts. Her diversity and her comprehensive tenure in the industry make her a valuable asset.
Double Master Degree, Regent University in Leadership/Strategic Planning, and MPA (Public Administration), Aug. 2005 – May 2008
Bachelor’s Degree, Strategic Leadership, Regent University 2004
Associates Degree, Paralegal pre-law Tidewater Community College 2003
Certified Legal Assistant, Virginia Western Community College 1992
USGBC (H/R Chapter of US Green Building Council), current Vice President
S.A.M.E. (Society of American Military Engineers), Hampton Roads Chapter, member
HR/UHCA (Hampton Roads Utility Heavy Contractors Association, member
ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors), Hampton Roads Chapter, member
WID (Women in Defense), Hampton Roads Chapter, former board member
NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), Virginia Chapter, member
Greater H/R Cape Henry Rotary Club, former member
H.E.R. Shelter (Help Emergency Response), board member

Debi Stout – Construction Administrator
Mrs. Stout, Administrative Assistant, brings over 20 years of professional management and accounting experience to Vansant & Gusler, Inc. She handles office bookkeeping, project specifications, and construction administrative support as well as skillfully facilitating our corporate events, office meetings and team activities. Debi is also proficient in estimating and contract administration. Her well rounded workset brings excellent support for our team and our customers.
Associates Degree courses in Accounting & Business Management, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, VA: GPA: 3.5
Associates Degree courses in Accounting & Business Management, Ashworth College, Norcross, GA; GPA: 3.8
Crestcom Leadership & Management, Virginia Beach, VA

Pasquale DeMartino P.E. – Mechanical Engineer
Mr. DeMartino, Mechanical Engineer, brings over 37 years of professional mechanical engineering/design experience in design/build, new construction, renovations, repairs, and additions to various facility types including Federal, State, and Municipal projects. He is familiar with HVAC systems and system controls, including LEED systems; VAV; geothermal; VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) systems; heat pumps; chilled water systems; hot water systems; primary-secondary pumping; variable flow pumping; enthalpy wheels; air to air energy recovery; high temperature hot water and steam systems; LEED systems compliance; DDC systems; energy management through demand control ventilation; occupancy sensors; and CO2 monitoring.
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University
Professional Mechanical Engineer
LEED Accredited Professional BD + C
American Society of Healthcare Engineers
Virginia Society of Healthcare Engineers
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers

Wil Taylor P.E. – Mechanical Engineer
Mr. Taylor, Mechanical Engineer, brings over 3 years of professional design services for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and performs energy utilization studies. He has experience in energy envelope calculations, heating and cooling load calculations, HVAC equipment selections, and conformance analyses for ASHRAE minimum ventilation requirements. Mr. Taylor has experience with projects ranging from commercial, municipal, and Department of Defense buildings to places of worship.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Baylor University
Mechanical Engineer In Training
USGBC LEED Green Associate
U.S. Green Building Council

Chris Poffenbarger LEED AP BDC+C, HFDP- Mechanical Engineer
Mr. Poffenbarger, Mechanical Engineer, brings over 21 years of professional experience with over half of those years as an employee with our firm. His expertise covers all phases of mechanical consulting engineering, including design, energy analyses, life cycle costing, problem-solving and report preparation. He is accustomed to a wide variety of project types, including healthcare facilities, educational facilities, industrial facilities, central plants, and office buildings. He is highly skilled in the analysis of indoor air quality issues, investigative and remedial engineering and HVAC system commissioning.
Associates of Applied Science in Mechanical Technology, Tidewater Community College

Thomas Mule – Mechanical Designer
Mr. Mule, Mechanical Designer, brings over 5 years of professional design services for heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems, heating and cooling load calculations and HVAC equipment selections. Versed in current code standards, Mr. Mule has experience with projects both commercial and residential including variable air volume (VAV) systems and ductwork design. He is also proficient AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit design softwares.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University
Associate of Science in Engineering, Tidewater Community College

Anthony Neal – Electrical Designer
Mr. Neal, Electrical Designer, brings over 8 years of professional experience with design of electrical systems including interior and exterior power and lighting with lighting point by point calculations, data and voice communications and some design of fire alarm, security, emergency power systems. Mr. Neal also works with our Project Managers, Project Engineers and CAD Manager to manage and create all drafted documentation associated with projects. including gathering project requirements, preliminary and final design, procurement and As-Builts of equipment and materials, project monitoring and control.

Clint Russell E.I.T. – Electrical Engineer
Mr. Russell, Electrical Designer and Engineer In Training brings over 8 years professional experience in design of electrical systems including interior and exterior power and lighting with lighting point by point calculations, data and voice communications and some design of fire alarm, security, emergency power systems.
Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering, Minnesota State University
Electrical Engineer In Training

Fred Hussain E.I.T. – Electrical Engineer
Mr. Hussain, Design Engineer and Electrical Engineer In Training brings over 14 years of diverse experience including design of overhead and underground electrical distribution systems, lighting and telecommunications systems and customized solutions for both government and commercial facilities. He compliments his electrical design skills with practical and hands on experience in the field including electrical and lighting installation, repairs and testing.
Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Associates of Science Engineering – Electrical Engineering Specialization, Northern Virginia Community College

Brian Collette – Electrical Designer, CAD Technician
Mr. Collette, Electrical Designer and CAD Technician, brings 6 years of experience in electrical distribution system design, civil project design and extensive production in 2D and 3D drafting tools including AutoCAD, ArcGIS Mapping and Microstation. Major project experience includes residential and commercial easements and distribution work with Dominion Energy Construction as well as large municipal land and roadway development projects including site plans for cathodic testing and electrode potential. He has also worked alongside state and government agencies including Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Department of Transportation and the Army Corp of Engineers.
Bachelor of Science Computer and Information Systems, ECPI University

Johnathan Soares – Plumbing Designer, CAD Technician
Mr. Soares, Plumbing Designer and CAD Technician, brings 23 years of experience in plumbing system design including domestic water piping, sanitary piping, medical gas, lab gas piping and LEED certification. Major design projects include office buildings, schools, science buildings, repair shops, and hospitals. Familiar with projects requiring conformance to various state and local codes and federal government criteria.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
Become part of Vansant & Gusler’s (V&G) future as we approach our 60th anniversary. Our firm offers opportunities for growth, ownership and a chance to make an impact on the success and improvements of our company. See our current available opportunities here but remember V&G is always accepting resumes so if you are excited about where you see yourself with our firm, please email or call us.