GRAEF Announces 2025 Principals and Associates

GRAEF is proud to announce the recent election of two new Principals and seven new Associates.

Each year, GRAEF selects an elite group of individuals within our firm to be named the newest collective of Principals and Associates. These individuals bring a remarkable skill set and a wealth of experience and expertise to our teams, projects, and clients.

Newly Elected Principals

1

Craig Huebner, AICP — Principal, Market Team Leader - Municipal Planning

Craig has been a cornerstone of GRAEF's urban design practice since joining the firm in 2012. Over the past 12 years, Craig has led transformative projects of varying scales, from site-specific redevelopment projects to municipal-wide long-range master plans. He leads urban design strategies throughout the firm’s work, exemplifying coordination between multiple disciplines that engage the community and turn vision into reality. His planning work on the National Avenue Corridor Plan in West Allis laid the framework for the City to attract millions in private development shortly after the plan’s adoption. Craig continues to engage with communities to advocate for the creation of vibrant, thriving places through policy and design. His promotion to Principal formalizes his integral role in integrating multidisciplinary approaches to urban design, ensuring seamless transitions from vision to implementation.

Tony Balistreri — Principal, Director of Technology Services

With a career spanning over 20 years, Tony’s work ensures that GRAEF's IT systems remain secure, reliable, and scalable. Tony's current focus is developing a "talent anywhere" workforce model, which allows GRAEF to hire top designers globally while ensuring seamless access to high-performance computing. His promotion to Principal recognizes his strategic vision and leadership in the firm’s technological growth.

Newly Elected Associates

2

Alex Van Boxtel, PE — Associate, Structural Engineer

Since joining GRAEF's Green Bay office in 2019, Alex quickly established himself as a key contributor to structural engineering projects, specializing in structural steel, light-frame wood, and concrete structures. With a master's degree in Structural Engineering and his recent PE licensure, Alex has played a pivotal role in designing structures for industrial marine manufacturing, educational facilities, and exhibition centers. He finds fulfillment in seeing his designs come to life and knowing that the structures he designs will stand the test of time.

 

Anna Rowe, PE — Associate, Mechanical & Plumbing Engineer

Anna's career at GRAEF began as an intern during her sophomore year, and she has since grown into a leader in mechanical and plumbing engineering. Over the past nine years, Anna has worked on a diverse range of projects, including senior living facilities, airport renovations, and wire manufacturing plants across the country. Anna thrives on understanding her clients’ businesses and crafting HVAC and plumbing solutions that make their environments safer and more efficient.

 

Dan Sippel, PE — Associate, Civil Engineer

Dan’s journey with GRAEF began as a co-op student, and he now leads civil design on a wide array of projects across the healthcare, sports, commercial, and industrial sectors. With a particular focus on stormwater modeling, Dan finds the greatest satisfaction in his healthcare projects, knowing that his work helps create environments where lives are saved.

 

Hussam Alkhatib, PE — Associate, Practice Team Leader - Bridge & Construction

Hussam has been with GRAEF for five years and brings over a decade of experience in transportation and bridge design. He specializes in highway bridges, including complex and movable structures, and plays a key role in project management, client relations, and mentoring younger engineers. Hussam is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing GRAEF’s bridge and construction practice.

 

Joe Packhem, PE — Associate, Market Team Leader - Utilities

With 12 years of experience in structural engineering, Joe has worked on a variety of commercial and industrial projects. He is currently focusing on data centers, power generation facilities and heavy manufacturing. He excels in working with a wide range of structural materials and has a strong business development background, helping clients identify suitable sites for large-scale power needs.

 

Joe Tschida, PE — Associate, Structural Engineer

Joe began his career with GRAEF right after graduating college, quickly becoming an essential part of the Minnesota office as the first non-leader hire. Over the past six years, he has showcased his versatility and dedication, particularly through his involvement in the Accelerate initiative. Specializing in Structural Engineering, Joe has led numerous complex projects and continues to contribute significantly to the firm's success, applying his expertise to ensure high standards of quality and coordination.

 

Troy R. Yopp — Associate, Corporate CAD Manager, Senior Civil CAD Designer

Since beginning his career in 2002 as a Civil Engineering Technician, Troy has built a broad and deep expertise in site design, roadway design, utility design, and software management. Driven by a desire to learn, he quickly expanded his skills across all facets of civil engineering—including surveying, construction inspection, as-built drawings, and municipal infrastructure design. His interest in technology led him to explore the digital side of the industry, focusing on how CAD tools could enhance efficiency in civil design and construction documentation. This passion naturally evolved into a focus on CAD and software management.