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Chatham EngineeringFIRM PROFILE

Chatham Engineering’s staff is comprised of 11 professionals who provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering services to a wide variety of clients in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.  We have worked with architects, owners, developers and agencies to provide effective and technically sound design solutions for educational, housing, healthcare, resort, marina, government, industrial, commercial and criminal justice facilities.

Our principals practice their disciplines and are actively involved with the design and management of every project.  They continually stress the importance of understanding current technologies and of maintaining effective quality control procedures.  This emphasis enables our people to achieve a high level of expertise and to deliver superior engineering services.

The engineers of Chatham Engineering always look to design facilities to provide long-term value to our clients. We study life cycle costs, which result in systems that can be constructed to meet budgets, yet can be maintained and operated in an efficient manner. Our firm has professionals that are LEED accredited.

It is the goal of Chatham Engineering to produce appropriate engineering solutions that satisfy the varying needs and requirements of our clients.

Exceptional service to our clients is also one of our guiding principles.  We pledge to perform our work in a professional manner, work as a team with all others on projects, be responsible and responsive and to make all projects a success.

MeetOUR TEAM

S. MICHELLE PEAVLER, PE, LEED®AP

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MANAGING PARTNER

Mrs. Peavler moved to Savannah in 1994 to join our organization, shortly after graduation from Mercer University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Michelle has worked all varieties of HVAC projects in the past 28 years including renovations for buildings she originally designed, but her primary focus is in healthcare, including all hospitals in the Savannah area, universities across the region, and municipal buildings in the surrounding counties. With her promotion to Managing Partner in 2023, Mrs. Peavler aims to build upon our hard work the past decade as Chatham Engineering and lead the company forward, growing larger in step with the community we serve. While not at work, Mrs. Peavler spends her time assisting the Effingham County Navigator Team, a non-profit organization which functions as a support group and recreation program for children with special needs.

PAUL MAMALAKIS, PE, LEED®AP

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, PARTNER

Mr. Mamalakis went straight into electrical design work after completing his degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. During his time in our office, Mr. Mamalakis has not only watched the office grow, but been a driving force behind that growth for the past 47 years. Stepping down from his role as Managing Partner, Paul is allowing a new generation to continue the work he started. Throughout his service, Paul has designed the electrical systems for buildings throughout Savannah and the surrounding area, though now he primarily focuses on medical; water, sewer, and stormwater; and higher education facilities. When the opportunities present, Mr. Mamalakis can be found cooking fine Greek or Southern cuisine, enjoying Tybee beach, or rooting on his alma mater, sometimes all three at once.

William Parnell, PE

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, PARTNER

Mr. Parnell holds the title of most experienced employee with over 50 years of electrical work with this office. William obtained his degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Southern College of Technology, now Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University. At work, he has experience with all varieties of electrical services we offer. As of late, he has been primarily focused on municipal work for local counties and cities. Outside the office, he has been on building committees for local churches, ensuring they get the best buildings and contractors to meet their needs.

John Gross, CPD

PLUMBING & FIRE PROTECTION DESIGNER, PARTNER

Mr. Gross worked for three years as a Project Manager for a local fire protection contractor after graduation before transitioning to engineering with our firm in 1990. Mr. Gross received his degree in mechanical engineering technology from Georgia Southern University. John is our resident expert on all things plumbing, fire protection, and medical gas related. While outside the office, Mr. Gross can be found fishing in both fresh and salt water, spending time with family, and restoring street rods.

Charles Cobb, PE

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, PARTNER

Mr. Cobb graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering technology. Upon graduation he worked as an estimator for an electrical contracting company before transitioning to electrical engineering. Charles joined our office in 1995, where he became our resident expert on pump station, water treatment, and waste water treatment plants. Mr. Cobb has also represented our firm and our region in the past as President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for the Savannah section. During his free time, he can be found hunting, fishing, or clay shooting.

Stephen Swanger, PE

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, PARTNER

Mr. Swanger joined our family in 2006 upon graduation from the University of South Carolina with a degree in mechanical engineering. Stephen primarily focuses on HVAC and plumbing work for commercial and industrial clients throughout the region, but he also had a breath of experience with renovations and central plants at local universities. Stephen is an Eagle Scout and enjoys being outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing, and participating in sporting clay shoots. Mr. Swanger volunteers as part of the sound, light, and live stream team at Asbury Memorial Church.

Jeff Mitchell, PE

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Mr. Mitchell joined our office in 2012 as an intern while locally completing his degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech’s Savannah Campus in the following year. Upon graduation, he joined our team as a full time employee. He is experienced primarily in HVAC renovations and new construction for medical, educational, and commercial locations throughout the low country. In the community, Mr. Mitchell volunteers with the engineering outreach program at Georgia Southern University's Armstrong Campus.

Ben Moye

ELECTRICAL DESIGNER

Mr. Moye completed his electrical engineering technology degree from Georgia Southern University in 2005 before accepting an offer from our firm. Ben with experience as both an engineer and electrician is familiar with all facets of lighting and power systems throughout the low country; in particular, he specialized in marina design where corrosion resistance and water proofing take priority. While around town, he can be found working with the Fenian Society and the new Fine Gael Society, two organizations embracing Irish heritage, performing charity work around the community with the Knight of Columbus #10579, and acting as part of the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

BRANDON SPIVEY

PLUMBING DESIGNER

Mr. Spivey is our most recent hire. He joined our company following the completion of his internship at Excelsior EMC after his graduation from Georgia Southern University’s mechanical engineering program. Eager to learn, he is quickly picking up the mechanical trade from our experienced employees setting him on track to get his PE. Outside of work, he spends his time skateboarding, attending Georgia Southern football games, and watching hockey.

Lee Cauley

CADD Technician

Mr. Cauley started in 2016 after working for approximately 12 years for both local and out of state companies as a CAD Drafter designing parts for airplanes, mobile shelters, and truck trailers. He’s currently refining his electrical, mechanical, and plumbing design skills following his experience with fully furnished mobile shelters, and is already proving a valuable addition to our team. While not at work, Lee can be found out riding his motorcycle.

Sarah Chumley

OFFICE MANAGER

Mrs. Chumley earned her degree from Agnes Scott College and worked as a retail manager before joining our firm. Sarah has been with us since 2005, during which she was promoted to the position of Office Manager where she handles, amongst many other roles, our marketing and accounting. While out of the office, Mrs. Chumley spends her free time with her family, especially her daughter, and reading.