PRINCIPALS

Julia M. Harrod, P.E.

Julia M. Harrod is the President of MWM DesignGroup and the Principal of Engineering. Ms. Harrod has over two decades of professional experience and has successfully overseen and coordinated hundreds of utility, roadway, airport, and land development projects. Her ability to lead this multi-disciplinary firm is enhanced by her education and experience. Ms. Harrod received an architectural degree from MIT and a Masters of Engineering from UT Austin. Though she has worked at MWM since 1990, she also has experience working for architectural firms in Atlanta, Massachusetts and Bath, England. Ms. Harrod is passionate about her chosen career, devoting significant effort to promote the engineering profession and education in math and science. She has served as the president of the ASCE Austin Branch, president of  the Travis Chapter of TSPE, State TSPE Legislative and Governmental Affairs committee chair, State TSPE Professional Engineers in Private Practice chair, TSPE State Director, National TSPE Implementation Task Force member, Texas Engineering Foundation Trustee, Austin Branch ASCE Regulatory Stakeholder Committee chair, ASCE 150th Anniversary Chair, VP programs of the ASCE Austin Branch, TSPE Chapter Director, and TSPE State Agency Event Chair. She has also served as a Pflugerville ISD Parent Teacher Organization board member. Her devotion to the profession led to her designation as the Centex Discover Engineering 2008/2009 Honorary Chair and receipt of the 2007 Texas Engineering Foundation Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation TSPE Service Award.

Roberto O. Martinez, P.E.

Roberto O. Martinez is Past President and one of the founding principals of MWM DesignGroup. Mr. Martinez has garnered a wealth of engineering and management experience over four decades of professional practice. His professional experience consists of work on more than one thousand civil engineering projects. For his dedication and contribution to engineering, In 2008 Mr. Martinez was awarded Engineer of the Year by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Mr. Martinez’s dedication to the community is evident by his involvement and commitment to various groups and has served as a board member with Austin/Travis County Workforce Development Board, board member with Capital I.D.E.A., Co-chair of PTA at Pearce Jr. High, Recruiter and Instructor for the Summer Youth Employment Program, board member with Seton Cove Spirituality Center, Leader in Austin Interfaith, board member for the ACC Center for Public Policy & Political Studies, Leader with the Hispanic Boy Scout Committee, and a Deacon for the Austin Diocese.

Eduardo O. Mendez, R.P.L.S.

Eduardo O. Mendez, Vice President of MWM DesignGroup, has three decades of surveying experience, including extensive work both in the field and as a manager. He was one of the founding employees of MWM DesignGroup in 1980. Mr. Mendez became a Principal and Vice President of the company in 1994. He has served the community through his commitment to El Amistad Club of Round Rock. Mr. Mendez is also a member of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors. Mr. Mendez oversees and manages the firm’s survey projects which include topographic surveys, right-of-way maps, field note and sketch preparation for land and easement acquisition, GPS surveys, subdivision plats, hazardous site surveying, railroad surveys, title surveys, elevation certificates, and construction staking.

R. Larry Halford, AIA

Mr. Halford, Vice President of MWM DesignGroup, directs the firm’s Architectural group. He has three decades of experience in commercial and institutional architecture and has been with MWM since 1997. Mr. Halford’s projects have received recognition from the City of Austin Design Commission, Capital Metro, and the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Halford is actively engaged in the community having served as Board Member for the Volunteer Health Clinic, is on the Steering Committee for the Old West Austin Neighborhood Association, and served on the Loop 1 Aesthetics Design Task Force.

Amelia Lopez-Phelps

Ms. Lopez-Phelps is the Vice President of Government Relations at MWM DesignGroup, overseeing entitlement consulting and lobbying services. Ms. Lopez-Phelps uses her vast knowledge of the land development and political process to assist clients get the most out their development. She has fostered positive and trusting working relationships with elected officials, boards and commissions, city and county staff, neighborhood and environmental organizations, and the business community. Ms. Phelps has been active in the community since her days as a council aide. She has served as Legislative Advocacy Committee Member for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, Board Member with the Austin Electric Board, Commissioner for the Austin Arts Commission, Board member for American YouthWorks, Community Event Program Committee Member with River City Youth Foundation, Legislative Committee Member for the Real Estate Council of Austin,  International Advocacy Committee Member Austin-Saltillo Firefighters Sister Cities Association, Board member for Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Association,  and  Education Committee Member for the Austin Downtown Rotary Club.