Smiling elderly man in glasses and red jacket outdoors.

Andrew J. Garner, P.E. – Principal and Chief Operations Officer

Andy entered the geotechnical field while completing his BS in Civil Engineering at CU-Denver. He gained valuable, hands-on experience doing materials testing, inspections, and managing projects on a nearly full-time basis while earning his degree. Andy’s career progressed quickly into project management of construction services and geotechnical engineering. Andy began to take on more engineering duties and a management role in the Denver office of a national consulting firm.

Andy’s proven ability to develop common-sense approaches to varying site conditions and his continued responsiveness led to the development of his own client base. In 2010, the time was right to seek new opportunities, and his professional relationship with the partners of Pickering, Cole & Hivner afforded him the challenges and growth potential he desired. Andy was ready for the challenge of business ownership, and the formation of Cole Garner Geotechnical is the realization of that goal. Andy previously served as president of the Colorado Association of Geotechnical Engineers (CAGE).

Outside of the engineering world, Andy is the President of the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, a non-profit honoring Veterans with no-cost trips to Washington D.C. (RockyMountainHonorFlight.org). He recently hung up his Scouting uniform after serving locally for more than 20 years. When he does get some spare time, Andy helps with Adult Faith formation at Shrine of St. Anne in Arvada, CO, enjoys playing golf, and attending local sporting events and concerts.

Professional Experience

Mr. Garner has over thirty-plus years of geotechnical and materials testing experience from proposal development through project management. He has managed geotechnical projects from the proposal phase through construction including site exploration, in-situ testing, laboratory testing, engineering analysis and technical report preparation.

Geotechnical design experience includes the shallow and deep foundation systems, settlement analysis, lateral analysis for deep foundations, earth retention, slope stability, subsurface drainage/dewatering, and pavement design and rehabilitation.

Mr. Garner has worked on hundreds of public works projects ranging from underground utility projects, drainage structures, water tanks, roadways, bridges, and pavements. Technical expertise includes foundation design, pavement thickness design, subgrade stabilization and improvement methods.

Mr. Garner is versed in local municipal/county, MGPEC, CDOT, and AASHTO pavement design methods and construction standards for new construction and several widening/realignment projects for varying types of roadways. Projects have included low-volume unpaved roadways, all-weather fire lanes, major metropolitan collector and arterial roadways, and State Highways.

Project Experience

Education

  • University of Denver, New Multi-sport Artificial Playing Field
  • Front Range Community College Improvements – Westminster, CO
  • Auraria Higher Education Center, 10th Street – Denver, CO
  • Kent Denver School – Englewood, CO
  • Yates Pavilion, Multi-sport turf field and lighting, New Middle School and Upper School Buildings, Site Improvements
  • Mapleton Public Schools – 2017 District-wide Improvements, Adams County, CO

Residential Development

  • Skyline View Apartments – Denver, CO
  • Solana Cherry Creek Apartments – Glendale, CO
  • Simpson Housing Walnut Flats – Denver, CO
  • 144th and Grant Apartments – Thornton, CO
  • Gables Cherry Creek – Denver, CO
  • KB Home of Colorado, Colorado Front Range Subdivisions
  • Wonderland Homes, Colorado Front Range Subdivisions

Retail / Commercial Development

  • Residence Inn – Boulder, CO
  • Spring Hill Suites – Denver Tech Center
  • South Pearl Parking St. Parking Garage – Denver, CO
  • Sprouts Grocery Stores – Various Locations
  • McDonald’s Restaurants – Various Locations in CO and WY
  • Valero – Various Locations in CO and WY
  • 7-Eleven – Various Front Range Locations
  • Value Place Hotels – Sheridan and Aurora, CO
  • Google Headquarters – Boulder, CO
  • Holiday Inn Express – Broomfield, CO

Local, State and Federal Agencies

  • Creekside Park and Pedestrian Bridge – Arvada, CO
  • Miners Mesa Parkway – Black Hawk, CO
  • Lamar Street Improvements – Arvada, CO
  • Weld County Roads 1 and 44, Flood Recovery – Berthoud, CO

Redevelopment

  • Stapleton Airport Redevelopment – Denver, CO
  • Saint Anthony’s Central – Denver, CO
  • 85 South Union – Lakewood, CO
  • 2401 Blake Street – Denver, CO

Education

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
emphasis in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering, soil-structure interaction

Professional Licensure

Professional Engineer, Colorado

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Member of CO Section
Past President – Colorado Association of Geotechnical Engineers (CAGE)
Chi Epsilon, National Engineering Honor Society

Work History

Cole Garner Geotechnical, Inc.
Principal, Chief Executive Officer
2017–Present

Pickering, Cole, & Hivner
Sr. Geotechnical Project Manager
2010–2017

Terracon Consultants, Inc.
Sr. Geotechnical Engineer, 2009–2010
Geotech. Dept. Manager, 2007–2009
Project Engineer, 2000–2007
Staff Engineer, 1996–2000
Eng. Technician Supervisor, 1995–1996
Engineering Technician, 1993–1995

Goodson & Associates, Inc.
Engineering Technician, seasonal internships
1989–1991

Personal Affiliations

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, President, Board of Directors

Scouting America (Retired):
Scoutmaster – Troop 231, Arvada
Cubmaster – Pack 667, Arvada

Former Board Chairman, Glass Hearts