About Us
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE
If we say something is going to fail, that’s because we’ve seen it fail. If we say something is going to work, that’s because we’ve seen it work.
Built on Experience
Recon Response Engineering began life not as an engineering firm, but as an Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) training consultant.
Our mission was to teach firefighters to perform rapid assessments of damaged buildings in danger of structural collapse. We also were accepted to the State of Florida’s US&R Task Force and were deployed for rescue operations on multiple hurricanes as well as the Surfside (Champion Towers) collapse.
In rescue work, clarity matters. We carry that discipline into consulting: concise findings, plain-language recommendations, and scopes that contractors can actually build.
Our background has given us a unique vantage point. We’ve seen what happens when building structures encounter the worst adverse loading that they will likely ever experience – and whether they have collapsed or not. If we say something is going to work, that’s because we’ve seen it work. This helps our clients optimize their limited budgets through prudent application of funds. They can feel confident that they’re applying their budget where it will do the most good.
Why We're Different
Our experience working as General Contractors and First Responders has shaped our approach to problem solving:
If it’s not functional,
forget it.
Our engineering specifications are intended to be less bulky and more useful.
We’re not here to listen to ourselves talk.
Talk to us about what you think you want, and we will help you get there.
No more nerd-speak.
If we can’t explain something simply, that means we don’t understand it well enough yet.
By continually reinforcing these tenets, we save everyone time, effort, and energy while providing a superior product.
Our perspective, influenced by our background in the search-and-rescue community, has a validity and reality-checked authenticity that not every engineer has the privilege to possess.
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Services
- Structural surveys of existing conditions
- Condominium milestone inspection
- Inspections of roofs, walkways, balconies, and exterior walls
- Settlement and Wind damage investigations
- Construction observations and inspections for general conformance
- Production of construction contract documents
- Inspections for delaminated stucco, concrete, paint coatings, and waterproofing
- Expert witness engineering consultation
- Insurance claims Assistance
- Structural repair consultation
- Production of engineered permit drawings, engineering specifications and project manuals
The Team
Andrew Schrader, PE, SI, CGC
Principal Structural Engineer
Andrew Schrader is a Florida Board-Recognized Structural Engineer (FRSE) and Special Inspector of Threshold Buildings (SI). He is also a Florida-licensed Certified General Contractor. He serves as a Structures Specialist for the State of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces and leads structural engineering operations at Recon Response Engineering.
Mr. Schrader specializes in the evaluation of existing buildings, structural failure investigations, building envelope issues, and the design of structural repairs for condominium and commercial properties throughout Florida. His work frequently involves forensic structural investigations, water intrusion issues, and construction defect litigation support.
As part of the State of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue program, Mr. Schrader has been deployed on multiple disaster responses, including six hurricane events and the Champlain Towers (Surfside) building collapse.
He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil-Structural Engineering from the University of South Florida.
Credentials
- CGC – Certified General Contractor
- PE – State of Florida
- FRSE – Florida Board Recognized Structural Engineer
- SI – Special Inspector of Threshold Buildings
Marc Shen, HI
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Marc Shen is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a member of the Recon Response Engineering team. He is a Florida-licensed Home Inspector, ICC Certified Permit Technician and an ICRI Concrete Repair Technician.
Mr. Shen has experience in both the private and government sectors, with a professional background in industrial power generation. His work has included specialized refueling and defueling outage operations at nuclear power stations, where strict procedural compliance and coordination with multidisciplinary engineering teams are essential.
Outside of work, Marc enjoys time with his new bride and is an accomplished waterman. His endurance paddling achievements include the 32-mile Catalina Classic, the 22-mile Rock-to-Rock Race, and the 32-mile Chattajack Race.
Credentials
- ICRI Concrete Repair Technician
- Licensed Home Inspector – State of Florida
- ICC Certified Permit Technician
HAL DEARING, HI
Engineering Technician
Hal serves as an Engineering Technician at Recon Response Engineering and provides field support for structural investigations and building evaluations. He brings practical experience in inspection, documentation, and concrete repair practices that support the firm’s engineering work.
He is a Florida-licensed Home Inspector, ICC Certified Permit Technician and an International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) Concrete Surface Repair Technician.
Outside of his professional work, Hal is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He enjoys fishing the waters of Tampa Bay and spending time with his family.
Credentials
- ICRI Concrete Surface Repair Technician
- Licensed Home Inspector – State of Florida
- ICC Certified Permit Technician
Amanda DeCort
Engineering Technician
Amanda DeCort provides inspection and construction cost estimating services for Recon Response Engineering.
Ms. DeCort is highly experienced in report production, spreadsheet management, research, presentations, and project coordination. She is certified by the International Code Council (ICC) as a Construction Permit Technician and a Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector.
Outside of the office, Amanda is an avid swing dancer and community organizer. She is the creator of the Tampa Bay Cherry Bombs social and charity group and a founding member of the Battlin’ Betties, a veterans service organization.
Credentials
- ICC Certified Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
- ICC Certified Permit Technician
