TERRA ASSOCIATES - Key Persons

Ben Schepper

Job Titles:
  • Vice President / Construction Services Manager
Ben Schepper has a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Washington State University. He has 15 years geotechnical field experience and has taken part in hundreds of residential and commercial developments all throughout the Puget Sound. Mr. Schepper is responsible for the construction monitoring and testing services for Terra Associates, Inc.

Carolyn S. Decker - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Principal
  • President / Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Carolyn S. Decker, P.E. has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Gonzaga University. Ms. Decker is the President of Terra Associates, Inc. and has over 20 years of geotechnical engineering experience and has provided construction and design recommendations for virtually all types of civil projects. She has conducted studies for large commercial, industrial and residential projects, high rise structures with several levels of below grade parking, landslides, mine reclamation, groundwater, and many others. Ms. Decker is responsible for the day to day business operations, new project acquisition and contributes her technical expertise and project management skills to current projects addressing geologic hazard areas, shallow and deep foundation design, subsurface drainage, slope stability and stabilization, erosion control, retaining structures, temporary and permanent shoring, excavations, infiltration, and groundwater.

Ted Schepper

Job Titles:
  • Engineer
  • Senior Principal
  • President, P.E., Principal
Ted Schepper, P.E. has over 40 years of geotechnical engineering experience and has provided geotechnical design and construction recommendations for virtually all types of civil projects including: Commercial, Industrial, and High-Rise Residential/Office Buildings Deep Excavation and Shoring Water and Oil Storage Tanks and Reservoirs Water Pipelines and Electrical Transmission Lines Landfills, Dams, and Mining Facilities Landslide and Slope Stabilization Studies Pump Stations and Electrical Substations Interstate, County, and City Roadways Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants Residential and Commercial Subdivisions Stormwater and Wastewater Containment Ponds Infiltration/Retention Ponds Over his career, Mr. Schepper has developed a thorough understanding of principals of soil mechanics and geologic processes and has applied this knowledge in developing practical and economical solutions for development or re-development of properties with new building construction and infrastructure. He is well versed in evaluating drainage characteristics, including stream channel and surface erosion, groundwater flow, piping potential, and sedimentation. He has a thorough working knowledge of ASTM and AASHTO testing procedures and requirements for evaluating soil characteristics such as grain size, consistency, unit weight, shear strength, deformation, and permeability.