Spirit Animal: Mouse (I was born on the year of the Rat)
Karaoke Go-To: I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Favorite Movie: The Godfather
Claim to Fame Moment: Being elected to the city council of Leawood, Kansas
Our Team
Our employees are our greatest asset
KOA presents our clients with talented & diverse multi-disciplinary teams in order to create vibrant and dynamic neighborhoods. We are wholly invested in our employees, our company, and the communities we serve!
Leaders with a Vision
Jimmy Lin, PE
President/CEO
Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.
Juan Gutierrez, CMA
Chief Financial Officer
Favorite Way to Spend a Sunny Day: At the pool
Newest Hobby: Bike Riding
Secret Talent: Latin Style Dance
Spirit Animal: Dog
The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started.
Min Zhou, PE
Director of OC Operations | Deputy CEO
Favorite Way to Spend a Weekend: Hiking, yoga, and afternoon tea with friends
Newest Hobby: Planting/Gardening
Favorite Word: Smile
Favorite Project: 3rd & Broadway Cycle Track Study & Design, Long Beach, CA
A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.
Joel Falter
Principal | Director of Planning
Favorite Way to Spend a Sunny Day: Out and about
Spirit Animal: Elephant
Favorite Word: Please
Newest Hobby: Making coffee
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Stephen Bise, PE
VP | Director of LA Operations
Favorite Way to Spend a Sunny Day: Playing with my kids at the park
Secret Talent: Juggling
Favorite Treat: Anything chocolate
Favorite Project: Foothill Blvd Master Plan, Claremont, CA
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Ming Guan, PE
VP | Director of IE Operations
Newest Hobby: Coding with my kids and the Dash & Dot Robot
Secret Talent: Remembering everyone’s birthdays
Guilty Pleasure: Ice Cream
Favorite Thing About California: Sunshine
To be a good professional engineer, always start to study late for exams. Because it teaches you how to manage time and tackle emergencies.
Charlie Schwinger, PE, PTOE
Director of SD Operations
Favorite Thing About California: Mountains, Ocean, Clouds, Sun
Favorite Movie: While You Were Sleeping
What Did You Want To Be When You Were 6 Years Old: Superman
Favorite Project: Escondido Creek Bikeway Missing Link, Escondido, CA
Asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
Chuck Stephan, PE
VP | Director of CM Division
Favorite Thing About California: The amazing geography and biodiversity
What Did You Want to be When You Were 6 Years Old: Seven years old
Favorite Vacation Location: Anywhere worth exploring
Favorite Word: Bumptious
Join Our Team
Our employees are our greatest asset
At KOA we know the success of our clients’ projects is determined by the skills and abilities of our people, and we are dedicated to their professional and technical development.