About Engineering Support Services in the Chicago Area

About Engineering Support Services

The Engineering Support Services Story

In 2011, the founders of Engineering Support Services set out to provide services to condo associations, hospitality companies and engineering firms. Soon we saw a need for enhanced services to the condominium and townhome markets. To fill this need, ESS became a Licensed Professional Engineering Firm in 2015.

Since then, our team has grown and our skills expanded. Now we provide services to commercial properties and single-family homeowners. Our team includes professional engineers, architects and NADRA-certified balcony and deck inspectors. And our experienced stucco and EIFS specialists are helping building owners across Chicagoland and beyond.

In 2019, we opened our Southwest Regional Office to serve the Phoenix area. Want more information about how we’re helping solve building integrity and construction issues in the southwest? Visit our sister site at az.engineeringsupportservice.com.

do this. Our Mission

Engineering Support Services is dedicated to equipping clients for success. We use our team’s real-world construction and engineering experience to help clients navigate building integrity issues and capital projects.

ESS is committed to maintaining open and clear lines of communication with our clients. Our first goal on every project is to understand the situation first-hand. Then we create reports, specs and drawings that everyone can understand and use.

We are dedicated to professionalism in everything we do. That means our reports are clear and our estimates are accurate. We are committed to following through and following up.

We are committed to long-term client success. Building and maintaining relationships is key to ESS. We build every proposal and manage every project with that in mind. And we don’t disappear when a project is complete. We’re here to help you with any issues or concerns.

The Engineering Support Services Team

The staff at ESS have more than 170 years of combined experience. Our backgrounds include engineering, construction, architecture and property management. We’ve worked on moisture intrusion, new building design, EIFS & stucco investigation and building façade renovation projects. If it involves buildings, we’ve done it.

ESS staff regularly attend educational seminars to stay on top of everchanging building codes and products. In fact, we attend more training and workshops than our licensing requires. Because we know the latest building codes and best products, you and your staff can focus what’s important to you.

Strong client relationships are part of our mission. As a result, everyone at Engineering Support Services strives to provide the highest level of customer service possible. We regularly assess our services and adjust them based on our clients’ needs.

Learn more about each of us by taking a look at our profiles below.

Meet the Engineering Support Services Team

Greg Lason

President

Greg Lason, PE, is an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer. Greg has worked in the condo and townhome industry since 2002. He’s been an active member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) since 2005. Greg has had many roles at CAI. He has spoken at the annual trade show, written magazine articles and co-chaired the Golf Outing Committee.

Greg’s specializations include preparing construction specifications. He also focuses on managing balcony retrofits and construction projects. Greg also evaluates moisture intrusion, roofing systems, façades and EIFS/Dryvit. He is a NADRA-certified deck inspector. During his career, he built many relationships with product suppliers and manufacturer representatives. Through hands-on experience, Greg has developed a deep understanding of managing large capital projects.

Greg became President of Engineering Support Services in February, 2015. As President, he is responsible for all the services we provide at ESS. Greg relies on his deep engineering experience and client relationship development skills to guide Engineering Support Services’ growth.

Engineering Support Services Senior Director Engineering

Michael Brown

Vice President

Michael Brown is a licensed architect with over 27 years experience in building design and construction. Michael graduated from Montana State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. For the next eight years he worked in the northwest region and acquired his architect’s license. In 1998, he moved to Illinois where he continued his architecture career. Michael is a NADRA-certified deck inspector.

Because of Michael’s wealth of experience, he has been involved in a wide variety of unique commercial and residential projects. His work has been recognized by the Northeast Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Industrial Perforators Association and the Illinois Association of School Boards. Two of Michael’s designs have achieved LEED – Gold and Platinum certification.

Michael has been a Board Member and Secretary for the Harbor Springs Property Owner’s Association since 2001. His involvement with the board provides a unique perspective to his work for Engineering Support Services clients.

Chuck Johnson

Certified Third-Party EIFS/Stucco Inspector

Chuck Johnson is an experienced EDI (Exterior Design Institute) Certified Inspector and a Licensed Home Inspector. He specializes in EIFS, stucco and stone exteriors. Chuck has been inspecting homes and commercial buildings in Illinois and the surrounding areas since 1999. Because he has inspected more than 6,000 buildings and homes, Chuck’s experience sets him apart. That depth of experience makes Chuck the “go-to” person for EIFS, stucco and stone exterior inspections.

In addition to stucco and EIFS projects, Chuck performs detailed Property Condition Assessments at ESS. His in-depth, detailed understanding of buildings makes Chuck uniquely suited for these projects. Because of his deep knowledge, Chuck is able to provide Property Condition Reports that are very reliable and useful over the long term.

Chuck joined Engineering Support Services in January 2020. He is responsible for our EIFS Division. He is also a NADRA-certified deck inspector.

Darren Chrisop

Construction Inspector

Darren brings a track record of over 25 years of accomplishments. He has been successful in building development programs, marketing management, contract administration, insurance and the execution of complete projects. He is also a NADRA-certified deck inspector.

Darren graduated from Southern Illinois University. He went right to work developing senior retirement communities for a large health care organization in western Illinois. Darren has also worked for some of the nation’s largest insurance companies. During that time, he built expertise in marketing, estimating, claim assessments, restoration and mitigation work.

Darren has deep experience in the construction industry. Most recently, he owned a successful design/build company for 10 years. This company focused on new construction and renovations from conception through project close out.

Darren’s experience and relationship building skills help him work effectively with all team members and clients. The result is longstanding relationships built on trust.