Meet the Staff

Trent Nelson, P.E.

President of Apex Structural Design, LLC

  • Founded Apex Structural Design, LLC in 1997.
  • Received Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University in 1989.
  • Extensive design experience with timber, steel and concrete construction.
  • Provides forensic engineering services as an expert witness and for insurance claims.
  • Haag Certified Roof Inspector – Commercial & Residential
  • Provides damage assessment of buildings and other structures.
  • Determines the cause and origin of building and structural failures.
  • Analyzes construction deficiencies and provides repair solutions.

Julian Pearson, P.E.

Principal – Project Engineer

  • Employed at Apex Structural Design, LLC from 2000 to present.
  • Received Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University in 1997.
  • Held a seat on the Sioux Falls Building Board of Appeals.
  • Provides forensic engineering services as an expert witness and for insurance claims.
  • Extensive design experience with timber, steel, concrete, masonry and cold-formed metal framing.
  • Project experience includes the structural design of athletic, educational, institutional, healthcare, industrial facilities, hotels, churches, offices, and city government buildings.
  • Proficient at 3-D modeling with RISA and RAM structural design software.

Chris Behrens, P.E.

Project Engineer

  • Employed at Apex Structural Design, LLC from 2012 to present.
  • Received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University. Received a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University with an emphasis in Structural Engineering.
  • Previously employed by Structural Engineers P.C. as a design engineer from 2008-2011.
  • Extensive design experience with timber, steel, concrete, masonry and cold-formed metal framing.
  • Experienced with AutoCad, Revit, Risa, and Ram computer drafting and analysis programs.
  • Project experience includes the structural design of agricultural, educational, institutional, healthcare, and heavy industrial facilities.

Nancy Nelson

Office Manager

  • Responsible for inner office accounting procedures.
  • Client relations and marketing.
  • Office organization and staff support.