Skip to main content
About Us

Engineering Through Collaboration and Innovation

RBE was established in Southern California in 1959 and has been continuously providing specialized consulting civil, structural, and seismic engineering services in California as well as several other states and internationally over the past five decades. RBE’s services cover the full spectrum of civil and structural/seismic engineering design and construction support, and our track record of success encompasses appreciable experience in public and private venue designs and historic standards, and in seismic/structural designs, upgrades, and retrofits.

RBE comprises a cadre of experienced engineering professionals uniquely qualified and carefully selected, trained, and developed to cost-effectively carry out civil and structural/seismic engineering projects. We provide all the broad range and levels of engineering, management, and coordination skills that are required to successfully support our Clients and their Project goals and objectives effectively. The principal members of the RBE team have many years of structural, seismic, and civil engineering experience in the design and management of a multitude of projects. The central team is further complemented by a group of multi-disciplinary engineering, technical, IT, design, drafting, and administrative support specialists who have detailed knowledge and experience with related coordination and design issues that commonly arise during any substantial civil and structural/seismic design project.

Our Clients rely on our consistently sound engineering knowledge and judgment, our responsive prompt professional service, and the continuity and stability of our business practices. This reliability is the foundation of our success and the main reason RBE continues to be recognized as one of Southern California’s most respected civil and structural/seismic engineering firms.

Furthermore, licenses to practice in California and several other, valuable relationships within important agencies, strong proficiency with state-of-the-art computer applications and structural analyses programs, significant experience in the code requirements along with dynamic reviews of changing codes, most recent research/developments in seismic engineering, and modern construction techniques continue to keep RBE at the forefront of current policies, advances, and improvements in the service of our Clients. We believe that careful assessments of geotechnical analyses and reports, accurate coordination of disciplines, value-added engineering studies, proper planning and detailed design, and careful on-site inspection for compliance with approved design will, combined together, lead to the successful completion of projects on time and on budget, and to our growth in multi-disciplinary engineering domestically and internationally.

Steve Ekmekji, President of Reiss Brown Ekmekji, Inc

Steve Ekmekji is President of Reiss Brown Ekmekji, Inc., where he leads a team of civil and structural engineers in delivering innovative and reliable solutions for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. With over two decades of experience, Steve has designed and managed projects ranging from complex structural systems to large-scale apartment buildings including smaller single-family projects. His expertise spans structural design, construction coordination, and expert consulting for structural engineering losses, ensuring clients receive practical and effective results.

In addition to his engineering leadership, Steve brings deep technical knowledge in project management and IT systems, having overseen both technical operations and office administration throughout his career. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Northridge. Steve’s combination of engineering excellence, hands-on management, and client-focused service has made him a trusted advisor to architects, contractors, and municipalities alike.

Samir Ekmekji

Samir D. Ekmekji, CEO of Reiss Brown Ekmekji Inc., is a seasoned senior structural engineer with more than five decades of experience in civil and structural design. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. After beginning his career in San Diego designing commercial and residential structures, he joined Reiss & Brown in Sherman Oaks, where he advanced to Senior Project Engineer and led the design of major multi-story residential developments and large industrial buildings throughout Southern California.

In 1987, Samir became a co-owner of Reiss Brown Ekmekji Inc., where he has since served as Senior Structural Project Engineer, Vice President, and ultimately President. His portfolio includes structural design for schools such as those within the Los Angeles Board of Education and UCLA, large-scale industrial facilities, civic buildings, custom residences, tilt-up structures, and specialty projects including Mammoth Mountain’s Mid-Chalet. As a licensed Structural Engineer and Civil Engineer in California, Samir continues to bring unparalleled expertise to complex engineering challenges and to the firm’s long-standing commitment to safety, quality, and innovation.

Anton Angelov

Anton Angelov is a Vice President, Principal, and Senior Structural Engineer at Reiss Brown Ekmekji, Inc., where he has contributed his expertise since 2005. With over 25 years of experience in structural engineering, project management and construction, he specializes in the analysis and design of diverse residential and commercial structures ranging from custom homes to large 500-unit multifamily buildings, seismic rehabilitations and improvements. Anton is experienced in preparing detailed structural plans and calculations, providing construction support through review of project submittals, responding requests for information from the field and performing the required structural observations to ensure design integrity throughout the building process. His work with clients, architects, other engineering consultants and plan check agencies has been marked by a profound dedication to each project and commitment to quality design.

Anton holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Structural Engineering from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. His academic foundation spans reinforced concrete, steel, masonry and timber design, seismic analysis, foundation engineering, and bridge structures. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Civil), as well as a licensed Structural Engineer (SE), both in California and an active member of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

Combining deep technical knowledge of structural systems with hands-on experience, Anton is committed to delivering safe, efficient, and well-coordinated structural solutions for every type of project from the design development phase through construction.

Sevag Astourian

Sevag Astourian is an experienced structural engineer with over two and a half decades of expertise in the design and consulting of a wide variety of building structures. He has worked with leading design firms, contributing to the successful construction of both public and private projects. His deep understanding of design constructability, along with a focus on incorporating the best materials, has led to significant contributions in building residential structures, educational spaces, and medical facilities. Sevag holds both California Civil and Structural Engineer licenses and a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His credentials allow him to actively participate in the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). His professional experience also includes shoring design, subterranean parking structures and hillside retention. Sevag’s leadership, project management skills, and technical knowledge make him a trusted expert in the building industry.

Diana Djoneva

Diana Djoneva is junior partner at Reiss Brown Ekmekji, Inc. Diana has over 30 years of civil and structural engineering experience in a variety of residential, commercial, institutional, and educational projects as well as hillside developments, public improvements, and infrastructure projects.

Diana leads the RBE’s civil engineering team and manages all aspects of civil land development projects including grading, drainage, stormwater management, erosion control, utility connections, and street improvements. She is an expert in City of Los Angeles hillside development and hillside ordinance which contains complex provisions related to grading quantities, retaining walls limitations, haul routes and various zoning limitations.

Diana has designed a wide range of structural engineering projects including multi-family and commercial buildings, single family residences, seismic retrofit, complex hillside development on deepened foundation, temporary and permanent shoring systems and retaining walls.

With this complex experience Diana has proven to be a valuable asset to many new and repeat clients from project inception through construction and completion. Ensuring client satisfaction, Diana demonstrates outstanding consulting skills, code knowledge, and ability to provide efficient design solutions, with proven track records. Diana is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geology in Sofia, Bulgaria.