Why Us
At ECS/DTR, we thoroughly believe that everything we do from technically designing, engineering, modeling, specifying and overseeing the installation of systems during construction, our goal is to truly obtain a sustainable + durable building for our clients.
The firm was founded by Thomas Berger, technical Principal, along with business partner Gail Baker. He left his position as the Office Director of a national architectural/engineering (A/E) Firm in Northern California where he had built up a very successful local office.
Observing that many architectural firms were struggling to find senior technically trained architects, technical specification writers and seasoned construction administrators, the founders set out to develop a business plan to create a new company aimed at providing technical consulting services to architectural/engineering firms and other clients.
We remain committed to growing our client base and developing our employees who are eager to grow with the company. Over the past two decades, DTR Consulting Services has contracted work on over five hundred projects and billions of dollars in construction costs.
DTR Consulting Services, Inc., was in business from 2002 – 2025 at which time the employees and substantially all of the assets of the company were acquired by Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd. (“ECS”). As a part of the ECS/DTR Team, Thomas Berger and the other employees of DTR will continue to work service DTR’s clients. The ECS/DTR Team anticipates the change to be seamless for clients. In fact, we expect clients to benefit from this transaction, as the original DTR team will continue working for DTR’s clients but now with the added resources of ECS, which is a larger, financially stronger organization with a deeper talent pool and more resources than DTR had prior to the acquisition.
Our Vision
At ECS/DTR, we’re dedicated to creating a world of truly sustainable structures through great design, building science and technical architecture.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy has always been focused on bringing value to our clients. We provide unmatched technical consulting services with a thorough understanding of our client’s needs, deliverable requirements, construction costs and the building owner’s long-term project performance expectations.
Our Values
Sustainability is more to us than just another industry buzzword; We fully believe that true sustainability is not possible without durability. Not only is this true with the design, but also in the construction of any structure. For us, sustainability means that the building design and construction are engineered (including building science), field verified and field-tested to assure the building owners are getting what they paid for, that the building will be there for the long-term and continues to perform.
We strive to offer our services in a manner that instills trust. We want our A/E clients to be more efficient and profitable and our building owners to receive higher performing and more durable buildings. If our clients save, in both labor and expenses, by using our services then we have done our job well.
Our People
Gail Baker, M.Ed and HR, SHRM-SCP
Principal in the Firm | Vice President of Human Resources
Meet Gail
X
Gail Baker, M.Ed and HR, SHRM-SCP
Principal in the Firm | Vice President of Human Resources
Gail is a highly focused leader whose strong energy allows her to move easily from vision and strategy to implementation, problem resolution, and follow-through. Gail leads the talent management and succession planning efforts, identifying opportunities for individual and organizational development. Gail is passionate about providing opportunities for all DTR’s people to realize their professional goals and aspirations. Whether it’s through mentoring, professional development programs and training, collaboration across DTR’s network, or engagement with clients and the community, Gail helps our people take advantage of every opportunity.
She is responsible for the design and delivery of learning initiatives across the company including continuing education, training, professional development, performance management, policy design, compensation, employee relations, recruiting, compliance reporting, workflow development, and benefits administration.
Gail is an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and holds her SHRM-SCP designation. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s Degree in Education and Human Resources from Colorado State University.
Thomas Berger, IIBEC, BEC, CSI, CDT, SCIP
Managing Principal | CEO | Forensic Investigator | Building Enclosure Consultant | Specifier
Meet Thomas
X
Thomas Berger, IIBEC, BEC, CSI, CDT, SCIP
Managing Principal | CEO | Forensic Investigator | Building Enclosure Consultant | Specifier
Thomas is a senior Building Envelope/Waterproofing Consultant, QC Specialist, Specifier, Forensic Consultant, and Educator, with more than 34 years of experience in the Architectural-Engineering-Construction (AEC) industry. His past experiences range from contractor, designer, Project Manager, Construction Administrator, and Office Leader to Managing Principal. Before founding DTR in 2002, he successfully managed the launch of a new expansion office in Northern California for a national A/E Firm to become the 3rd most profitable office in its first full year.
With more than 300 projects and billions of dollars in construction experience, he continues to strive to make this firm the model for all consulting firms. He constantly strives to educate colleagues on the importance of science in architecture. Leading the expanding role of building science in the design & construction fields while assisting clients in the selection of proper exterior skin wall and roof assemblies including roofing through proper details and specifications is his direction. He is also heavily involved in Peer/ Constructability Reviews for many clients improving the bid documents to reduce RFI’s, and potential change orders, and reduce the time A/E professionals expend needlessly in the construction phase.
He serves on multiple professional organizational boards and has received numerous professional certifications and awards from the Building Envelope Science Institute (BESI) & Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) as well as being part of many project awards over the length of his career.
Jim Syme, AIA, CSI, IIBEC
Principal In The Firm | Sr. Building Enclosure Architect | Project Manager
Meet Jim
X
Jim Syme, AIA, CSI, IIBEC
Principal In The Firm
Sr. Building Enclosure Architect | Project Manager
Jim is an experienced architect registered in multiple states and licensed in California, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects on time and within budget. His leadership and management expertise allows him to motivate teams and create a collaborative work environment with internal staff and those of the entire project team. His deep knowledge of building science and the design of the building envelope makes him an integral part of our team.
Jim is a senior project manager with a diverse background in project types and a thorough understanding of construction drawings and specifications. In addition, he has extensive expertise in building codes, exterior envelope concepts, and design-sensitive detailing. His experience, technical background, and knowledge of the building industry make him ideal for the development of construction specifications, research, and identification of proper building materials and construction methods for our clients.
Jim is working with multiple projects in overseeing technical details on our building envelope and waterproofing projects, as well as our remedial architectural drawings, including technical project specifications for various projects. In addition, he is an asset in the field working with contractors, owners, and the design team. Since joining DTR, Jim continues to acquire additional training and professional certifications to make him one of the best in the industry.
Lauren Baker
Director of Finance
Meet Lauren
X
Lauren Baker
Director of Finance
Lauren is responsible for financial and accounting administration for all DTR locations. She brings critical problem-solving, and communication skills that are imperative in the field of finance. She works directly with senior leadership and project managers to track project financials, accounts payable and receivable, and expense reporting. She is an asset to project teams assisting with budgeting, consultant communication, and financial reporting.
Lauren also handles the firm’s communications programs, preparing market research and website management. Lauren re-joined DTR in 2021 after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in English and Computational Linguistics from San Francisco State University.
Kathryn (Kat) Burrud, CSI, CDT
Specifier | Building Enclosure Consultant
Meet Kathryn
X
Kathryn (Kat) Burrud, CSI, CDT
Specifier | Building Enclosure Technologist
Kat holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University, which provides her with a well-rounded understanding of water and water vapor movements in relation to the building enclosure. She is an integral part of our Specification team by assisting in the development of specifications for each project. Kat can be found in the office and the field supporting DTR staff and our clients.
Ryan Cadd, AIA, LEED AP
Associate | Building Enclosure Architect
Meet Ryan
X
Ryan Cadd, AIA, LEED AP
Associate
Building Enclosure Architect
Ryan is a licensed Architect with more than fifteen years of experience and a meticulous work ethic. Ryan is a Technical Project Architect with the responsibility of running the production and coordination of building envelope designs and the development of remedial architectural construction documents for DTR projects.
His experience includes design, development, drawing documentation, and construction administration of several 100,000+ S.F. projects in California and across the United States. He is a positive voice within the team and always looks for solutions within the parameters of the project and schedule.
Ryan is part of our Sacramento area office team where he works with clients on product selection, building, and energy code requirements for the exterior envelope, developing technical specifications for various building types and functions. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Design and Architecture from Arizona State University.
Aya Khaleefah
Building Enclosure Consultant
Meet Aya
X
Aya Khaleefah
Building Enclosure Consultant
Aya graduated in Architectural Engineering from Ajman University and obtained an MBA and Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Jonkoping University. Her previous expertise as an architectural project manager internationally, and lead architect locally provides a deep understanding of engineering project management, teamwork, and client relationships with deep knowledge of building construction processes and building lifecycle management.
Christopher Landry, CDT
Building Enclosure Technologist II
Meet Christopher
X
Christopher Landry
Building Enclosure Technologist II
Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Arizona State University. As an architectural designer, he has experience producing technical details and coordinating construction document delivery for K-12 and higher education projects. His passion lies at the juncture of high-performance façade design and the expression of design intent.
Christopher works in our Sacramento area office where he is part of our building envelope and remedial architecture team.
Nikhil Singhania
Specification Writer
Meet Nikhil
X
Nikhil Singhania
Specification Writer
Nikhil is a dedicated Specification Writer with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, India. With four years of experience working as an architect in India, Nikhil brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our team.
In his current role at DTR, Nikhil focuses on developing detailed and accurate project specifications, ensuring that all technical requirements align with design intent. His background in architecture provides a solid foundation for understanding complex building materials and construction methods.
Nikhil is an enthusiastic and collaborative team member, eager to contribute to the success of our projects. He is a part of our Sacramento team, where he works closely with senior staff to support various projects and enhance our technical documentation.
Jason Tarman
Technical Architect
Meet Jason
X
Jason Tarman
Architect
Jason is a licensed architect with nearly 20 years of experience in a variety of projects in the workplace, laboratory, retail, hospitality, and industrial sectors. Throughout his career, a consistent thread of success has been understanding that people are the ‘what, why, and how’ of all projects—a successful project revolves around people’s collaboration and teamwork.
With roles ranging from Designer to Senior Project Architect Jason understands that ‘how’ something is constructed in the built environment is just as important as the design concept behind it. His experience includes design, drawing documentation, quality assurance review, technical lead, construction administration, and client relations.
In his role as Technical Architect at DTR, Jason participates in projects with roles ranging from preparation of construction drawings and third-party quality control reviewer to driving the creation of technical specifications & project manuals. He also assists with conducting field observations as well as participating in forensic investigations. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture from Kansas State University.
Nathan Taylor, CSI, CDT
Associate | Building Enclosure Consultant | Building Forensics
Meet Nathan
X
Nathan Taylor, CSI, CDT
Associate
Building Enclosure Consultant | Building Forensics
A gifted international professional with conceptual building design, technical architecture, and building envelope/waterproofing experience, Nathan holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning. He is skilled in cross-cultural communication and team building, skills that are complemented by a broad understanding of building envelope (all six sides of a structure), waterproofing design, material compatibility, and construction oversight.
He is a talented field investigator, and construction administrator, and assists our forensic team in identifying construction defects. Nathan’s international background and experience working with multicultural teams allow him to examine projects from multiple points of view, understanding the concerns and input of all team members.
His involvement with such a diverse body of projects brings an enhanced ability to coordinate and provide technical feedback to the Project Team, the contractor, and our clients.
Diversity and Inclusion
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is absolute. We believe that diversity and inclusion are founded upon respect, and this needs to be demonstrated through the way we treat all of our stakeholders.
Learn More
Our Expertise
For design firms, we utilize our knowledge and experience to bolster your projects. Technical design, constructability viability in your construction bid documents, and technical oversight in the field, collectively increase a design firm‘s value in the eyes of your clients, overall limiting exposure to potential claims. We are the ‘Building Science Guys’. Working together with your firm’s design expertise, we can deliver outstanding projects that stand the test of time.
For Building Owners, we bring specialized training to enhance your design team’s ability to deliver an exceptional project; not only in terms of design but in building performance, durability and sustainability. We help Owners get the best return on their investment (ROI).
For our Contractor/Developer clients, we review the bid documents that have been or soon will be contracted to build. Many new changes in products, green energy codes and industry standards may not have made their way into the details or specifications. We analyze the proposed technical design to suggest some slight adjustments so you have all your bases covered. High-quality Contractors trust us to verify that the designs they are building will not cause them problems in the future. These companies pride themselves on quality work and minimal call-backs; it’s valuable to have a 3rd party partner review, like DTR, to verify that what you have been asked to build is the best solution for everyone.
Through the continual promotion of in-house professional development for all staff, and ongoing educational activities. and technology advances, DTR can bring clients cutting-edge industry advances, increase the value of projects, and protect our clients from financial losses. DTR offices are set up as learning environments; we are continually training and educating our teams to stay up with changes and trends in our industry. When the DTR team is part of your project, you can be assured we will meet your expectations.
Our Mission Statement
To provide our clients with unsurpassed technical services via a thorough understanding of our client’s expectations, project needs, deliverables, budgets, and the owner’s project requirements. Offer services in a manner to instill trust and allow our clients to be more efficient and profitable. Utilize our knowledge and experience to bolster our clients’ presentations and construction documents to increase their firm’s value in the eyes of their clients. Limit all parties’ exposure to potential claims. Promote in-house professional development for all staff and encourage ongoing educational activities, which support our Mission Statement.
Our Experience
If you need someone to write your specifications, make that someone DTR Consulting Services. We’ve written thousands of general and technical sections – and everything we do is based on actual construction experience. Plus, as technology changes, so do our specifications – we’re constantly adapting them to keep you ahead.
Our Expansion
DTR Consulting Services started out back in 2002 by founding partners Tom Berger and Gail Baker – and it wasn’t long before our reputation saw us expand from Roseville to Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Today, we’re known all over North America for our unsurpassed technical consulting services – delivering efficient, profitable solutions. We believe if we help our clients realize their savings, then we’ve done our job right.
Our Heart
We’re a company with a cause – lending a helping hand to those who need it most. As part of our charity efforts, we support local organizations like The Tommy Apostolos Fund – taking children to Kohl’s to provide them with new clothes. Not only that, we’re proud supporters of the Boy Scouts of America too.
We Deliver
Unlike other companies, we don’t make wild promises and then forget to follow through. At DTR Consulting Services, we tell you what we’ll do, and then deliver – it’s how we’re able to exceed your every expectation.
We’re Continuing to Grow
It’s an exciting time at DTR Consulting – we’re currently hiring! We have a number of vacancies available – and by choosing to join us, you’ll enjoy a wealth of benefits; like health and dental insurance, paid time off, and performance-based bonuses.
