Jacob Lipa is the president of Psomas, a consulting engineering firm serving public and private clients throughout the western United States. The firm specializes in the land development, water/wastewater, and transportation markets.

Mr. Lipa was a natural choice to lead the Friends as President from 2008 to 2010. Under his presidency the organization increased staff, expanded public outreach, inaugurated a new website, and expanded the Friends Board of Directors with active, giving members.

Meanwhile, his firm (he became president of Psomas in 2002) has established a reputation in the front lines of sustainable engineering with a number of LEED-rated projects. Since 2002, the firm has more than doubled in size, has entered several new markets, and expanded throughout the West. He is in charge of all day-to-day operations of the 700-employee firm.

Prior to assuming his current position, Lipa was principal-in-charge of Psomas’ land development services. He has more than 3 decades experience providing civil engineering services and managing large-scale projects in the United States, including Playa Vista, the location of the Ballona Wetlands.