Team Profiles

All Focus Engineering team members are highly qualified individuals with a passion for excellence. Each has a proven track record of providing outstanding performance in customer service. Our process is based on accuracy and diligence. All work is checked and checked again, with the aim of providing excellent services.
David Lai

David Lai

Founder / Director

With over 20 years of structural engineering professional experience, David is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and International Professional Engineer (IntPE) with a background designing and managing residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings and structures of varying scales.
David is known for his efficiency in undertaking a design and for seeking the most suitable solutions for complex engineering issues. He has excellent conceptual and practical skills with a focus on seismic engineering. David is married with two children, and his personal interests include skiing with family and friends, swimming and running.

Von Maranca

Associate

“I am one of the Structural Engineers at Focus and have been working in the consultancy industry for 10 years now. I have designed structures for industrial, commercial and residential use; oil & gas refinery, petrochemical and renewable energy plants; and offshore structures.
Working at Focus Engineering Consultants has given me a different perspective in designing structures and has been a very exciting part of my career. I'm continually learning new things and I really like the diversity of the structures that we deal with here in Wellington. It makes our daily activity more interesting.
My wife and I are from the Philippines and we like to travel a lot. It is always an exciting experience to discover what’s in store out there for me and my family. We want to pass this love of exploring to our children.”

Hisham Muhyawi

Senior Structural Engineer

Hisham has aquired almost 20 years of experience in structural design and site supervision in the Middle East. For the last 14 years he has been based in the UAE with multi-national engineering consulting firms. He has led multiple structural design teams on an array of hotels, residential buildings, hospitals, educational buildings, industrial facilities and shopping malls. Prior to Hisham’s UAE career, five years of experience was gained in Iraq working with engineering consultancies and contractors.

Greg Ells

Structural Engineer

I am a structural engineer with 5 years experience working mainly on residential projects, plus some institutional buildings. I moved to Wellington in 2020 and joined Focus soon after. My previous projects include new-builds, alterations and seismic assessment and strengthening. I enjoy working on unique structures whenever possible and solving the problems that come with them by developing solutions with the architects and builders. Working in Wellington has given me exposure to designing earthquake dominant structures and seismic strengthening of existing buildings, which has helped round out my competency as a structural engineer.

 

In my free time I enjoy playing football and basketball, and taking in the natural beauty that the Wellington region has to offer. I also enjoy travelling, having spent a year travelling overseas and throughout New Zealand.


Jarvan He

Structural Engineer

Jarvan joined Focus Engineering in 2019 after graduating from WelTec, and has worked extensively on residential projects, ranging from single-dwelling to 50+ townhouse developments. He enjoys the challenges of applying engineering skills in solving practical problems.
Outside of work he is keen on water sports, especially diving.

Yuhan Nie

Structural Engineer

Yuhan joined Focus Engineering in 2021 with a bachelor degree with Honours in Civil Engineering from the University of Canterbury. He has participated structural design in residential and commercial projects ranging from single dwelling to 50+ townhouse development. He also has a background in the transport engineering field. He investigated traffic problems and suggested ways to improve traffic flow and safety. Outside of work Yuhan likes to travel and visit places with unique structural and creative design.



“My career goal is to further my knowledge and skill set within the Civil Engineering industry in a stimulating work environment while utilising my strong initiative, dedication and organisational skills”

Laks Nimmagadda

Senior Structural Technician

I am a Senior Structural Engineering Technician with a proven track record of 25 years in structural engineering industry. My roles have included drafting, detailing, 3D modelling and checking of concrete, timber and structural steel drawings within medium and large-scale projects to keep them on schedule and to budget.
The work I do for Focus Engineering client's enables me to draw on sound technical experience and expertise and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. I enjoy creating solutions to complex engineering issues.
Outside of work I like to travel and visit places with family and friends, if there's a cricket ground nearby I can indulge in my sporting passion too.