OUR TEAM
Tom Edwards
President / Tribal Projects Manager
Mr. Edwards began his career in the field of civil engineering with the Texas Department of Transportation in 1985. After working as an assistant county engineer (Smith County, Texas) for a number of years, he began his continuing trek into the world of tribal transportation. Mr. Edwards started with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1996 and remained there for nearly five years. In October of 2001, as an officer in the US Navy Reserves, Tom was recalled to active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Edwards has been immersed in nearly all aspects of tribal transportation such as funding, road and bridge design, long range transportation planning, road inventory, and environmental issues. He is trained and experienced in a number of civil engineering areas including site planning, parking lot design, roadway and bridge design, and transportation planning. Mr. Edwards dedicates himself to staying informed on current tribal transportation legislation and funding matters. His knowledge of BIA and FHWA policies and procedures is unmatched.
Carla Edwards
Director of Finance, Operations, and Business Development
Ms. Edwards is well-versed in business development, marketing, accounting, and office management. She is the front runner for the company in that she initiates contact and maintains relationships with clients and potential clients. As a point of first contact, she has an expansive knowledge of engineering functions, planning approaches, and tribal transportation needs.
Pamela Jurney, AICP, GISP
Project Manager (Planning - NEPA - GIS)
Pamela Jurney has been working in the world of tribal transportation since 2007. She received a master’s degree in Geography (Oklahoma State, 2006) and has used her GIS and research skills to organize, audit, and manage NTTFI Inventory for numerous tribes. She is the Project Manager for Cross Timbers Consulting, LLC, and facilitates the NEPA documentation and consultations required for federally funded projects. Over the course of the decade, she has developed dozens of tribal transportation safety plans to give Tribes a competitive edge for transportation safety funds. In accordance with 25 CFR 170 (Tribal Transportation Program), she cultivates long-range transportation plans. She reads and stays current on GIS technical advances and provides training and consulting as requested. Since 2009, she has served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Oklahoma chapter of SCAUG (South Central Arc Users Group) where she promotes GIS resources for the State and surrounding areas.
John Edwards, Ph.D.
Natural Resources Scientist (Biological Surveys - Hydraulics)
Mr. Edwards has been working in the tribal transportation field since 2004. He has worked as an environmental technician/biologist for the last 5 years.
Mr. Edwards received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science , a master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and doctorate in Wildlife Science. He has completed environmental and biological assessments in multiple states including Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, as well as wetland delineations in both Utah and Oklahoma. As part of CTC, Mr. Edwards is involved in performing biological evaluations and wetland delineations.
Rachael Cooper, PE
Civil Engineer
Mrs. Cooper provides engineering professional services in the areas of infrastructure, hydrologic, hydraulic, and bridge design. Mrs. Cooper has nearly 6 years of Civil Engineering experience in various capacities as an active duty commissioned officer for the United States Air Force to include project programming, construction management, airfield management, and contingency base design. Mrs. Cooper has also served as Campus Engineer for Bacone College in Muskogee Oklahoma.
Mrs. Cooper completed two overseas contingency tours in Kyrgyzstan and Honduras. Mrs. Cooper was stationed at Moody Air Force Base, the Transit Center at Manas, Soto Cano Air Base, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Mrs. Cooper separated from the Air Force as a Captain in 2014.
Mrs. Cooper has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Sports Coaching from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mrs. Cooper is currently licensed as a professional engineer in Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Louisiana.
Justin Hightower
Infrastructure Projects Manager / Grant Writer
Mr. Hightower came to us with over 10 years of experience in the construction industry. He has strong leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple projects. He is our go-to person for information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as he has devoted a great deal of time to reading and studying this law and how Tribes can benefit from it.
Becky Tremonte
Tribal Relations Coordinator / Grant Writer
Ms. Tremonte is the newest member of the Cross Timbers team. She has fourteen years of experience working with Tribes in both the transportation and education sectors. Her experience includes project coordination, transportation program consultation, training curriculum development, grant coordination and management, coordination and direction of tribal transportation training, events, and conferences, and website development and publication. Becky has prepared 20+ successfully funded grant and agreement awards garnering over $54 million for Tribal transportation programs.
Randal Oberlag
Managing Director - Engineering
Mr. Oberlag has over 40 years in the civil and structural engineering sector. His experience includes roadway design, recreational facilities, bridge design, water & sewer design, construction management, power plants, dam safety inspections, emergency response and environmental assessments, including environmental enforcement and litigation. He has served in rapid response capacities for various agencies while serving as President of the emergency management subsidiary of a nationwide public construction firm.
Mr. Oberlag has a BS in Civil Engineering from Columbia University with graduate work in engineering mechanics. He also has a BA in Physics and a Juris Doctor in Law and is a licensed attorney in state and federal jurisdictions. He is a licensed engineer in Oklahoma. He is in charge of all engineering services for Cross Timbers.
David Monnie
Senior Civil Technician
Mr. Monnie has worked in survey, construction observation and inspection, computer aided design and drafting (CADD) for over 27 years. His most recent experiences include the creation of construction drawings for roadway and bridge improvements, commercial site development, and residential subdivisions designed and drafted with Autocad Civil 3D. Most of his work experience has been in Oregon, Oklahoma, and Alaska.
Mr. Monnie has a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology. He is responsible for all the construction and planning CADD services for Cross Timbers.
Megan Hightower
Marketing / Administrative Assistant
Ms. Hightower is a vital part of Cross Timbers, providing administrative support for all of our staff members. She is also responsible for marketing activities such as website updates and production of our Tribal Transportation Newsletter.