BENCHMARK ASSOCIATES
The Team
Who We Are
David Patrie
Planner, Project Manager & Partner
David has over 17 years of professional land use planning experience. He has a diverse background spanning community planning, land use planning, subdivision development, permitting, area of city impact and annexation negotiations and planning. David is versed in land use law, state and local regulations, best practices and is skilled in site evaluations, needs analyses, project presentation and the entitlement process. David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering & Management from Clarkson University.
When David is not in the office you might find him in the high country on Central Idaho peaks, cruising the dirt single-track, at the ice rink or on the ski hill with his family.
208-726-9512 ext. 111
Rob Breier, PLS
Professional Land Surveyor
Project Manager & Partner
Rob is a Registered Professional Land Surveyor. He received a degree in surveying from Idaho State University and is a member of the Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors. He has a diverse background and brings a wide array of experience in legal descriptions, boundary and topographical surveys, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), platting, construction documentation and construction staking.
As an Idaho native, Rob enjoys all outdoor activities that the valley has to offer. On the weekend, you can find him with his family, fishing at a high mountain lake or skiing in the backcountry.
208-726-9512 ext. 114
Don Sewell
Land Surveyor
Don Sewell will meet all of your surveying needs. He has been surveying in the Wood River Valley for over 25 years. Don specializes in construction surveying and can manage multiple construction jobs like a champ! Best of all – he provides excellent service with a smile each time!
When not busy surveying – you can find Don driving his two kids around to various activities; but best of all Don enjoys flying down single track trails on his mountain bike!
208-726-9512 ext. 115
Cinda Lewis, EIT
Engineer In Training
Plat Coordinator
Cinda was raised in the Pacific Northwest, graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She moved to the Wood River Valley over 30 years ago and has worked on a wide range of projects. Her experience includes surveying; CAD design & drafting; construction inspection; civil plans and specifications; land development and platting. When not in the office she can be found enjoying the local hiking, biking and ski trails.
208-726-9512 ext. 117
Phoebe Johannessen, P.E.
Professional Engineer
Senior Engineer & Project Manager
Phoebe started with Benchmark Associates 5 years ago and has been providing civil engineering and construction administration services for single- and multi-family residential buildings, residential subdivisions, and commercial development projects throughout the Wood River Valley. With more than 20 years of experience in the civil engineering industry, Phoebe brings a broad background of water, wastewater, grading and drainage, and low impact development for both public and private projects.
In her off-time, Phoebe enjoys hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and playing the piano.
208-726-9512 ext. 116
Henry Brandes, LSIT
Land Surveyor In Training
Originally hailing from Colorado, Henry joined the team at Benchmark in the spring of 2021. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2014, he stumbled upon surveying while working in the hydrologic sciences field many years later. After a botched attempt at a career transition during the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself working on a survey crew in Boise, ID. Fast forward several years of academic coursework coupled with field experience, Henry is now a Land Surveyor in Training with the goal of becoming a Professional Land Surveyor. What he enjoys most about surveying is getting to explore Blaine County while working on some pretty amazing field sites! Henry has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado, and soon a post-baccalaureate degree in Land Surveying from Idaho State University.
On the weekends Henry enjoys rock climbing around south-central Idaho and getting out on the trails around the Wood River Valley.
208-726-9512 ext. 119
Sarah Smith, EIT
Engineer In Training
Sarah recently joined Benchmark in the summer of 2022 as a Junior Civil Engineer. After graduating with her degree in Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University, Sarah worked for an environmental engineering consulting firm in Portsmouth, NH in their drinking water division for just over 2.5 years. She has experience with asset management, water main and treatment plant design and construction oversight. She has also put together dozens of different funding applications for various NH municipalities. Sarah is excited for her new role here at Benchmark as she transitions into a variety of civil projects. Having grown up in Bartlett, NH with the White Mountains as her playground, Sarah is happy to be back to living in the mountains. When not at work you can catch her skiing on Baldy or out in the backcountry, Nordic skiing the Harriman, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, or walking her handsome pup, Bridger, on local trails. Sarah’s biggest weakness: “If it has a trout on it, I have to buy it.”
208-726-9512 ext.113
Max Russell
Survey Technician
This will be where Max's bio will go, he started two weeks ago and has been very busy learning the craft of land surveying. Please pardon our progress.
208-726-9512 ext. 118
Abby Garner
Office Manager
Abby joined Benchmark as an Office Manager in 2022, before that she was the Office Manager at Landing in Birmingham, AL. Abby graduated from The University of Alabama in 2019, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Currently, Abby lives in Hailey with her husband Curtis and their four dogs who are all named after wine! When she is not busy at work, you can find her at home with a good book. Abby also has a passion for history and college football.
208-726-9512 ext. 110
Meet the Sidekicks
Office Sidekicks and Outdoor Best Friends.
