Celebratory Event Includes Surprise Tribute Video and Leadership Transition Announcement
Augspurger Komm Engineering, Inc. (AKE) proudly marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of trusted forensic engineering and expert witness services, and technical reliability. The milestone also represents a new chapter for the firm, as longtime President David Komm retires and leadership transitions to Joe Zbick, PE and Todd Springer, PE.
Founded in 1975 by Quent Augspurger, AKE began as a small firm focused on mechanical design. Five years after the company was founded, Quent was hired to serve as an expert witness. Over the coming years, the forensic engineering work continued to grow into what is now a nationally respected forensic engineering company.
When Dave joined the firm in 2000, AKE had just four employees. His vision and expertise helped shape the company’s modern era—expanding its team, services, and clientele. Under his leadership, AKE continued to invest in new technologies, growing its in-house lab and large-scale testing capabilities, while also establishing mentorship programs for emerging engineers.
Key milestones along AKE’s 50-year journey include:
2003 – Becoming Augspurger Komm Engineering, recognizing the partnership between Quent Augspurger and Dave Komm.
2007 – Relocating to a 16,000-square-foot Phoenix headquarters and acquiring BTI to expand services in heavy machinery, reconstruction, biomechanics, and human factors.
2020 – Launching an internship partnership with Paradise Valley Schools to support STEM education and workforce development.
2021 – Construction of an in-house lab, providing a conditioned space with ample room for hosting large groups for inspections, and housing the ever-increasing examination and testing equipment.
Throughout its history, AKE’s mission has remained consistent: to uncover the truth behind engineering failures and accidents with precision, objectivity, and professionalism – but also, the strength of the company is its people, according to the former president. “The collaboration, mentorship, and curiosity among our engineers make all of us better investigators. That’s the legacy I’m most proud of,” said Dave.
As AKE celebrates its golden anniversary, it also welcomes new leadership. Joe Zbick, PE, and Todd Springer, PE, both long-tenured engineers within the firm, will assume executive leadership roles, continuing the firm’s commitment to technical excellence and integrity.
“We’ve got big shoes to fill, and I am looking forward to it. Our focus is to reinforce the values that got us where we are, and to facilitate the growth of our staff,” said Springer. “We are very lucky to have the group that we do, and they should have no problem taking the company to new heights.”
Zbick, a structural engineer, and Springer, a mechanical engineer, have each spent years cultivating client trust and mentoring the next generation of experts. Together, they will guide AKE through its next era—advancing innovation, expanding capabilities, and preserving the collaborative culture that defines the firm.
“The culture that has been established by Dave and Quent is one that fosters learning while encouraging collaboration and thoroughness, whether it be in research, report writing, or design,” said Zbick. “I absolutely love seeing those values exhibited by each individual here.”
Read more about AKE’s significant milestones over the past half-century