Why ZCS?

Richard Zbinden

As the founder of Zbinden Engineering, Dick’s legacy has led us to where we find ourselves today—a thriving band of friends and professionals, and we seek to honor his memory through the betterment of the communities we serve.

Born Richard Holmes Benton in Chicago, Illinois in October 1927, Dick would go on to live a storied life. He served in the Army, received a degree in engineering, was recruited by the CIA, worked for the FBI, founded several successful businesses, and moved across the country—all prior to his professorship at the Oregon Institute of Technology. He quickly became known as a teacher and mentor of young engineers. During his time in Klamath Falls he founded Zbinden Engineering, and started a legacy of hiring eager, newly graduated, engineers and helping to guide them professionally—something which ZCS still embodies today. Russ Carter, an OIT graduate, joined Zbinden Engineering in 1989, and in 2001, they formed Zbinden Carter Engineering, Inc. which eventually became ZCS Engineering & Architecture after continued expansion.

Dick’s memory lives on in the lives of those that he affected. Our work and the communities we touch are an extension of that legacy. Thank you, Professor Zbinden.

Liberty Elementary School Gym Seismic Retrofit, Tillamook School District

Klamath Falls Fire Station No. 4 Seismic Retrofit and Renovation, Klamath County Fire District 1

Broadway Park Football Field, Seaside School District

Eagle Point High School Tech Center, Eagle Point School District

Gaston Fire Station No. 11 Seismic Retrofit, Gaston Rural Fire Protection District

Nestucca High School CTE Building, Nestucca Valley School District

About Us

As a multidisciplinary design firm, ZCS operates as a one-stop shop for clients throughout Oregon. Our integrated structure provides our team of engineers and architects with unparalleled access to each other, allowing our project teams to collaborate and solve complex design challenges in-house. Our four office locations enable us to serve communities across the state. ZCS has been the engineer and architect of record for the design of many commercial, municipal, and educational facilities, bridges, dams, retaining walls, foundations, drainage systems, and general planning projects involving government agencies, municipalities, businesses, and private individuals. No project is too big, no challenge too great. We are committed to providing our clients with thoughtful, intentional design solutions that meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Our History

In 1978, Richard “Dick” Zbinden founded Zbinden Engineering as a structural engineering firm in Klamath Falls, OR. A professor at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), Dick offered promising OIT students professional engineering experience with local clients. One of those students, Russ Carter, joined Dick full-time in 1989. In 2001, he and Dick formed Zbinden Carter Engineering, Inc., which eventually evolved into ZCS.

Richard Zbinden

Russ Carter

Before his professorship, Dick lived a storied life. He served in the Army, received a degree in engineering, was recruited by the CIA, worked for the FBI, founded several successful businesses, and moved all across the country before settling down in Klamath Falls. He quickly became known as a teacher and mentor of young engineers. His legacy of hiring and helping eager, newly graduated engineers is still at the core of what ZCS embodies today.

Now led by Sy Allen, Zach Stokes, and Matt Smith (all OIT graduates), ZCS has expanded with office locations throughout the state and offers structural engineering, civil engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture from our four offices. While the company has grown considerably over the years, our leadership team still values its roots and traditions and continues to provide internships and real-world experience for young professionals.

Our Philosophy

We believe in helping students. From assisting high schoolers with senior projects, offering job shadow opportunities, sponsoring local engineering clubs and competitions, and hiring interns, we believe in supporting programs that provide education in the STEM fields and beyond. We feel that the best consultants are those who are exposed to real-world problems while receiving their classical education. In alignment with our history, we are happy to say that over one-third of our current engineering and architecture staff previously interned with ZCS. This commitment to young professionals results in a team that is eager to perpetuate the investment in the next generation and is genuinely dedicated to improving our industry.

About Us

Our History

Our Philosophy

ZCS Core Values

Design

Safety

Trust

Thoughtfulness