About us

Michael R. Simpson, MBA, PE, is a distinguished Civil/Geotechnical Engineer with over 30 years of experience, specializing in forensic and geotechnical engineering, with a focus on residential home foundations. As a founder of Desert Foundation Forensic Engineering, he applies his extensive expertise to deliver expert witness testimony and forensic evaluations, helping homeowners address foundation failures and home movement with cost-effective, tailored solutions. A registered Professional Engineer since 1997, Michael has spearheaded multimillion-dollar projects, including leadership roles in designing geotechnical remedies for complex foundation and retaining wall challenges. His federal tenure includes serving as FEMA’s Infrastructure Branch Directorate Chief in Puerto Rico (2018-2021), where he provided geotechnical guidance for billion-dollar disaster recovery efforts, and earlier contributions to post-Hurricane Katrina infrastructure rebuilding in New Orleans. Renowned for his proficiency in soil engineering, deep foundation design, and expansive soil remediation, Michael drives resilient, data-informed solutions for clients. 

Omied (Oh-mead) Arianejad is a licensed Professional Engineer holding a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, with specialized expertise in geotechnical engineering. He possesses extensive experience in the geotechnical design of highway infrastructure, ensuring dependable foundational systems. Additionally, he is proficient in geohazard assessment, actively monitoring landslides along Arizona’s highways to mitigate risks and enhance safety. His professional background also encompasses forensic investigations of bridges throughout Arizona, where he evaluates structural stability to uphold safety standards. Omied contributes a thorough understanding of soil mechanics and structural principles to each project, delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes with a professional and detail-oriented approach. 

Jason Bernal has over 15 years of experience in the civil engineering field. He has a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University and is registered E.I.T. in Arizona. Jason has experience in both the private and public sectors, as well as both large and small-scale projects. He has performed hundreds of site visits and prepared hundreds of foundation repair plans. Jason has significant experience in reviewing photographs, survey data, indications of stress, and Tilt/Deflection foundation calculations. Mr. Bernal is passionate about evaluating data and developing economic solutions for the homeowner.