
Our Team

Anas N. Anasthas, PE
President & CEO
Anas earned his BS Degree with Honors in Civil/Structural Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1998. During his college years, Anas interned with the Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka, and CDI, a private Design-Build Construction Company, where he gained experience in geotechnical and structural design as well as construction. After graduation, Anas joined the faculty and served there as an instructor before coming to the US on a scholarship to pursue higher studies at Syracuse University (SU), New York. Anas graduated from SU in 2001 with an MS Degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering. During his time at SU, Anas worked part-time at the Geofoam Research Center at SU and served as a Teaching Assistant.
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Anas obtained his Professional Engineer License in 2004 and since then, has worked on well over a thousand geotechnical projects and has been the Geotechnical Engineer of Record (GER) on several hundred projects. Anas joined CME Engineering Group, PLLC in 2010 and was promoted to Vice President in 2011. In 2015, CME Engineering Group, PLLC became CME Engineering Group, D.P.C. (CEG), at which point Anas became the majority shareholder and the President and CEO of CEG.
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Anas brings a strong academic background from his BS and MS degrees in Civil/Structural/ Geotechnical fields and 25+ years of geotechnical design and construction experience to the industry. Anas has performed extensive research on EPS Geofoam and its applications in geotechnical engineering. His research led to his winning the Excellent Research Award from Syracuse University and the publication of 5 research papers, which are recognized and cited by researchers around the world. Anas teaches and mentors his colleagues, delivers presentations for design professionals at seminars, and continues to keep his "finger on the pulse" in the field, to excel in what he does and to produce first-rate deliverables for his clients. Excellence and integrity are a top priority for Anas.
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Anas has represented CEG at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), where he served as a member of the State Board of Directors. Anas is an Elder, a Trustee, and the Director of Missions at Believers Chapel, Cicero, NY. Anas is committed to serving the community through local and international missions and leads mission trips overseas.

Christopher R. Paolini, PE
Senior Vice President
Chris obtained his BS and MS degrees from SUNY ESF at Syracuse University. His background in Geotechnical Engineering started with CME Associates, Inc. in 1995, where he mentored under Marcus Rotundo, PE. In 2003, Chris, along with Marcus, formed CME Engineering Group, PLLC as a Professional Engineering Services Firm, which later became CME Engineering Group, D.P.C. (CEG) in 2015. Chris has served as Vice President of the firm since that time, helping grow the company through effective marketing, strategic teaming, and investing in new technologies.
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Chris has authored several thousand geotechnical proposals and has served as either the Geotechnical Engineer of Record, Peer Review Engineer, or Project Executive on over 1,000 successful geotechnical projects in his career, ranging from basic single-story to complex multi-story, multi-functional buildings, both inland and on the waterfront. Chris is known within the profession as a problem solver and troubleshooter, who is skilled at dissecting a geotechnical problem and bringing well-thought-out, cost-effective solutions to the table.
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Chris has worked as an Expert Witness for clients requiring expertise pertaining to soil and geotechnical problems and issues. Chris has worked for both sides (Plaintiffs and Defendants) to get a fair and equitable outcome. Chris is adept at analyzing the situation and working with the attorney(s) on his team to prepare case strategy, discovery requests, and prepare questions for the examination of opposing expert witnesses.
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Chris has represented CEG at both the State and Regional levels for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), where he has been a State Board Member, as well as Chair of the Central New York Region. Chris also served as President of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) of Central New York for three terms. Chris is currently a visiting Professor at SUNY ESF, where he teaches a course entitled “Site Investigation and Solutions” to students enrolled in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, and Architecture Programs.
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Chris enjoys spending time on the water with his family during the summer months.

Elizabeth A. Casatelli, PHR
Treasurer
Elizabeth is the Treasurer and Principal Business Administrator for CME Engineering Group, D.P.C. (CEG). As a member of the Board of Directors, Elizabeth offers insight into development and growth within the industry. Elizabeth holds a BS in Business and Technology Management from Clarkson University, graduating in 2009. Elizabeth earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification through SHRM in 2011.
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Elizabeth's primary responsibilities include the administration and maintenance of business documentation, bookkeeping records, tax filings, accountant reviews, and internal and external auditing. Elizabeth's background in Business Administration and Human Resources provides CEG with insight into labor law, employer responsibilities, and the many essential business functions outside of Engineering.
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Elizabeth is an active volunteer in her community. Elizabeth is the Treasurer for her church and served her community as a member of the Village Planning Board. Elizabeth is the current President and CEO of CME Associates, Inc., a Technical Services Firm, which is a New York State Certified WBE (Woman-owned Business Enterprise).

Marcus A. Rotundo, PE
Secretary
Marcus has a diverse past which helps to characterize the entrepreneur, businessman, professional engineer, and leader we know today. After two summers working for construction contractors, Marcus skipped his senior year of high school (1972-73) to oversee/manage the construction of a residence and accessory structures in the Serra do Tigre (Mountains of the Tiger) in the state of Para, Brazil, S.A. Following project completion and becoming fluent in Portuguese, Marcus traveled extensively throughout Brazil and hitchhiked/bartered/worked his way for 6-months and over 1,500 miles up the Amazon River to Bogota, Columbia, S.A., then flew home to continue to work on the family farm and pursue his education in engineering.
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Marcus earned an Associate of Applied Science at Mohawk Valley Community College in Civil Engineering Technology (1976), completing work blocks in structural engineering design and tax mapping. After marrying his wife, Genie, in 1975, Marcus transferred to Clarkson College of Technology, enrolled in the Civil & Environmental Engineering curriculum and simultaneously worked part-time for the local PE/LS with construction materials testing labs and geotechnical engineering expertise. Marcus obtained a BS Degree with Distinction, CEE in 1978 and transitioned to full-time employment.
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Between 1976 and 1983, Marcus gained significant experience and fluency in land surveying (instrument surveyor), calculations and descriptions for property conveyance and topographic surveying, materials testing, construction layout and observation, construction administration, forensic construction failure investigations, quality control/assurance, subsurface explorations, and geotechnical engineering. During this time, Marcus was progressively promoted into upper management in responsible charge of engineering/technical management of over 90 employees at 5 locations in NY and NH. Marcus also established and managed on-site satellite laboratories for major industrial projects such as chip/computer manufacturer in Endicott and Owego, NY, another for Miller Brewing Company’s 10 MM Barrel Brewery Expansion in Fulton, NY and another for the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station Radiation Waste Solidification & Storage Projects, Oswego, NY, among others.
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In late 1982, Marcus established a general practice Civil & Environmental Engineering Services Firm under his own name. Marcus’ practice experience includes sanitary and wastewater treatment, potable water supply, treatment and distribution, site and civil facility design, subdivision design and layout, road and bridge design, town engineer representation, site plan prep and reviews, geotechnical and structural design, design-build services, gravity dam investigation and safety compliance design/remediation, catastrophic failure investigation/ design/remediation/rebuilding representation, Phase I to III ESA’s, sanitary and stormwater management design; contract document preparation and construction observation, administration and inspection. This sole proprietorship continues to this day.
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Marcus is the founder and past president of CME Associates, Inc. (1983 to 2015), Rotundo & Walker, Engineering and Landscape Architecture, P.C. (1991 to 1999, now defunct) and CME Engineering Group, D.P.C. (2003 to 2015). Marcus was the founding partner and Chief Engineer for American Auger & Ditching Co., Inc. (1985 to 1991), a specialty geothermal drilling company, and transitioned the ownership to his partner, the current WBE Owner. Marcus grew the Companies both internally and externally, through hard work, devotion to value-added and timely service, commitment to the success of every project, and the rapid deployment and integration of new technologies to enhance and diversify the services provided. In 2015, Marcus transitioned ownership of CME Associates, Inc. to his daughter, Elizabeth, and transitioned majority ownership of CME Engineering Group, D.P.C. (CEG) to three partners.
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Marcus is a dynamic leader and Engineer with exceptional ability to evaluate a problem, quickly and correctly assess the facts, predict the consequential ancillary effects, rapidly formulate and create solutions or remedial action plans, effectively communicate to engage the stakeholders, then rapidly deploy the forces needed to implement the agreed upon approach. Marcus is a patient, detail-oriented trainer with excellent oral and written communication skills. Marcus is unbiased and objective about situations, goals, and personal needs. Marcus is generous, charitable, and involved in the community. Marcus was an NSPE Scholarship director for 3 years and served as a Planning Board Member in his hometown, continuously from 1990 to 2011. Marcus also served as the Treasurer of First Baptist Church from 2007 to 2015 and is on the Board of Directors of Yesu Bi Bwana, Inc., a 501© (3) non-profit corporation (www.yesunibwana.com), from 2020 to the present.