(Charles Rowles, PE, at his downtown Bend offices’ desk as his company, C A Rowles Engineering & Design, celebrates 20 years in business | Photo by Simon Mather)
Founder Says ‘Divine Intervention’ Helped Keep Business Afloat During Lean Times
Bend-based engineer Charles Rowles started out with self-belief, a clipboard, calculator and scales — fundamental tools of his trade that he keeps in his office to this very day to remind him of his original roots as his company celebrates 20 years in business.
C A Rowles Engineering & Design, specializing in building design, land use planning and civil engineering, was founded in Central Oregon in July 2004 by Charles A. Rowles, professional engineer (PE), principal. With more than 40 years in civil engineering and building design under his belt, Rowles carries an enviable record of diverse experience.
As the company’s founder “Charlie” Rowles recalls many “trials and tribulations” over two decades of ownership and hundreds of projects, and, alluding to the breadth of his work scope, said, “We do projects big and small — from subdivisions to churches, and everything in between.
“Our staff holds professional engineering licenses in Oregon, Idaho and California, with over 75 years of combined experience,” Rowles continued. “We have many years of experience working with state, and local agencies to facilitate smooth and complete permitting for all types of projects completing hundreds of projects, and counting, since our inception.” Garnering the confidence of clients and localities, Rowles’ charisma and work ethic became the foundation of his firm at its outset in 2004.
Since then, Rowles, who holds multiple professional registrations and affiliations, in addition to a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Oregon State University, has overseen more than 1,200 projects at C A Rowles Engineering & Design. When he isn’t in the office, he’s often seen volunteering with the Oregon School Ski Association, or at his church, Church Of The Cascades.
Born and raised in Idaho, with family from McCall, Rowles’ father was a flight instructor in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Rowles landed in Central Oregon in 1990 and after 14 years of honing his craft with another engineering firm, developing diverse experience and capability, he decided it was time to strike out on his own to “take control of his life story” and launch his own company.
Early projects involved multiple buildings in the burgeoning North Brinson Business Park, primarily with developer Kevin Spencer, owner of Empire Construction & Development, who, along with Jerry Freund, had purchased the 105-acre site from Jack and Ellen Brinson in the early 1990s. “We did the first building in North Brinson for Max Manufacturing — originally with Max Garoutte — which is still there and operated by the family in the same 20,000-square-foot building,” Rowles said. “To date we have designed dozens of the buildings in the development, fitting with our specialization in industrial and commercial properties.” Other initial work following the company’s launch involved collaborating on multiple site development and building design projects with Bend native Jeff Korish, owner of Payase Development.
In more recent times, C A Rowles Engineering & Design has collaborated with Central Oregon’s Compass Commercial Construction Services, collaborating on multiple commercial tenant improvements and complete building construction projects. But Rowles also recalls tough economic times when his desperate call for a higher power to answer his plea for help was answered. “The last 20 years have been full of trials and tribulations through economic downturns,” he said. “I got through engineering school framing houses, which was a good construction background to have, and by 2011 things were so bleak, as many of us recall, I put the nail bags back on, doing a few small carpentry projects for enough cash to pay the house payment!”
“We kept going with a few engineering design/remodel projects or additions but around 2011, I was dying on the vine and cried out to God for help. My prayers were answered, and I was guided to leverage my 20 years of experience in planning, building and zoning and take that knowledge to provide direction to pastors that may be looking to expand or construct facilities.
“This was a true faith-based rescue story! A local pastor reached out to me soon thereafter and that started the path to recovery for our office,” continued Rowles. “God delivered that pastor in my time of need and that led to multiple referrals. To this date I have done 28 church-based projects in the last 13 years, and that line of work continues to bless our firm.
“As part of multiple building designs, remodels and new religious facilities, we are currently working with Shiloh Ranch Church in Powell Butte, and we also did the Father’s House Church on Stevens Road in Bend. In fact, we have done four churches completely from the ground up; three in Central Oregon and one in Burns,” he stated. “From 2016 we have added staff members who have helped expand our reach as a multidisciplinary firm. When I got here in 1990 there were two engineering firms in town, so we have come a long way since then.”
Rowles is past president of the Central Oregon Chapter of the Professional Engineers of Oregon and currently sits on its board, which has a focus on engineering disciplines of all descriptions. “That body is responsible for licensure for professional engineers of all disciplines and for providing opportunities for continuing education — as part of maintaining and raising standards within the industry for all professional engineers,” Rowles added. “The license gives the authority to give a stamp of approval to a project and recognizes the appropriate expertise to say a product stands by itself.
“I have seen a lot of changes over the years, but there is still a strong demand for industrial and commercial buildings. Building codes have become more complex as we continue to grow and evolve, making buildings safer and more functional for specific needs. There are challenges in providing seismic resilience — but the curves of frequency of earthquake activity are going up dramatically as time progresses so it is wise to be prepared.
“We are one of the few multidisciplinary firms offering everything from civil design to land use a ‘one-stop shop’ which means it is often easier for developers to receive all the services necessary for a project from one firm. I was something of a one-man band when I began in the industry — I started out with a clipboard, calculator and two scales, which I still have in my office today as a reminder of my beginnings.”
Rowles now employs a staff of five, including a busy design team which has 10-12 projects on the table at any time, primarily involving industrial and commercial buildings, churches, site plans, civil improvement and residential plans and mobile home parks. As a reputable and well-established local exponent, he has also developed strong foundational relationships with cities and all relevant jurisdictions that involve planning, building and street improvements. “When I started in 1990 you could go to Bend City Hall, meet with a building official and the city engineer at the front counter, go through the plans and walk out with a permit!” he recalled. “Things are a lot different now as Bend grew so rapidly, partly due to skyrocketing property prices in California in the late 1980s and the boom in population influx, particularly among retirees.”
In 2014, Rowles connected with Mike Sipe, chairman of 10x, a peer advisory board consisting of Christian CEOs and business owners that meet monthly to expand and grow business knowledge and grow spiritually. As Rowles puts it: “I’m getting my MBA one month at a time. These ten years have been pivotal in my growth as a business owner and as an engineer.”
Rowles said he is proud of the community service he and his firm are involved with, including everything from sponsoring entrants in the Bend Christmas Parade to supporting Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation and the annual Pole Pedal Paddle; the annual Prayer Breakfast, as well as being a regular volunteer at church and active in other aspects of community service. His company is an active participant in the Central Oregon High School job shadow initiative, which exposes students to different engineering and engineering-related opportunities, to allow them to explore engineering and design as a potential career path. “The program is exciting in that it may spark interest in engineering or going to engineering school,” he said. “I sit on the Professional Engineers of Oregon Education Foundation board and know how valuable these opportunities are. Oregon State University (OSU) Cascades has also drawn more attention to engineering with the programs it offers. As far as the future is concerned, I see continued expansion for our firm. I think the Central Oregon economy will continue to experience some downturns as part of overall trends but will not suffer the recessive tendencies that other towns face due to our relatively strong and diversified microeconomy.
“After all, we do have a climate and environment that is one of the most sought after in the western states.”
