Latitude 33 Celebrates 33 Years of Engineering for the Future

Milestone Anniversary Mark’s Firm’s Maturity as it Expands across Southwest

San Diego, CA – As Latitude 33 Planning, Engineering & Surveying celebrated its 33^rd anniversary this month, the firm continues to shape the built environment in Southern California and beyond. Since its founding in 1993, the firm has grown from four to 75 team members, expanded its annual revenue to $18–$20 million, and contributed to some of the region’s most significant developments. The firm has experienced exceptional growth by staying true to its people-first approach, delivering thoughtful solutions for a diverse array of clients, and designing infrastructure that contributes to vibrant communities across the Southwest United States.

Early Years

Latitude 33 was founded by four partners, including planner Randi Coopersmith and civil engineer John Eardensohn, who wanted to create a company with a democratic structure that emphasized hands-on principal involvement with every client and every project. The firm’s breakthrough came when it partnered with Pardee Homes on Pacific Highlands Ranch in 1996. The firm soon added other local clients including Scripps Health, The La Jolla Institute For Allergy and Immunology, and the Eastgate Tech Park. As the firm gained momentum, it focused on hiring strong leaders and building lasting relationships.

Latitude 33 entered a new chapter with a transfer of ownership in 2019.  While leading all commercial markets, Matthew J. Semic, PE, became the firm’s president and partial owner, joining Latitude 33’s CFO, Kris Taylor. In 2026, her title expanded to include Chief Administrator, and she now serves as the firm’s CFAO. Senior Principal Giovanni Posillico, PE also took an ownership stake the company—forming a new leadership trio. With new ownership and a new strategic vision, Latitude 33 developed a purposeful plan for growth while staying true to its roots.  Expanding its services, project diversity, and geographic reach, the growth plan has proved highly successful.

Matthew J. Semic, PE, President of Latitude 33, states, “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in 33 years. This milestone represents a level of maturity for our firm—we have an exceptional team, trusted partners who share our commitment to collaboration, a clear understanding of where we excel, and a track record we’re proud of. After taking calculated leaps and learning invaluable lessons, it feels as though we’re entering our prime. We’re grateful for the people and communities who have been part of our journey.”

Catalytic Projects

Having contributed to some of San Diego’s most significant projects, Latitude 33’s growth has closely mirrored the growth of the city itself. Notable projects that have played a pivotal role in the firm’s evolution include:

• Pacific Highlands Ranch – For more than 25 years, Latitude 33 was part of bringing the 2,652-acre Pacific Highlands Ranch community to life, concluding with the opening of Aperture Del Mar Phase 2 and the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library in 2024.
• County of San Diego Operations Center – Latitude 33 was part of this innovative and award-winning campus for nearly two decades. With more than 15 structures, this 47-acre project initiated development practices that are widely used today, such as design-build, sustainable building, and a focus on employee wellness.
• UC San Diego – Latitude 33 has teamed with UC San Diego for numerous landmark projects, including the UC San Diego Hillcrest Medical Campus Redevelopment ($2.5-$3 billion), UC San Diego’s Triton Center ($428 million), and the UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute ($185 million), among others. 
• San Diego International Airport – Latitude 33 served as the landside civil engineer on the $3.8 billion San Diego International Airport New Terminal 1 (T1). The firm continues to collaborate with the airport on the Terminal 2 East (T2E) Connector Building. 

Fueling the firm’s growth, Latitude 33 is a certified State of CA and Federal Small Business Enterprise, Small Business Enterprise, & Local Small Business Enterprise.  The firm is also pursuing its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for its military-sector work.

Organic Expansion

Latitude 33 has experienced an organic geographic expansion as its services are sought by current clients in new communities. With well-established, company-owned headquarters in San Diego, the firm has opened additional offices in the last five years including:

• Northern California (established 2023) – Located in Sacramento, this office serves clients in the northern part of California’s Central Valley.
• Downtown Los Angeles (established 2024) – This strategic office serves clients in Ventura, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  A fully staffed survey team is based in Burbank, CA to serve Los Angeles and the surrounding region.
• Inland Empire (established 2025) – This office serves clients in Riverside County and Coachella Valley.
• Phoenix, AZ (established 2026) – Latitude 33’s Phoenix office helps meet its current contracts in Phoenix, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; Yuma, AZ, and beyond. 

Recent projects awarded in Central California—including 1,200 units of student housing at UC Santa Cruz—continue to solidify a foothold for the firm up the California coast.

Kris Taylor, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer of Latitude 33, states, “We’re celebrating our 33rd anniversary because we have embraced challenges and viewed them as opportunities to grow. We’ve intentionally built the operational procedures and organizational structures necessary to support that growth—but our greatest investment has always been our people. We don’t hire to fill positions; we hire people who help drive our organization forward.”

Giovanni Posillico, PE, Senior Principal of Latitude 33 adds, “Ultimately, our greatest measure of success isn’t the projects we’ve completed, but the relationships we’ve built along the way—the people who have trusted us, grown with us, and helped shape who we are today. Those relationships are the foundation of our past and the inspiration for our future.”

About Latitude 33 Planning, Engineering & Surveying

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in San Diego, Latitude 33 Planning, Engineering & Surveying offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to design. The firm provides public sector planning, land use planning, public outreach, entitlement services, civil engineering design, and surveying/mapping to public agencies, developers, and property owners. The firm’s breadth of expertise includes aviation, life sciences, residential, education, healthcare, military, commercial/retail, civic, hospitality, and design-build projects. Forty percent of the engineers at Latitude 33 are women. For more information, visit latitude33.com.