Meet the Team

Sylas Allen, PE

Managing Principal, Chief Executive Officer

Sylas began working for ZCS Engineering & Architecture (ZCS) as an intern while attending Oregon Institute of Technology. He completed his degree in Civil Engineering in 2002 and was then hired full-time at ZCS. Within a year of graduation, he moved to Deschutes County and quickly became the manager of the Bend branch and a licensed professional engineer. After four years of managing the Bend office, Sy moved back to his hometown in Southern Oregon to open a Grants Pass branch where he eventually took partial ownership in the company and moved from Vice President/COO to our current Managing Principal and President/CEO. To keep the Grants Pass branch open during the recession, Sy adapted by sharpening his business skills and learning the value of balancing client expectations with project efficiency. His role in the leadership structure of ZCS has contributed to the growth and success of the company.

Sy spent his early years working with his father learning construction while building a family home. Looking back, Sy believes this experience set him on the path toward a career in construction. With his talent to problem solve and a few drafting classes in high school, he quickly turned his efforts to engineering. His career brings a lot of value to his life by giving him a sense of accomplishment, while also the pride of providing for his family.

In Sy’s spare time, he loves to go rafting with his family on the Rogue River, spending quality time with his wife, and raising his three boys.

Zach Stokes, PE

Principal, Chief Operating Officer

Zach has been with ZCS Engineering & Architecture (ZCS) for his entire professional career. He graduated from Oregon Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2008. He developed a strength for seeing outside of the box by working on complex construction support projects. Zach’s experiences with various civil, structural and construction engineering projects has given him a thorough understanding of the construction process as a whole.

While in high school, Zach’s physics teacher suggested he look into Civil Engineering. Taking his teachers advice, Zach pursued civil engineering, seeking a career that offered technical knowledge, interpersonal communication, and professional advancement. While watching and helping ZCS grow, it gave Zach his own sense of personal growth and value. He enjoys the constant challenges associated with the engineering world.

Now COO, Zach manages the Oregon City branch and focuses his professional efforts towards client relationship development, business development, and assisting the staff on all aspects of projects. He also is a board member of the Downtown Oregon City Association where he enjoys being a part of the community in which he works. Outside of work, Zach loves to travel, experience the outdoors, spend time with his wife and son, and cook for friends and family.

Matthew Smith, PE, SE

Principal

Matthew began his studies in Civil Engineering and Geomatics program at Oregon Institute of Technology in 1998 and then graduated in 2002. He was hired on with ZCS Engineering & Architecture (ZCS) in 2003 and eventually became the Director of Structural Engineering prior to becoming a Principal. Matthew has helped ZCS build it’s reputation for seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings and grow the structural division in all of the ZCS offices.

With his grandfather’s influence and his love for building things, Matthew knew his career was in engineering from a young age. He is a jack of all trades and has the ability to build or fix just about anything.

Matthew finds value in his client relationships and making them feel safe. Matthew has a wife and two children at home, whom he loves to spend time with. He also loves to take his son backpacking, fishing and hunting. He finds value in providing for them and showing his kids that hard work pays off.

Laura Pulley, CPA, CMA

Principal, Chief Financial Officer

After receiving her Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Laura moved to Klamath Falls for a position at a public accounting firm, where she became a licensed CPA and a firm partner early in her career. While there, Laura enrolled in the Managing Information Systems program at OIT to better serve her firm’s interests and earned a second bachelor’s degree.

Laura eventually left public and tax accounting as she felt her experience and expertise could be utilized in a more holistic approach to help companies plan and grow. Laura worked for various groups and firms in Klamath Falls and in 2019 found a home as ZCS’s current Chief Financial Officer. Working closely with ZCS’s management team, Laura is a key contributor in the strategic planning and growth at ZCS.

Laura has now been in Klamath Falls for 23 years, raising her three children and tending to their small family farm. When she’s not crunching numbers and strategizing with our leadership team, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and keeping up with her ever-active children.