Business Details
19 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Geotechnical & Environmental Engineering Services
Cornerstone Earth Group was founded in 2007 by a team of experienced professionals who sought to prioritize client service over corporate interests after leaving a larger engineering firm. Our team combines decades of expertise in geotechnical engineering, environmental services, and construction to deliver cost-effective solutions tailored to each project's unique challenges. We emphasize local knowledge, having built long-term relationships with Bay Area regulatory agencies and clients like Meta, Adobe, and Google.Our growth through word-of-mouth referrals reflects our commitment to the four corners of success: being exceptional, adding value, learning and improving, and maintaining a culture of teamwork and mutual respect. With offices in Sunnyvale and Lafayette, California, we provide responsive service and technical expertise to commercial, institutional, and public sector clients across diverse markets including technology, biotech, and infrastructure development.
Services
Geotechnical Engineering
Environmental Assessments
Construction Services
Drone Surveying
Laboratory Testing
Vapor Mitigation
Site Remediation
Foundation Design
Regulatory Compliance
Material Testing
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of specialized expertise in Bay Area geotechnical and environmental projects
- Our in-house AASHTO-accredited laboratory ensures rapid, accurate testing and analysis
- We maintain 90% repeat business through client-focused solutions and transparent communication
- Our team includes licensed professionals with decades of combined industry experience
- We implement a patented drone surveying process for enhanced site assessment accuracy
Associations and certifications
- AASHTO re:source Accreditation Program
What people say
Top drawer service
Solutions-oriented focus
Ahead of schedule
Cost-effective recommendations
Professional execution
Services
Geotechnical Engineering
Our geotechnical services combine local expertise with technical precision to assess site conditions and develop foundation solutions. We specialize in seismic evaluations, slope stability analysis, and pavement design for commercial and infrastructure projects. Our engineers deliver practical recommendations that reduce construction costs while maintaining safety standards.
Environmental Assessments
We conduct comprehensive environmental site assessments including Phase I/II investigations and vapor intrusion evaluations. Our team identifies contamination risks and develops remediation strategies that meet regulatory requirements while minimizing project delays. We maintain strong relationships with local agencies to streamline approval processes.
Construction Services
Our construction services include field observation, materials testing, and quality assurance during project execution. We work closely with contractors to maintain schedule adherence while ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and regulatory standards through proactive problem-solving.
Drone Surveying
We utilize drone technology for site reconnaissance, progress monitoring, and 3D modeling. This approach provides comprehensive site documentation, identifies potential issues early, and enhances safety during geotechnical investigations and environmental assessments.
Laboratory Testing
Our AASHTO-accredited laboratory performs soil classification, moisture content analysis, and compaction testing. With rapid turnaround times, we provide accurate data to support foundation design decisions and construction quality control requirements.
People
Ron L. Helm
CEO
Ron Helm founded Cornerstone Earth Group after 20+ years at Lowney Associates. He leads with a client-first philosophy, emphasizing practical solutions and team collaboration to deliver successful project outcomes.
Peter Langtry
Senior Principal Geologist
Peter Langtry brings extensive geotechnical expertise to complex site investigations. His technical leadership ensures accurate subsurface analysis and reliable engineering recommendations for challenging projects.
Kurt M. Soenen
Vice President
Kurt Soenen specializes in engineering geology and seismic evaluations. He contributes technical depth to our geotechnical services while maintaining focus on practical, cost-effective solutions.
Danh Tran
President
Danh Tran oversees operations with emphasis on technical excellence and client satisfaction. His engineering background supports strategic decision-making for complex environmental and geotechnical projects.
John R. Dye
Senior Principal Engineer
John Dye provides expert guidance on foundation design and construction challenges. His experience ensures reliable engineering solutions that balance technical requirements with budget constraints.
Questions
What geotechnical services does Cornerstone offer?
We provide foundation investigations, seismic evaluations, slope stability analysis, pavement design, and construction oversight services.
How does Cornerstone handle environmental assessments?
We conduct Phase I/II assessments, vapor intrusion evaluations, soil contamination analysis, and remediation design with regulatory compliance expertise.
Are your laboratory services accredited?
Yes, our geotechnical lab holds AASHTO re:source accreditation for soil testing and materials analysis.
Do you serve commercial and residential clients?
We work across commercial, institutional, public works, and residential markets including high-tech campuses and mixed-use developments.
How quickly can you respond to urgent projects?
Our team provides rapid mobilization for time-sensitive projects with 24/7 availability for critical needs.
Reviews (1)
Deb P.
Jun 19, 2019
Report
This review is based on the soil engineer/Soil inspection service performed by cornerstone. Danh Tran - Really really awesome guy! team was on-schedule, tests, reports were done on time. And the most important part, he charged me only for the services I got. No additional cost.
