About Us

Waterway Surveys & Engineering, Ltd. was founded in 1977 with the express purpose of providing the highly specialized professional expertise required to perform surveying, engineering and environmental consulting for commercial, industrial and governmental clients involved in a wide assortment of projects in the marine environment. We place a high priority on being involved with the maritime community, and therefore, our services are tailored to our clients’ important needs.

Waterway’s continuing success is directly attributable to the ability of our professional staff and employees.

Our Professional Staff

Robert “Bob” L. Taliaferro, L.S., C.I.H.
President
bobt@waterway.net
Bob Taliaferro has more than 45 years of experience in all types of field surveys and data acquisition. He has performed geodetic control, cadastral, topographic and hydrographic surveys throughout most states on the eastern seaboard, as well as abroad. Bob is a Certified Inshore Hydrographer by the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping and an active member of the Hydrographic Society and the Virginia Association of Surveyors. His primary responsibility is in planning, supervising and directing Waterway’s diverse surveying program.

Tracy G. Quast, P.E.
Vice President
tquast@waterway.net
Tracy Quast is a registered Professional Engineer with over 30 years of diversified civil engineering design and project management experience serving local, state and federal clients. Her experience includes design and management of dredging projects, utility distribution projects and site projects. These projects have included dredging, dredged material management, stormwater management, drainage design, planning, water distribution, sewer collection systems, airfields, firing ranges and roadway design. At Waterway, her primary responsibility is managing a variety of dredging and site engineering projects.

Rebecca S. Francese
Senior Environmental Scientist
beccaf@waterway.net
Rebecca Francese is a Senior Environmental Scientist with more than 35 years of experience in both coastal and environmental projects. Her expertise ranges from environmental site assessments and permitting to management planning for coastal zone and dredging issues. Rebecca has designed several dune constructions, shoreline protections and beach re-nourishment projects, as well as miles of small boat navigation channels. At Waterway, her primary responsibility is to oversee the environmental, regulatory and beach management programs.

Russell “Rusty” C. Sanderson, L.S., PLS
Project Surveyor
rusty@waterway.net
Russell “Rusty” Sanderson is a Professional Surveyor with more than 38 years of experience in project management, boundary retracement, geodetic control networks, precision leveling, tidal datums, environmental surveys, structural surveys, deformation monitoring and the precision measurement of industrial machinery (cranes, rail systems and process lines). Proficient with AutoCAD 2007 (some LISP programming), Carlson Survey, MS Excel, TDS, Leica Ski-Pro LGO, Leica Robotics, Digital leveling with NOS software and Leica GPS systems.

John B. Walsh, P.E.
Senior Consultant
jwalsh@waterway.net
After 44 years of dedicated service, John Walsh retired as C.E.O. from Waterway on July 1, 2021.  Although, he is officially retired, he will continue as a Senior Consultant with Waterway for at least five years.  With over 55 years of experience in engineering and surveying, John Walsh has paved the way for excellent management leadership at Waterway. His experience ranges from site planning and drainage analysis to the design of coastal structures, marinas and maintenance, and new work dredging projects. He is also an expert in developing short- and long-term management plans for dredged material disposal. In addition to his hands-on approach to engineering, John has been responsible for managing the diverse Waterway team including the environmental, surveying and engineering programs. 

Other Waterway Personnel