General Manager Transitions for San Diego and Atlanta Offices
July 6, 2026
Coffman is pleased to share that effective July 1, 2026, Rae Ferriolo, PE, and Mike Ernst, PE, have been selected as the next General Managers for our San Diego and Atlanta offices. Their appointments reflect years of leadership development, planning, and service to their offices, clients, and communities.
These leadership changes reflect Coffman’s commitment to developing leaders within while positioning both offices for long-term success.
Rae Ferriolo Named General Manager of San Diego Office
Rae Ferriolo has been part of the San Diego office since its start and has played an important role in its growth and success. Most recently, she served as Operations Manager and spent the past year working closely with Scott Twele, PE, as part of his planned leadership transition from San Diego General Manager to President.
Known for her approachable leadership style, deep connections with staff, project management skills, and support for the office’s culture and operations, Rae is a trusted member of the San Diego leadership team.
“Rae has demonstrated her ability to guide the office forward with grace and poise, and this past year working with her on this transition has been both fun and rewarding as she consistently brings new ideas and energy to the table that continue to elevate the San Diego office and our Southwest region,” said Twele. “I have the utmost confidence that the office is in excellent hands under her leadership.”
Scott will continue focusing on his responsibilities as President while collaborating with Rae and the Southwest leadership team to support the office’s continued success.
“I’m honored to step into this role and continue working alongside the awesome team that has helped shape our San Diego office,” said Ferriolo. “Being part of our growth the past 9 years has been both rewarding and inspiring, and I’m grateful to the San Diego team and Scott for their support and encouragement throughout the years. I’m excited to take on this new responsibility, build on the strong foundation already in place, and help lead us into the next chapter together.”
Mike Ernst Named General Manager of Atlanta Office
Mike Ernst, PE, succeeds Eric Apolenis, PE, Senior Vice President and Southeast Regional Manager. Mike was the second employee to join the Atlanta office and has helped shape its growth while contributing to the expansion of Coffman’s fire protection engineering and fire forensics services throughout the Southeast.
Most recently, Mike served as Atlanta Operations Manager and Fire Protection Engineering Discipline Manager. He is a steady, thoughtful leader who combines technical experience with a collaborative approach.
This leadership transition supports Coffman’s continued investment in the Southeast. As Mike assumes responsibility for the Atlanta office, Eric will devote more focus on regional growth initiatives and emerging opportunities.
“I’ve seen firsthand Mike’s commitment to our team, our clients, and the quality of our work,” said Apolenis. “He consistently raises the bar and leads by example, setting a standard of excellence across the organization. This transition strengthens leadership capacity for the office and allows us to expand our focus on regional opportunities.”
“Having been part of the Atlanta office since its inception, it’s incredibly rewarding to step into this position,” said Ernst. “I’m grateful for the team that has helped build such a strong office and I’m excited to lead us into the future. Together, we will continue strengthening client relationships, developing our people, and pursuing new opportunities for growth across the Atlanta market.”
