The Merge midwest team
Founded in 2017, Merge Midwest is a woman-owned traffic engineering consulting company that is committed to promoting and furthering the growth of women in engineering.
Merge Midwest has a track record of providing a quality product by merging our experience with your project needs. We offer a full range of traffic engineering services for both private and public sector clients. We genuinely have a passion for the work we do and for collaborating with people. We want your project to be successful and are dedicated to quality and responsiveness.
Our Team
Janelle Clayton, P.E., PTOE
Manager / Co-Owner
Janelle Clayton, PE, PTOE is the Manager and majority owner of Merge Midwest and is responsible for the overall daily operations, marketing, and business development for the firm. Janelle brings more than 17 years of experience in traffic engineering, including traffic impact studies, traffic signal coordination and optimization, intersection design and layout, interchange design, street-lighting, and signal design (including temporary signals). Janelle received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa, and is a nationally certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE). Janelle is actively involved with the Institute of Transportation Engineers Kansas Section (KSITE) and currently serves on the executive board.
Janelle grew up in Nebraska and is a life-long Husker fan. She lives in Olathe, Kansas with her husband Mark, son Carter, and daughter Allie, all of whom are Husker fans as well. She spends her free time running kids to activities and watching their sporting events. She enjoys walking their energetic dog, Ginger, and is finally learning how to play golf.
Janelle grew up in Nebraska and is a life-long Husker fan. She lives in Olathe, Kansas with her husband Mark, son Carter, and daughter Allie, all of whom are Husker fans as well. She spends her free time running kids to activities and watching their sporting events. She enjoys walking their energetic dog, Ginger, and is finally learning how to play golf.
Mark Stuempel, P.E., PTOE
Senior Engineer / Co-Owner
Mark is a co-owner of Merge Midwest and is primarily responsible for financial planning and accounting for the firm. He has 20+ years of experience in the traffic engineering field and has been involved in design and project management. Technical expertise includes traffic signing, pavement marking, temporary traffic control, and noise impact studies. Mark received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, and is a nationally certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE).
Mark is a life-long resident of Kansas City, Kansas. He enjoys being active, whether that’s working on projects around the house or participating in a variety of sports. When traveling, he prefers old highways and backroads, visiting small towns and locally-owned small businesses. Camping in the Rocky Mountains is an annual tradition of his.
Mark is a life-long resident of Kansas City, Kansas. He enjoys being active, whether that’s working on projects around the house or participating in a variety of sports. When traveling, he prefers old highways and backroads, visiting small towns and locally-owned small businesses. Camping in the Rocky Mountains is an annual tradition of his.
Lee Baer, P.E.
Senior Engineer / Co-Owner
Lee is a co-owner of Merge Midwest and is primarily responsible for design and project management for the firm. He has 8+ years of experience in the traffic engineering field and has been involved in design, project management, and traffic studies. Technical expertise includes traffic signing, pavement marking, temporary traffic control, and lighting. He has always been involved with his community, previously holding positions on the City of Louisburg, KS Planning Commission and as a City Councilman. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Kansas.
Lee moved to Louisburg, Kansas with his family in 2012. He is married to Heather and they have two boys, Landon and Hudson. Most of his time outside of work is taken up by Heather and the boys, whether it is family vacations or sports, they stay busy. Lee has been involved with athletics most of his life and is now involved with coaching, fitness, and Jiu Jitsu.
Lee moved to Louisburg, Kansas with his family in 2012. He is married to Heather and they have two boys, Landon and Hudson. Most of his time outside of work is taken up by Heather and the boys, whether it is family vacations or sports, they stay busy. Lee has been involved with athletics most of his life and is now involved with coaching, fitness, and Jiu Jitsu.
Jason Fine
Senior Design Technician
Jason is a Senior Design Technician who is primarily responsible for traffic engineering. He has 16+ years of experience in the traffic engineering field and has been involved in design and traffic studies. Technical expertise includes traffic signal, signing, pavement marking, temporary traffic control, and lighting. Jason received his Engineering Technician Certification from the Northwest Kansas Technical College.
Jason lives in and grew up in Spring Hill, Kansas. He is married to Kristi and they have two children, Hunter and Charli. Jason is an avid outdoorsman, he loves to hunt, fish, and experience nature.
Jason lives in and grew up in Spring Hill, Kansas. He is married to Kristi and they have two children, Hunter and Charli. Jason is an avid outdoorsman, he loves to hunt, fish, and experience nature.
Michael Hare, P.E., PTOE
Senior Engineer
Michael is a senior engineer at Merge Midwest and is primarily responsible for project management and traffic studies for the firm. He has 12+ years of experience in traffic engineering and transportation planning, including traffic impact studies, corridor studies, transportation management plans (TMP), and interstate access justification. He is proficient in the use of Synchro, SimTraffic, Sidra, Highway Capacity Software (HCS), and VISSIM traffic modeling programs. Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He is a registered professional engineer in Kansas and Missouri and is a nationally certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE).
Michael grew up in Lenexa and now lives in Overland Park with his family. He is married to Erin, and they have two children, daughter Everly, and son Lincoln, all of whom are Wildcat fans. Much of his time outside of work is occupied by his family, whether is going on walks or finding a new playground for his active kids that are always on the move.
Michael grew up in Lenexa and now lives in Overland Park with his family. He is married to Erin, and they have two children, daughter Everly, and son Lincoln, all of whom are Wildcat fans. Much of his time outside of work is occupied by his family, whether is going on walks or finding a new playground for his active kids that are always on the move.
