Who we are

Leatherwood Engineering was founded to deliver expert consulting, project management, and design solutions for the transmission and distribution power line industry. Our team brings over 80 years of combined experience across public utilities, private developers, and consulting firms — offering practical insight and technical expertise to help clients achieve their project goals.

We understand the challenges faced by both smaller utilities working within tight budgets and larger organizations requiring strict compliance with industry standards. By blending seasoned engineering experience with an approachable, collaborative style, we develop solutions that are smart, efficient, and grounded in real-world success.

At Leatherwood Engineering, we don’t just provide services — we build partnerships. We listen, we adapt, and we work alongside our clients to deliver results that stand the test of time.

Sign for Leatherwood Engineering outside a modern building with glass windows and a landscaped yard.

Our Values

  • Close-up of hands holding jewelry pliers and tweezers, working on a small light blue bead, in a jewelry-making process.

    Craftsmanship

    We approach every project with the care and precision of skilled craftsmen, delivering solutions that are durable, practical, and built to serve.

  • View from inside a dark cave looking out towards bright sunlight shining through an opening.

    Integrity

    Honesty and transparency are the foundation of every relationship we build. We believe in doing what’s right — not what’s easy.

  • Silhouettes of four people talking inside a modern building with large windows overlooking a cityscape with tall buildings and cloudy sky.

    Partnership

    Our clients are more than customers; they are collaborators. We work side by side to develop solutions tailored to your needs, goals, and challenges.

  • A utility worker wearing a yellow safety helmet and harness working on electrical wires mounted on a utility pole against a blue sky.

    Expertise

    What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.With decades of experience across the power transmission and distribution industry, we bring seasoned judgment and technical excellence to every project.

  • A hand holding a colorful green and blue chameleon against a dark background.

    Adaptability

    No two projects are alike. We build custom teams, adjust to changing conditions, and stay focused on delivering what success demands — not just what’s convenient.

Looking up at leatherwood trees with twisted branches and green leaves against a bright blue sky with some white clouds.

Our Approach

At Leatherwood Engineering, we believe every project deserves a solution that fits — not one that’s forced. That’s why we take a flexible, client-centered approach: listening carefully, building project-specific teams, and applying strategic insight every step of the way.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all consulting. Whether providing owner’s engineering support, managing large-scale programs, or designing transmission and distribution systems, we focus on creating workable, efficient solutions that match your real-world needs — and your long-term goals.

Our partnership network of trusted industry specialists in load flow analysis, interconnection studies, station design, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar collection ensure you have access to the full range of expertise needed to drive your projects forward and provide the value that you need for specific tasks. No matter the challenge, we can build the winning team that you don’t have time to put together.

Accolades

In 1995, Leatherwood Engineering’s founder was working as a utility project engineer on one of the earliest commercial installations of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite crossarms for overhead power lines. Collaborating with the lead standards engineer at Snohomish PUD and Jim Bob Wiles, then owner of Lewtex, Inc., they developed and installed the first commercially developed FRP distribution tangent crossarms on a project in Bothell, Washington.

That installation marked a pivotal shift in utility infrastructure. The Lewtex pultruded FRP crossarms demonstrated their strength, durability, and resistance to environmental degradation in a real-world commercial setting. This breakthrough positioned FRP as a viable alternative to traditional wood and steel components—offering utilities a lightweight, corrosion-resistant solution that would eventually become an industry standard. Leatherwood’s early involvement placed the company’s leadership at the forefront of a material innovation that continues to influence modern T&D system design.

In 2014, Leatherwood Engineering’s founder again played a key role in shaping utility infrastructure by advancing the use of ductile iron (DI) poles for fire-resistant transmission construction in central Washington following a catastrophic wildfire. He also led DI pole installations at a rural electric cooperative in North Idaho, where low-maintenance alternatives to wood were critical to long-term reliability.

Working alongside engineers at McWane Poles, he contributed to significant improvements in their grounding and bonding systems—including the development of a gas-tight grounding solution that became part of McWane’s standard pole configuration. These enhancements helped strengthen the performance, consistency, and safety of DI pole systems in the field, while setting a new benchmark for utility-grade resilience.

A series of electrical transmission towers consulting.

History

History of Leatherwood Engineering.

Leatherwood Engineering was founded by Michael Dolan. Mike has over 40 years in the power line industry and has worked in both public and investor-owned utilities. He knows firsthand the technical challenges within the industry and the cultural and regulatory issues that often accompany the utility’s technical challenges. Inspired by a tradition of listening to clients and a deep respect for partnership, Mike and his team of experts collaborate with their clients to develop strong, practical solutions. Much like the durable leatherwood tree that can be used to create different bindings, wood tools and even known to yield a rare honey — the company was built on a simple concept: to provide flexible talent to combine technical excellence with genuine partnership to provide the best value solution.

Today, that spirit lives on in every project we undertake. From major utilities to private developers, Leatherwood Engineering continues to deliver results rooted in strength, flexibility, service, and pride in a job well done.

Contact us

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