About

Our History

Neff & Associates is a full-service civil engineering firm that has shaped the development of Northeast Ohio for the past 80 years. We are constantly expanding our areas of service and expertise to meet our client’s needs. Please take a moment to browse the professional services we offer.

Neff & Associates was founded in 1939 as a Cleveland-area consulting, engineering, and surveying firm. Since our inception, we have provided engineering, planning, and surveying services to various private, semi-private, and municipal organizations. In 1994, we added landscape architecture to our ongoing list of services to offer a complete design repertoire.

With civil engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects working together under one roof, the result is a streamlined design process. We believe collaboration through all design phases is key to a successful project.

See how our company has grown and evolved over the years

Leadership Team

JEFFREY M. PLAUTZ, P.E.

President

Jeffrey M. Plautz, P.E. took over as President of Neff & Associates in January 2023. Mr. Plautz graduated from the University of Dayton and has worked on many projects over the past 20 years, including large commercial retail centers, industrial parks, lifestyle centers, and restaurants. He also has experience with public water mains, sewer mains, pump station facilities, and roadway improvements. Mr. Plautz has developed trusted relationships with developers and owners who need help navigating their projects through the approval process. He creates quality designs that offer value to an owner while satisfying city needs and requirements.

DANIEL J. NEFF, P.E.

CEO

Daniel J. Neff, P.E. is a graduate of the University of Dayton and a Professional Engineer licensed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Neff is the CEO of Neff & Associates, a third-generation firm providing services throughout northeast Ohio in the Engineering, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Architecture fields. Mr. Neff oversees all aspects of the business and is the firm’s acting Principal Engineer. In addition, Mr. Neff has been a partner in developing residential real estate across northeast Ohio over the last 10 years, which has allowed him to work with various government agencies as both an engineer and a developer.

EDWARD L. KEATON, P.E.

Vice President

Edward L. Keaton, P.E., a graduate of Cleveland State University, brings experience in the management of all design aspects for single and multi-phase residential, public housing, municipal and industrial projects. Ed has gained expertise from these projects in the areas of sanitary sewers, pump stations, storm sewers, water distribution systems, earthworks, storm water management and storm water pollution prevention. As Vice President , Mr. Keaton oversees Project Managers, numerous professional engineers, professional surveyors, technicians and support staff and is responsible for the day-to-day activities and supervision of the Engineering, Surveying and Land Planning Departments. In addition, he maintains close working relationships with clients and city/county officials enabling the design review and approval process of projects to proceed smoothly and efficiently.

Company Timeline

1939

Founding

Cyril Neff opens his own Civil Engineering & Surveying company in Cleveland, Ohio cementing the Neff name as a mainstay in the construction industry of Northeast Ohio for years to come.

January 1939

1958

Neff & Associates Partnership

Cyril Neff is joined by his son, Thomas J. Neff P.E, P.S., to form Neff & Associates Partnership and adding a second generation of Neff Engineers.

January 1958

1974

Development

Cyril & Thomas Neff incorporate the Firm as the business continues to grow, both within the Cleveland Area, and regionally.

January 1974

1994

Third Neff Generation

Daniel J. Neff, P.E., Thomas J. Neff Jr., P.S., and Timothy C. Neff purchase all assets, goodwill, and the name from Neff & Associates, Inc. Adding a third Neff generation to the engineering world.

January 1994

1999

High Quality Services

Daniel J. Neff, president of D.J. Neff Enterprises, Inc. obtains full ownership of the firm which continues doing business as Neff & Associates and performing the high quality services its customers have enjoyed since 1939.

January 1999