History
The history of James E. Forst & Associates goes back to a small garage in Louisville’s west end, where a young Jim Forst helped develop plates and mimeographs for his father’s photo offset printing business. Jim’s love for building things – bicycles, treehouses, printing plates – was nurtured and encouraged by his dad, a machinist at Phillip Morris.
A proud graduate of both St. Xavier High School and Bellarmine University, Jim worked at architectural engineering firms throughout Louisville, before launching his own company in 1983. Jim set out to establish a new firm to compete in the Kentucky-Indiana region: a full-service consulting firm providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering design under one roof. He also envisioned a workplace where high-performing engineers could do fulfilling work, while also prioritizing their families and their lives.
For more than four decades, Jim has guided the firm to continued growth and stability and has built a reputation for customized MEP design with quality results, reliable service, and a deep knowledge base. Today, the firm has successfully designed thousands of new buildings and renovations both regionally and nationally (30+ states) across a variety of industries including commercial, governmental, industrial, educational and multi-family residential buildings.
After graduating from Assumption High School and while pursuing her Engineering Degree from University of Dayton, Susan Forst Mersch, Jim’s daughter, first joined the firm as a co-op during college. After nearly a decade designing major appliances and leading teams at the start of her career, Susan made a shift to the consulting side of engineering in 2008, joining Forst & Associates as vice president of mechanical engineering.
In 2022, Susan became the majority owner & operator of James E. Forst & Associates, making the company a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE); and one of the only women-owned, MEP engineering firms in Kentucky.
Mission
Engineer high-quality, efficient, cost-effective designs that optimize mechanical and electrical systems, creating safe, functional and comfortable spaces.
Values
Team First
We believe relationships - with our colleagues, partners, clients and prospects - are the key to our success.
Design excellence
We apply human-centric design principles. We consider how design decisions impact the way people operate in and experience a space.
solutions-oriented
We use our expertise and experience to help our clients overcome obstacles and find the best design solution. We are responsive and reliable.
FUNCTIONALITY-FOCUSED
We have an eye for the details and counsel our partners accordingly. We carefully engineer the right design, using the right materials that are right for the space.
efficiency-minded
We are good stewards of the environment and make choices that are efficient or eco-conscious whenever possible. We don’t waste time, resources, or opportunities.
Socially responsible
We are good corporate citizens and seek out purpose-driven projects that allow us to give back to our local community and beyond.
Contact Us
We are always looking for new business partners and exciting projects. Contact us today to discuss upcoming MEP needs.
Meet the Team
principal & President
Mechanical Engineering
Susan (Forst) Mersch, P.E., LEED AP
Susan focuses on various mechanical systems to provide optimal comfort to occupants while delivering maximum value to the building owner. Susan has expertise in both renovation and new construction. She earned her LEED Associate Professional designation in 2011 and strives to incorporate energy-efficient solutions wherever possible. Susan also holds a SixSigma Black Belt certification, which systematized her natural penchant for identifying, diagnosing and fixing problems.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON - Bachelor of Chemical Engineer, 1999 (Cum Laude)
E.I.T. (Ohio), 1999
P.E. (Kentucky), 2011
founder & vice-president
Mechanical Engineering
James E. Forst, P.E.
With his wealth of experience in both design and construction, Jim provides creative engineering solutions to even the most puzzling problems. Practicing engineering since the middle of the modern environmental movement in America, Jim finds ways to incorporate energy-saving components into projects as a standard design practice, as it is ingrained in his process.
Education
BELLARMINE COLLEGE - B.A. Mathematics, 1972
E.I.T. (Kentucky), 1981
P.E. (Kentucky), 1982
Awards & Affiliations
