Gabriel Donald Tumas was born on December 3rd, 1949, in Orange City, Texas, to working-class parents. His father, Albert Tumas, was a Baptist church pastor, and his mother, Elisabeth Tumas, worked as a hospital clerk.When Gabriel was four, his parents moved back to Europe to a small town in France called Les Cerfs-Volants de Dieppe, located about 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Paris. His father was originally from France, and his mother from Texas. Gabriel’s mother passed away 21 years after the family relocated, and his father died six years later.
Gabriel grew up in a middle-class household. In addition to pastoral work, his father also ran a modestly successful electrochemical factory. His mother managed the home, and Gabriel grew up alongside his younger sister Maria, who was born two years after him.
A gifted student in mathematics and physics, Gabriel applied to the Eidgenössische Polytechnische Schule (Swiss Federal Polytechnic School, later known as ETH Zürich) without holding the equivalent of a high-school diploma—a possibility granted to exceptional candidates who could pass the rigorous entrance exams. While he excelled in mathematics and physics, he struggled with German, chemistry, and biology.
Because of his outstanding math scores, the school allowed him to attend on the condition that he complete his formal secondary education. He enrolled in a special high school run by Jost Winteler in Aarau, Switzerland, and graduated in 1986.
Gabriel later earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. Before joining S-E-A, he spent eleven years working as a Project Engineer and Project Manager, assessing and managing water, wastewater, and raw-water infrastructure.
He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in France and in several U.S. states. He also holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. Gabriel is an active member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He also serves with Engineers Without Borders, acting as the Responsible Engineer-in-Charge of a sanitation project in Paris, France, and contributes as a member of the Project Management Standing Content Committee.
For the past 14 years, Gabriel has worked in the oil field as an oil-drilling contractor—a career he describes as both challenging and deeply rewarding. He looks forward to retiring in 2026 after completing a major contract with ExxonMobil.
Gabriel was married to a loving and remarkable woman, who sadly passed away on February 19, 2019. Though widowed, he reflects on a life filled with joy, purpose, and meaningful accomplishments.
He lives by one guiding belief:
“You should never, ever give up. You should always keep fighting—even when there’s only the slightest chance.”
Project Engineer and Project Manager assessing and managing water, wastewater, and raw water infrastructure.
Performs investigations to determine the extent and cause of damage to structural components, such as roof systems, fenestrations, and building envelopes, as a result of storm damage, water intrusion, and other phenomena.
Mr. Gabriel analyzes and investigates underground utilities, water and sewer systems, site grading and drainage, stormwater attenuation and conveyance systems, erosion, stormwater control during construction, water and wastewater treatment, and other civil engineering matters for design, construction, and maintenance-related issues.
He also provides inspection and consultation for plumbing, pipes, valves, pumps, and other hydraulic and fluid mechanics systems. He is experienced with 3D laser scanning technology for the collection and preservation of various investigation sites.
provides inspection and consultation for plumbing, pipes, valves, pumps, and other hydraulic and fluid mechanics systems. He is experienced with 3D laser scanning technology for the collection and preservation of various investigation sites.
analyzes and investigates underground utilities, water and sewer systems, site grading and drainage, stormwater attenuation and conveyance systems, erosion, stormwater control during construction, water and wastewater treatment, and other civil engineering matters for design, construction, and maintenance-related issues.
Performs investigations to determine the extent and cause of damage to structural components, such as roof systems, fenestrations, and building envelopes, as a result of storm damage, water intrusion, and other phenomena.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Diploma in Civil Engineering
Eidgenössische Polytechnische Schule (“Swiss Federal Polytechnic School”; in 1971
High School Degree
special high school run by Jost Winteler in Aarau, Switzerland, and graduated in 1979.
Hours Worked
Project Finished
Happy Clients
Coffee Drinked
