Corporate Background
With over 25 years of professional experience, Gateway Science and Engineering’s multi-faceted services are customized for each project, providing clients with the best, qualified professionals and support personnel in the industry. Established in 1993 as a Local, Hispanic Small/Minority Business Enterprise, GSE is a full service firm dedicated to construction and engineering disciplines. GSE can assign either an individual or a comprehensive team utilizing various project delivery systems such as P3, Design Bid Build, Multi-Prime, Owner’s Authorized Representative, Construction Manager at Risk, and Design Build.
Management Team
Art M. Gastelum – President and Chief Executive Officer
Art M. Gastelum founded Gateway Science & Engineering Inc. (GSE) in 1993 and currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gastelum founded GSE after spending nearly 20 years in public service rising through the ranks in then Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley’s Administration until ultimately serving as Deputy Mayor of Economic Development. As Deputy Mayor, his duties included direct oversight of the Department of Water and Power as well as stewardship of the city’s long-standing diversity and outreach programs.
As President of GSE, Mr. Gastelum has over 20 years’ experience in the management of major projects across California. Under his guidance, GSE has grown from a small boutique firm to one of the most respected companies in Southern California. The total value of projects managed by GSE has exceeded over $55 billion dollars under Gastelum’s leadership.
In addition to his experience, Mr. Gastelum is a prominent philanthropist in the Los Angeles area having been honored by numerous organizations including the City and County of Los Angeles, the National Community College Hispanic Council, the Boys and Girls Club of San Fernando Valley, University of Southern California Alumni Association and the California State Assembly.
Mr. Gastelum is a proud graduate of the University of Southern California where he earned his Master’s in Public Administration. He is a member of the California Land Surveyors Association and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on many boards and corporate advisory committees including the Los Angeles Mission College Foundation and the USC Alumni Association.
Christine G. Valenzuela – Director of Operations
Christine Valenzuela is currently Director of Operations. Since joining GSE in 1996, Ms. Valenzuela began her career at GSE as a Project Coordinator and has risen through the ranks to assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of GSE.
While serving as Director of Operations, Ms. Valenzuela is directly responsible for the high quality and professional staff employed by GSE. Ms. Valenzuela has staffed hundreds of projects and it is because of her keen eye for talent that GSE has grown into one of the most sought after firms in Southern California.
Prior to her role at GSE, Ms. Valenzuela began her career as an intern under former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. She also served as a Senior District Representative to the California State Legislature.
Ms. Valenzuela is a graduate of California State University Los Angeles and also holds a State of California Realtor’s License.
George Castillo, PE – Director of Construction Management and Municipal Services
George Castillo has served as the Director of Construction Management and Municipal Services for Gateway Science and Engineering since 2013. In that capacity, Mr. Castillo is responsible for fostering GSE’s core business sectors and key corporate alliances. He also oversees GSE’s ongoing construction and engineering projects as well as project staffing and development.
With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Mr. Castillo has served as both an executive and as an engineer in various capacities throughout his career. His project experience includes oversight of expansions at the Port of Los Angeles, managing and overseeing the engineering aspects of the LAX Tom Bradley Terminal renovation, coordinating the inspection and utility teams for METRO and LADOT as well as all traffic control plans utilizing MUTCD.
Mr. Castillo is a Professional Civil Engineer, earned his Master’s Degree in Strategy and Finance from the University of Southern California and his undergraduate degree in Civil/Structural Engineering from California State University Northridge. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Construction Management Association of America.