Welcome to Dux, LLC, where we are "Leading with Expertise." Founded by Ryan Phillips, a seasoned construction professional with over 20 years of experience in the construction and claims industry, dux, LLC is driven by a deep appreciation for the art of building and the challenges facing construction and engineering professionals.

Our mission is to provide industry-leading consulting services, demonstrating our commitment to excellence, urgency, integrity, creative problem solving and authenticity. We offer a wide range of services catering to attorneys, sureties, insurance companies, general contractors, project owners, and lenders. Our extensive experience in handling a broad spectrum of construction and engineering claims and our unparalleled pedigree set us apart from the competition..

Thank you for considering dux, LLC for your construction consulting needs. We look forward to partnering with you on your next project.

• We operate with integrity: Integrity is the bedrock of our company. We believe that integrity is not just a value but a practice that defines our approach to business and drives our success.
• We demand excellence: We are committed to achieving excellence in everything we do. We strive for the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring that our work consistently exceeds expectations.
• We act with urgency: We always operate with a sense of urgency. We understand that time is a critical resource, and we are committed to acting swiftly and efficiently to meet the needs of our clients and partners.
• We are authentic: We are committed to maintaining an open and inclusive culture where every voice is heard and valued. We believe people perform at their best and make deeper connections when operating as their most authentic self.
• We are problem solvers: We pride ourselves on being exceptional problem solvers. We approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, leveraging our expertise, combined experience and creativity to overcome obstacles.

• CV of Ryan W. Phillips, PE, MSCE, CCM, CEP, PSP, EVP, LEED AP
  Ryan Phillips Bio
• CV of Peter D. Marxhausen, M.S., PE, F.SEI
  Peter D. Marxhausen Bio
• CV of Nicholas Bass, M.S., PE
  Nicholas Bass Bio

Ryan Phillips grew up in a rural town in Oregon’s picturesque Willamette Valley, alongside his younger sister and older brother. His father, a dedicated software engineer and tree farmer, is also a proud Vietnam War veteran who served in the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. Ryan’s mother, a vibrant immigrant from Ireland, spent over four decades as a registered nurse, instilling in Ryan the values of hard work and perseverance. From a young age, Ryan learned the importance of diligence through hands-on experiences—working on his family’s Christmas tree farm and timberland, delivering newspapers, taking on odd jobs, and fully immersing himself in the world of sports. After a transformative time at “baseball boot camp,” known as Lassen Junior College, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a Mechanical Specialty from the Colorado School of Mines, where he was a resident assistant, peer mentor, and baseball player, serving as an assistant coach after his playing days were over. Notably, Ryan is the last pitcher at the Colorado School of Mines to pitch a no-hitter which took place in his final collegiate game. Ryan still enjoys pursuing athletic endeavors, and while he does not recommend doing this, he has run a ½ marathon, marathon, and 21k Beast Spartan Race, without training

An innate builder at heart, Ryan has always found joy in creating—whether assembling Legos, crafting tree forts, or constructing buildings. After college, he pursued his passion for building by gaining valuable experience at a mid-sized commercial and residential construction firm in Colorado. This journey led him to an architecture, engineering, and construction firm, where he thrived for 14 years. There, he established and led a team of up to 20 consultants who analyzed construction claims and provided expert opinions in litigation. Ryan has delivered sworn testimony roughly 75 times in various legal settings and handled over a thousand construction-related claims of diverse scope and complexity. Furthermore, his role as a surety engineer at a leading surety bond provider involved analyzing contractor defaults and identifying and mitigating construction risks. In addition to his professional achievements, Ryan is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University

Outside of work, Ryan is a devoted father of four—Sawyer, Carson, Parker, and Chase—and a proud husband to his wife, Brenna. Their lively household keeps him on his toes, as do the numerous home improvement projects he swears will be completed next week. He enjoys attending live music events, sports, camping, working out, and cherishing family time

Peter Marxhausen was born in Amsterdam, New York, and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he developed a passion for athletics and the outdoors through soccer, wrestling, track, band, and scouting. In 1990, he moved to Colorado and attended Columbine High School, where he met his future wife, Lara (Bravo) Marxhausen. Together, they have raised four children—Luke, Nate, Lexi, and Cynthia—while maintaining an active lifestyle and leading high-adventure scout troops. Their dedication to scouting has been a family tradition, with Luke, Nate, and Lexi each earning their Eagle Scout awards

With a strong background in construction and engineering, Peter worked as a home inspector and for multiple construction companies while putting himself through school. He earned his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and completed his graduate studies at the University of Colorado Denver. Since 2007, Peter has been a non-tenure professor in the CU Denver College of Engineering, Design, and Computing, where he has mentored aspiring engineers. Currently serving as the Director of Forensic Engineering at dux Forensics, LLC in Denver, Peter specializes in forensic analysis, structural failure investigations, and expert testimony. Over his three-decade career, he has investigated more than 10,000 buildings and played a crucial role in structural rehabilitation, building code analysis, and construction defect evaluations

Beyond his professional achievements, Peter and Lara have made adventure a cornerstone of their lives. After a 31-year quest, they visited and traversed all 50 states. The last frontier, Alaska, checked the 50th box in the fall of 2024. Peter and Lara are now focused on exploring every U.S. National Park and all seven continents. A passionate outdoor enthusiast, Peter has completed multiple Evergreen Cycling Triple Bypasses, several century rides, and, in January 2025, achieved a 30-year goal of skiing every run and riding every lift in Colorado. Whether biking, hiking, SCUBA diving, via ferrata, ice climbing, or canyoneering, Peter embraces every challenge with the same dedication that defines his professional and personal pursuits

Nicholas Bass was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He earned his undergraduate and Master's degrees in Structural Engineering from the University of Colorado. Throughout his academic career, he became interested in investigating building failures and analyzing various structural systems. He specializes in forensic assessments and rehabilitation planning for structural damage from fire, vehicle impacts, and environmental forces. With a strong understanding of building codes and engineering standards, he takes pride in solving complex engineering problems while ensuring safety and client satisfaction

Beyond forensic engineering, Nicholas has experience working as a building engineer in multiple high-rise buildings throughout Denver, Colorado. In his building engineering career, he gained knowledge about different types of building systems, including large-scale refrigeration chillers and specialized HVAC systems. This hands-on experience reinforced his passion for the built environment and deepened his curiosity about the complexities of building and structural systems. He is driven to understand these challenges and develop solutions that create safer, more efficient spaces. His ability to solve engineering challenges and apply forensic investigations allows him to provide clients with practical, code-compliant solutions

Nicholas enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains with his wife and their two dogs outside of work. A lifelong learner and dedicated professional, he remains committed to advancing forensic engineering while prioritizing safety and client satisfaction in every project

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