Past Industry Advisory Council Members

Michael Cochran, SE

Vice President - Thornton Tomasetti

Michael Cochran has an extensive background in new building design and seismic retrofit and renovation of existing buildings. For more than 20 years, Michael has been an active member of the California engineering community. He has also been an active member on various American Institute of Steel Construction committees. Michael recently served on Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s seismic safety task force and contributed to the development of “Resilience by Design,” a report which addressed the city’s greatest vulnerabilities from earthquakes and offered recommendations for improving seismic preparedness.

Michelle Jones

Senior Vice President & Managing Principal - RIM Architects

Michelle Jones, Cal Poly graduate from the School of Architecture is the Managing Principal of RIM Architects San Francisco office.   She started her career in an Engineering/Architecture firm in the Bay Area for several years as an Architect integrated closely with Structural engineers with an engineering focus.   She later transitioned in her career with RIM in their Guam office working in diverse markets including Hospitality and Retail coupled with Military design.   14 years ago, she ‘came back home’ to the Bay Area and started RIM’s San Francisco office with a Retail focus.   Since its inception, RIM’s office has developed into a firm with focus in the Commercial market with Design/Build delivery as its primary delivery process.   Michelle is also a certified Interior Designer with NCIDQ.  She is active in CREW (Commercial Real Estate for Women), SAME and DBIA.

Bryan Seamer, SE

Associate Principal, Director of Structural Engineering 

Bryan Seamer is the Managing Director of LPA’s structural and seismic engineering group. Bryan has over 19 years of experience in the design of new buildings, renovations and seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings. He is responsible for the day to day efforts of the Structural Engineering team at LPA and leads in the organization of the team which includes staffing, business development and operations.  He is passionate about using emerging technologies and innovative design strategies to create safer and more cost effective built environments and sustainable resilient communities.  Bryan holds engineering degrees from both the University of Southern California and Cal State Long Beach and is a licensed engineer in California, Washington, Texas and Minnesota.  Bryan also serves as President of the LPA Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support integrated sustainable design through education and research.

Donna Clandening

Principal, Director – Marketing

With over 25 years of experience in the business development, marketing, public relations, engineering and project management sectors of the A/E/C industry, Donna joined AC Martin as the Director of Marketing in 2007, and is currently a Principal with the firm and a member of the firm’s executive management team. As the marketing director, she has strategically developed marketing plans, reinforced public relation outlets, and has strengthened and developed new business contacts for the firm.  With a hands-on background in the design and construction of projects, Donna works closely with the leadership of the firm to create new avenues for market growth and business development; and helps to guide and develop all specific project pursuit strategies.  Donna received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and has been a past board member of the Society of Marketing for Professional Services and the Asian American Architects and Engineers Association of Southern California.  She currently sits on the Santa Monica Unified School District’s Measure BB Advisory Committee.

Shawna Peterson, PE

structural Engineer at Arup

Shawna is a structural engineer at Arup in San Francisco.  She graduated from the Architectural Engineering program at Cal Poly and then obtained her masters in structural engineering at Stanford University. She now resides in the bay area, where she spends her free time hiking local trails, playing beach volleyball, and exploring the diverse and culturally rich city of San Francisco.

Abe Lynn

Associate - Degenkolb Engineers

Abe is an Emeritus faculty after retiring as a professor and former department head with 18 years in the ARCE department. He is now an associate in Degenkolb Engineer's Oakland office. While continuing to mentor younger engineers as a manager, he also specializes in advanced analysis of hospitals and high-rise structures, seismic strengthening, reinforced concrete and forensics, to name a few. He and his family live in Oakland, not far from the small town he grew up in.

Michael Parolini, PE, SE

Managing Partner & Principal Structural Engineer at SSG Structural Engineers

Mr. Parolini is a California licensed civil and structural engineer. His practice covers all aspects of structural engineering; including the markets of education, military, municipal, commercial, residential, non-building structures, rehabilitation, historical and institutional buildings of steel, concrete, timber and masonry construction. His main focus remains on interesting Municipal, Military and Education projects.  Mr. Parolini is a part-time lecturer with the Architectural Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He has also presented his technical paper on the use of Heavy Timber Braced Frames in High Seismic Risk Regions at the annual Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) conference proceedings.  He has co-authored a paper for the ASCE National Forensic Conference on Rain Induced roof collapses as well.  Michael lives in San Luis Obispo, CA with his wife Kelsey & Jack Russell Terriers; Bandit and Phoebe.

Steve Abernethy

consultant AND Independent director

Steve Abernethy co-founded SquareTrade in 1999 and led the company as its CEO and then Executive Chairman for 17 years until Allstate acquired SquareTrade in early 2017. SquareTrade disrupted the consumer electronics warranty industry, creating a leading consumer-rated protection service.  Steve now advises technology companies, currently serving on the board of directors of Autofi in San Francisco.  Prior to SquareTrade, Steve earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and worked as a management consultant at McKinsey in New York.  Prior to this, Steve earned his BS in Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly and worked as an engineer for several years at Arup in London and Los Angeles. 

Jennifer Hiatt, PE, SE

TrICAL CONSTRUCTION - Project manager

Jennifer graduated from the Cal Poly ARCE undergraduate program in 2005, and is a registered Civil and Structural Engineer in California. Jennifer started her career at MHP Structural Engineers in Long Beach where she gained experience in analysis and structural design for a variety of new construction and seismic retrofit projects. She also completed over 200 structural building evaluations and PML risk assessments using the scenario loss approach. In 2015, Jennifer switched gears and served as the Owner’s Rep for a major technology company on a large data center construction project in Oregon. Jennifer now works as a Project Manager for a real estate development company in Marina Del Rey specializing in multi-family dwellings and luxury residential homes. She and her husband enjoy traveling around the world, and savoring the many culinary delights that Los Angeles has to offer. 

Christopher Haight, SE

senior DISCIPLINE ENGINEER/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING - cOFFMAN ENGINEERS 

Christopher Haight is an internationally licensed structural engineer with more than 21 years of experience in design, seismic evaluation and retrofit, and construction. Christopher is well-versed in all major construction materials and methods, including concrete, steel, masonry, timber, energy dissipation, and tilt-up construction.  In addition to gaining most of his professional experience on the West coast, Chris spent 2 years working in New Zealand growing a structural engineering office and assisting in the earthquake recovery of Christchurch. Current responsibilities include managing the new and growing Coffman Newport Beach office. Christopher received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and is a registered Civil and Structural engineer in the states of California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Chris also holds licensure in New Zealand as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and is recognized as a licensed International Professional Engineer (IntPE).

Ron LaPlante, SE

supervising structural engineer - div. of THE state architect (dsa)

Ron LaPlante, S.E., is a Supervising Structural Engineer with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and is responsible for overseeing all structural plan review for schools in San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties.  He has been at the DSA for 12 years and served as the engineer responsible for promulgating the DSA structural amendments in 2013 and 2016 California Building Code.  He is active in building code development and is a member of the ASCE 7 Seismic Subcommittee.  Prior to joining DSA, Ron was a practicing structural engineer focused on seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings and new building design.  Ron earned a BS from Cal Poly Pomona and a MS from UC Berkeley.

Evan Reis

Reis consulting

Steve Patton, SE

ZFA STRUCTURAL - Senior associate

Steve Patton brings nearly 20 years of professional, building-related experience to his projects. His background includes construction with four years as a project manager, and 13 years total experience with structural design utilizing most major construction materials for higher education facilities, healthcare, commercial, office, and civic structures. Steven received his Bachelor’s degree from the ARCE program in SLO before obtaining his Master’s in Structural Engineering from Stanford.  He is California licensed civil and structural engineer and a senior associate at ZFA Structural Engineers where he has been influential in the establishment and management of the Silicon Valley office.  Steve is currently serving on ZFA’s Executive Committee as the firm’s Chief Technical Officer.  He and his wife Petra, an ARCE alum and their two children live in his hometown of Half Moon Bay. In the interest of supporting his community, Steve volunteers his time coaching as well as mentoring students through the Engineers Alliance for the Arts (EAA), the ACE Mentor Program (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) and has volunteered at Cañada College for the STEM Speaker Series to encourage and support students pursuing their education in STEM careers.

Elisa Suarez

Spacex

Marc Guberman, BA, MArch, MBA

Foster + partners - partner

Marc joined the New York office of Foster + Partners in 2008 and has since worked on a broad range of international projects.  In 2011 he relocated to California to set up Foster + Partners’ office in San Francisco, where he is currently based, working on the design and construction of Apple’s new campus. He is deeply committed to innovation in design, science and technology and is interested in how an organization’s unique structure and culture is reflected in its building design.

Margaux Burkholder, SE

englekirk

Margaux Burkholder joined Englekirk in 2010 following her tenure at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly, SLO) where she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Architectural Engineering. She is a licensed structural engineer with 8 years of design experience including high-rise and performance-based design, seismic retrofit and rehabilitation, multi-family residential, commercial, mixed use, and retail.

One of her recent projects include the $234 million County of Los Angeles Hall of Justice Seismic Retrofit and Parking Structure. The project turned the red tagged 14-story, 1925 Hall of Justice into new office space for the LA Sheriff’s Headquarters as well as adding a 1,000-car parking structure. Margaux executed the project from start to finish with her team. Currently, she is working on the $2.5 Billion and 1.5 million square foot Century Plaza project involving the renovation of the existing 16-story historic Century Plaza Hotel and addition of two 46-story residential towers. Margaux has been the project lead for the seismic retrofit of the hotel and an integral part of the project’s success.

Margaux was selected as a Young Practicing Engineer by the American Concrete Institute where she presented the Hall of Justice Seismic Retrofit and Parking Structure at the 8th International Workshop on Structural Concrete in the Americas and Beyond. She is also an active member of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California and sits on the Women in Structural Engineering Committee. She is also a member of the National Association of Women in Construction.

A personal passion for Margaux is the fostering of young students’ interest in the design and construction industry. As a result, she is a mentor for the ACE Mentor Los Angeles program whose mission is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. She also sits on the Advisory Board for the Structural Engineering Department at Cal Poly, SLO which helps to guide the future of the curriculum and helps prepare the future college graduates for success in the industry.

Steve Pelham, SE, F. SEAOC

barrish-pelham

Steve brings over 40 years of professional service to the Sacramento AEC community with 37 years at Barrish Pelham & Associates, Inc., now Degenkolb Engineers. Steve’s current role as Senior Principal includes mentoring the next generation of Sacramento-office leadership and providing project oversight on healthcare and forensics projects. Steve has broad expertise from design of new multi-story structures to the seismic retrofitting of registered historic buildings. In addition to an extensive resume of modernization and new school construction for dozens of school districts, Steve has extensive experience in investigating and resolving construction disputes and is often called upon as an expert witness. Steve is a proud graduate of California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and a former Advisory Board Member. He has served in numerous industry leadership positions throughout his career and was elected to the Structural Engineers Association College of Fellows in 2005 in recognition of his professional accomplishments.

Matt Melcher

lionakis

Randy Collins

Ftf engineering

Liz Mahlow

Nous engineering

Liz Mahlow is a founding partner at Nous Engineering, based in Los Angeles. She is a licensed engineer with over 13 years of professional experience in the construction industry, focusing on high-rise concrete construction, seismic design and special structures. She has managed large-scale, fast-track projects within the US and internationally. Through her structural engineering practice, she has worked to strengthen collaboration and diversity among practitioners in order to create best possible solutions for the project and community. Projects include large hospital campuses and schools in Africa to affordable housing in her Los Angeles community, emphasizing seismic design and client education of building performance outcomes. As adjunct faculty at Woodbury University, she taught multiple lecture and studio courses with an emphasis on collaboration between architectural intent and structural performance. She currently is Vice President of Development of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design. Liz received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Dirk Bondy has been a practicing engineer since 1989. His profession interest and expertise is in the area of post-tensioned and reinforced concrete, steel, seimic design, seismic retrofit and vertical load retrofit. In addition to his structural. He has also been published in numerous journals and conference proceedings. He is a registered Civil and Structural Engineer in the states of California, Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona, as well as a licensed contractor in the state of California.

JConsuelo Crosby, PE

vp of business development - stemkids, llc

Consuelo Crosby has over 25 years experience in Urban Engineering Design and Project Management, Consuelo's strength of envisioning the building system, details and construction efficiency facilitates the progress of construction, diminishing time delays while increasing profitability. Consuelo is Co-Founder of Nerdynista.com, a source site for women where STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) meets Style. Nerdynista sets it purpose on encouraging women to persevere in global innovation STEMing from their feminine intellect and outward presence.

Bill Radar, PE, SE

vice president - buehler & buehleR

Bill Rader is a Vice President and Engineering Manager for Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers, Inc. In 2001, he opened the Roseville location and continues to manage and oversee production for this branch office. With 31 years of structural design experience, he has been involved in all phases of the design and construction process. He has a broad background and working knowledge of all material types. His project experience includes single and multi-level office buildings, medical facilities, K-12 schools and universities. Bill is also a member of SEAOC and served two years on the SEAOCC exam committee.

Sarah Storelli

external relations lead - smarter cities, collaboration solutions and smarter workforce, ibm

Sarah is a communications and marketing professional with four years of experience in developing successful domestic and global programs for Fortune 25 global technology corporation - IBM - and Fortune 500 and leading B2B ad tech and data storage technology companies, including: NetApp, YuMe, IO Data Centers, VMware, and SilverTail Systems. She has obtained seven years of experience in developing Higher Education platforms and programs in order to advance the ultimate college (and post-college) experience for all students and alumni.

Jim Pappas

ViCE PRESIDENT & DISTRICT MANAGER - HENSEL PHELPS

Jim Pappas joined Hensel Phelps in 1990 with a B.S. in Architectural Engineering (Construction Management) and is currently based in San Jose as the Vice President and District Manager of the Northern California District. After beginning with Hensel Phelps, Jim quickly rose through the ranks of Field Engineer, Office Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, and Operations Manager. In addition to his work with the Architectural Engineering Advisory Board at Cal Poly, Jim is actively involved in many industry organizations including the Associated General Contractors, Design-Build Institute of America, and the Board of Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Jim is also an advocate for collaborative partnering, and serves on the Board of the International Partnering Institute and the San Francisco Partnering Steering Committee for the City and County of San Francisco. Having been a part of more the $5 billion of construction projects, Jim has seen the value that partnering can provide, and the benefits of working together as a team. Away from the office, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and son. Combining their love of sports with their love for travel, Pappas family adventures often include snow skiing, jet skiing, boating, and golf.

Paul Kovach

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL - WJE

Practice areas include: Prepurchase Surveys, Structural Investigation, Roofing and Waterproofing, Repair and Rehabilitation Design, Leakage Investigation, Earthquake Engineering, Construction Claims Evaluation, Facade Assessment

Jan Dougalas, SE

ASSOCIATE - KPFF

Jan Dougalas is an Associate with the Los Angeles Structural Division of KPFF. With over 25 years of design and construction experience, she fosters new leaders and helps to refine the skills of the next generation of structural engineers. Jan brings tenacity and focus to the multifaceted design and construction industry, where she flourishes in the team environment.

Geoffrey Neumayr, SE

DEPUTY AIRPORT DIRECTOR, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION - SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SFO)

Neumayr is the Deputy Airport Director at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and sits on the Industry Advisory Board for Cal Poly's Architectural Engineering program.

John "Trailer" Martin, SE

President - john a martin associates & structural engineers

Trailer Martin is a nationally recognized Structural Engineer with more than 40 years of experience in the design and construction of large-scale, complex structures in seismically active areas. Highly regarded for his technical expertise, Trailer serves on a variety of seismic review boards, task forces and oversight committees, including appointments for the Cal State University and University of California educational systems. He has also held numerous positions, including two terms as Board Chairman of the State of California’s Hospital Building Safety Board.

John Edmiston

cAL POLY ARCE, EMERITUS FACULTY

John Edmiston is an Emeritus Faculty Member at Cal Poly.

Michelle Kam-Biron, PE, SE, SECB

Director of Education - American Wood Council

Michelle Kam-Biron is a California licensed structural engineer and Director of Education for the American Wood Council (AWC) where she is expanding continuing education resources for architects, engineers, and building officials as well as coordinating the development of university level wood design course.  She earned a BS in Architectural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and has over 20 years of experience managing and designing a wide range of projects. She is a certified Earthquake Disaster Assessment volunteer, member of the International Code Council.  She serves on the NCSEA Basic Wood Education Committee and Continuing Education Committee as well as the ASCE-SEI Wood Education Committee.  She is current President of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California and is currently a volunteer on the Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo Architectural Engineering Industry Advisory Council.

Robert Newsom

AC Martin

Bob Newsom brings over 40 years of experience and leadership in the architectural profession to AC Martin.  Bob is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and past president of the Los Angeles Chapter.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Design Build Institute of America, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Southern California Architectural Guild, as well as Technical Advisory Panels for the Urban Land Institute. A registered architect in California, Arizona and Alaska, Bob received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona. 

Colin Blaney, SE

Executive Principal - ZFA

Colin brings more than 25 years of experience in structural engineering and design of community colleges, healthcare and correctional facilities throughout California and Washington. Colin is well engaged with the Structural Engineer’s Association of Northern California both within technical committees as well as leadership roles. From 2007-2010 Colin served as Chair of the SEAONC Existing Buildings Committee which is dedicated to both code development and interpretation of design provisions for existing buildings.  Colin has been on the Board of Directors for five years and is currently serving as past president to the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California. Colin also served as a delegate to the SB 588/DSA-CC Code Development Group on behalf of the Structural Engineers Association of California and was named as SEAONC Fellow in 2012.

Mark Sarkisian, PE, SE, LEED AP

Structural and Seismic Engineering Partner - SOM

Sarkisian is the structural and seismic engineering partner in SOM's San Francisco office. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut, where he is a Fellow of the Academy of Distinguished Engineers. He has designed more than 100 major building projects around the world, including: The U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the NBC tower in Chicago, the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, and the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait.

Luvelyn Benitez, SE

Hope-Amundson Engineering Associate

Luvelyn has been with Hope-Amundson since 2006. Her expertise includes research and development facilities, educational facilities, commercial office buildings, medical office buildings and manufacturing facilities. She is also a busy mom of two kids and enjoys visiting the Central Coast where she grew up.

Grace Kang

Senior Principal - Forell/Elsesser Engineers, INc.

Grace began at Forell/Elsesser in 1987 and is a Senior Principal with the firm. Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has focused on improving the quality of our built environment with good design. Her passion for quality design, concern for community wellbeing, and a desire to work closely with her clients results in carefully crafted and efficiently-designed buildings. Grace thrives in working closely with team members to balance project issues and constraints. Her approach to structural engineering focuses on satisfying the needs of the building as a whole, protecting its present and future occupants, and incorporating sustainable principles into project solutions. She is particularly interested in the interaction of a building structure with its other systems, with a focus on seismic sustainability and resiliency. Her project experience includes institutional, educational, healthcare, and multi-family housing structures.

Steve Schiller

President - John A. Martin & Associates of Nevada Inc.

During the last 14 years, since joining John A. Martin & Associates, Steve Schiller, S.E., has played an integral role in the company’s continued success and growth. His leadership skills have recently been recognized with his advancement to president of the company. As a professional structural and civil engineer with 23 years of experience, Schiller has been focused on the design of a variety of buildings, including buildings using steel, masonry, wood, and precast, post tensioned and mild reinforced concrete. The International Association of Iron Workers has recognized Schiller’s work for the advancement of steel construction. The breadth of his experience contributes to the quality of his projects by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the structural systems available and how they impact the owners, architects, consultants, builders and his team. Schiller’s more prominent engineering successes include some of Las Vegas’ most well-known landmarks, such as the Sunset Station hotel-casino, Bellagio resort, Wynn Las Vegas podium, Phases 1 and 2 of the World Market Center and the Caesars Palace Colosseum. Schiller is a licensed civil and structural engineer in Nevada and California and is also a licensed civil engineer in Oregon. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in architectural engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and his Juris Doctorate degree (cum laude) from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Rom Hamburger

Senior Principal and Head of Structural Engineering, Western Region - Simpson Gumpertz and Heger

Ron joined SGH in 2002 with more than thirty years of experience in civil and structural engineering; building design, investigation, and code development; and research. He is an internationally recognized expert in earthquake-resistant design and structural performance evaluation and is widely recognized in the structural engineering community for his leadership in performance-based design.

Kenneth D. O'Dell

Vice PResident & Partner - MHP Structural Engineers

Ken O’Dell is vice president and partner of MHP structural engineers, leading design groups working in a diverse range of projects including commercial office buildings, K-12 schools, higher education, big box retail, and multi-family housing projects. He is the partner in charge of staff resources and provides guidance on the firms corporate marketing efforts and business direction. He received his B.S in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly in 1989. He holds a Structural Engineering license in California and Oregon as well as professional engineering licenses in several other states. He is also an active member in several engineering organizations including SEAOSC, ASCE, AISC and ACI. With years of experience in the structural engineering field and a creative approach to business and design, he provides the firm with invaluable leadership in realizing creative solutions to meet clients' needs.

Maryann T. Phipps

President - Estructure, SE

Maryann Phipps has nearly 30 years of experience evaluating, designing and renovating buildings in California. She assists both public and private clients understand and address the risks associated with earthquake hazards. The mainstay of her practice is structural design related to hospital renovations. Maryann has been responsible for the design of replacement hospitals and medical office buildings, renovations to most acute care departments and seismic restraint of nonstructural components. She is professionally very active in the engineering community and is a Past President and Fellow of the Structural Engineers Association of California.

President/CEO - Brooks Ransom Associates

Rick Ransom has over 27 years of experience in the structural engineering field. Prior to joining W.M. Brooks, Inc. in 1983, he was Chief Structural Engineer and Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Fresno where he was responsible for the operation of the Structural Plan Check Division and the 65 member Inspection Division. Rick was appointed to Vice President at W.M. Brooks, Inc. in 1985 and the company became Brooks Ransom Associates in 1993 with Rick assuming the role of President in 1996. He currently manages the business, while maintaining close contact with many clients.

While Rick has done extensive design work in all areas of practice within the firm, he has more recently focused on the seismic study of Grandstands, forensic investigation and reporting, expert witness, and analysis and design for retrofit of Historic Structures. Rick is known by his clients to be the engineer-of-choice for specialized projects and difficult structural systems.

Joshua Moody

Nabih Youseff

Hayley Soderlund

Senior Project Engineer - E-L Construction

Rob Gayle

Associate Vice Chancellor - UC. Berkley, AIA

Ricardo Arevalo

Simpson Strong Tie

Mr. Arevalo is Vice President of Engineering for Simpson Strong-Tie. Originally hired for support, design and development of the Strong-Wall product line, he soon became involved with the research and improvement of many other lateral products. Prior to joining Simpson Strong-Tie, he was principal of his own engineering firm where he provided services in structural design, evaluations, rehabilitation and litigation consultation. His past experience also includes education as a part time instructor for timber design courses at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is the co-author of several articles on multi-tiedown systems and has made numerous technical presentations to organizations on Code changes & light frame topics. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a registered Structural and Civil Engineer in California.

Mike Botwin

Cal Poly Emeritus Faculty

Robert H. Desautels

Principal/CEO - ATi Architects & Engineers, PE, LEED AP

Bob Desautels founded ATI in 1989, and currently serves as its CEO.  Today, ATI is a statewide Architecture, Engineering and Design/Build Construction Company, with offices in Danville, Roseville, Redlands and Costa Mesa.  Focused on high-value delivery methods, the firm

provides turn-key integrated A&E design and construction services in highly complex markets including: education, biotech, manufacturing, defense, emergency response, telecommunications and infrastructure. For six years in a row, ATI was named one of the fastest growing business enterprises in the San Francisco bay area.  ATI has also twice been named to the Zweig-White Hot-100 list of A/E firms in the nation.  Prior to founding ATI, Bob was an engineering consultant to the nuclear power industry.  Bob received his Bachelor’s degree in ARCE from Cal Poly, SLO, in 1981.  He is an Accredited LEED Professional, a Licensed General Building Contractor, and a Licensed Professional Engineer.  As an owner and developer, Bob actively manages Real Estate investment projects in six different Counties.  Active in his community, he is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, and as President-Elect of the Rotary Club of San Ramon, California.

Cal Poly ARCE Emeritus Faculty

Degenkolb

Arup

Christopher Manning

Project executive - Overaa Construction

Chris Manning is Project Executive at Overaa Construction, a 102-year-old general contractor based in the East Bay. Chris joined Overaa in 1986 and has over 28 years of experience in the construction industry.  He is an expert in managing large, design build, multi-level projects.  As Project Executive, he oversees various award winning projects including parking structures, historic restorations, educational and industrial facilities.  Chris directs and manages projects for many of Overaa’s longstanding private clients.  Under his direction, UC Berkeley Underhill Parking Facility & Athletic Field – a $35 Million, LEED equivalent, 1,000-space, 380,000sf, 4- level parking facility – received the Award of Excellence in Categories II and V for the 2009

International Parking Awards – the highest honors a parking structure can receive.  Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  He is a member of the Design Build Institute of America.

David Mar, SE

Principal and Lead Designer - Tipping Mar

Since being named principal and lead designer in 2000, David Mar has continued in the firm’s long-standing tradition of well-crafted engineering solutions, while introducing an emphasis on creativity and exploration supported by practical, project-specific research.

David advocates early collaboration with architects and contractors to provide clients with the most cost-effective design solutions possible. Moreover, his focus on high-performance seismic and sustainable design has positioned Tipping Mar at the forefront of the green-building movement. His enthusiasm for innovation has fueled the expansion of his design repertoire from traditional steel, concrete, and wood construction to rammed earth, bamboo, straw bale, timber frame, and structural insulated panels.

David frequently lectures at the engineering departments of the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, and the Lean Construction Institute. He has published articles in numerous publications and has received many local and national awards in the areas of new construction, seismic renovation, and sustainable design.

David has practiced structural engineering for more than twenty years, having received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from UC Berkeley.

His work and research demonstrate his desire to provide a complete design product that is thoughtfully integrated with the project’s environment, accommodating long-term sustainability, seismic conditions, cost, and interdisciplinary design parameters.

Jonathan McMurty, AIA, LEED AP

Associate and Director of Design - Lionakis

Jonathan is an Associate and Director of Design for Higher Education Projects with the firm Lionakis, located in Sacramento, San Francisco, Orange, Modesto and Reno. He is also serving on the Cal Poly ARCE Advisory Council. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience in the

design, production, and construction administration of educational, commercial, and institutional facilities. His creative design abilities result in innovative, quality solutions that encourage learning and education. Jonathan is a LEED® accredited professional and dedicated to implementing sustainable design solutions. Jonathan received his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly in 1988.

kpff

Steve Pelham, SE, F. SEAOC

President - Barrish Pelham & Associates , INC.

Steve Pelham is president of Barrish Pelham & Associates, Inc. located in Sacramento, California.  Mr. Pelham, who received his B.S. in Architectural Engineering in 1976, does not hesitate to credit Cal Poly as "a great start to his engineering career both personally and professionally. The practice-based education combined with a fantastic alumni network opened many doors." He is a licensed engineer in six states and is certified through the SECB. Mr. Pelham is president-elect of the Structural Engineering Association of California and in the past has served as president for the Applied Technology Council and director for the Field Act Advisory Board.  He is also affiliated with the International Conference of Building Officials, SEAOCC Professional Practice Committee, SEAOCC Existing Buildings Committee and the American Concrete Institute.

Mr. Pelham established an engineering practice in 1981. Mr. Pelham is presently the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and also serves as a Principal in charge of numerous large structural and forensic engineering projects.

Mr. Pelham has been employed as a consulting engineer since 1976. He has acted as a project engineer, project manager, and construction administrator for hundreds of successful projects. As a general practitioner his background includes work in concrete, steel, masonry and timber structures. Projects have ranged from new multi-story structures to the seismic retrofitting of registered historic buildings. In addition to new and modernization construction, Mr. Pelham has extensive experience in investigating the cause and origin of property damage claims and structural failures.

Jonathan McMurty, AIA, LEED AP

Associate and Director of Design - Lionakis

Jonathan is an Associate and Director of Design for Higher Education Projects with the firm Lionakis, located in Sacramento, San Francisco, Orange, Modesto and Reno. He is also serving on the Cal Poly ARCE Advisory Council. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience in the

design, production, and construction administration of educational, commercial, and institutional facilities. His creative design abilities result in innovative, quality solutions that encourage learning and education. Jonathan is a LEED® accredited professional and dedicated to implementing sustainable design solutions. Jonathan received his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly in 1988.

Arthur E. Ross, SE, F. SEAOC, F. ASCE

President/CEO - CYS Structural Engineers, INC.

Arthur E. Ross leads a 45-year-old structural engineering firm that provides structural design of new structures, investigation of existing structures, seismic analysis and retrofit, plan checking and peer review to the public and private sector. Art received a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1966 and an M.S. in Civil-Structural Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1972. He has been very active in professional organizations, taking part on numerous committees, and serving as Board member and President of both the Applied Technology Council (ATC) and the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC). He has been recognized on several occasions for his contributions, including being honored by his peers with the designation of Fellow of the Structural Engineers Association of California and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Art has chaired and served on the Division of the State Architect Advisory Board, is currently an appointed member to the City of Sacramento Fire and Life Safety Board and is a Structural Engineer Member of the SB588 California Community College Alternative Process. He is a licensed structural engineer in California, Nevada and Washington.