Made possible through a landmark gift by the Weill Family Foundation, the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences leverages UCSF’s bench-to-bedside excellence.
Designed a new building of 158,000 square feet to house a crime lab for the County.
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 2007
B.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2006
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5943
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 75002
My high school physics teacher, Doc Michaels, and grandfather, Harold Holman. Doc Michaels was an incredibly dynamic and a bit eccentric teacher who first exposed me to statics and dynamics and how you could calculate how long it would take a bowling ball to fall from the top of our high school gymnasium. My grandfather was a lifelong contractor who let me tag along and help out on many small projects around his house. I even asked my parents to call me “Little Harold” for a couple years.
I lived in Plzen, Czechoslovakia as a kid for a year while my parents started an English speaking school.
What’s your favorite way to get to work?
2007 Vespa LX150
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1996
M.Eng., Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1999
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 4857
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 62486
I was always fascinated by construction growing up and new that I wanted to be involved in building big things. Originally, I thought I would go into the construction side of the industry. However, at some point in college I became more interested in how buildings worked and were designed at which point I determined structural engineering was the best way for me to contribute to the industry.
I enjoy suffering through 100 mile long bicycle rides.
Bicycle.
B.S., Civil Engineering with Honors, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2000
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. S5083
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. C64989
TN, Professional Engineer, License No. 6419
I had always been interested in how things are put together. My mom tells a story of how I took apart a clock when I was 3 or 4 to see how it worked inside. So, I was probably always destined to be an engineer. I chose structural engineering specifically because the scale of buildings and bridges interested me more than things electrical and mechanical engineers work on. I picked when I was a senior in high school and have found myself loving it more and more with each passing year!
I feel like our dog is my master, rather than I being his.
Walk along the Embarcadero.
M.S., Civil Engineering: Structural Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, 2009
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2007
CA, Civil Engineer, 77850
CA, Structural Engineer, 6196
My 1st birthday present was a horse. We named him Caution.
Green Bay Packers.
B.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2007
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2008
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5946
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 75942
LEED Accredited Professional
Heading into college, engineering was always something that I was interested in. My father was a small residential contractor and the idea of using math and science to design and build real world structures seemed like a lot of fun. One of my first engineering classes we got to crush concrete and pull apart samples of different materials to understand their properties. I was hooked after building a concrete canoe and applying these material principles I learned in class to compete against other schools in the ASCE conference.
I may have gone to culinary school if my preferred college choice, UCSD, didn't pan out. Instead I now watch cooking competitions and live vicariously through the chefs.
Deep down it will always be the San Diego Chargers football team. A piece of me left when they moved to LA.
M.S., Architectural Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2010
B.S., Architectural Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2009
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 6428
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 80692
Structural engineering allows me to use the creative side of my brain along with the analytical. Designing structural details can be similar to art, you have to think about how all the components go together, but then you get to use physics and math to back it up. Also, I love seeing my designs get built!
I wanted to be an artist, even took some college level art classes, until I was 16 but then decided I should switch to engineering because I like my math and physics courses so much
I would travel around the world! My husband and I try to visit another country each year (depending on the pandemic) and most recently went to India and Croatia.
M.S., Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2009
B.S. Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2008
WA, Structural Engineer, License No. 51786
WA, Professional Engineer, License No. 51786
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 83735
When I finished high school, I knew two things: I liked math and I liked being outside, so engineering seemed like the natural fit. I chose structural engineering which currently keeps me in the office 99% of the time, so my vision wasn't quite right, but as I grow older, I appreciate working on engaging work while sipping a warm cup of coffee or tea from the comfort of my desk.
Living by the ocean, where there are waves, has had a great influence on my professional career path. Warm weather is a close second. The result is integrating work-life balance while being passionate about my career and professional development.
All bands in which Thom Yorke plays, Olafur Arnalds, and Fat Freddy's Drop.
B.S., Environmental Science, Willamette University, 1999
Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM)
Fellow, Society for Marketing Professional Services (FSMPS)
Like many marketing and business development professionals, I fell into it. I always planned to attend law school. I had a friend who was working an internship for an architectural firm. When the architect decided to make the position permanent, she recommended me for the job. I started out sorting 35mm slides and worked my way up, learning along the way. Why have I stayed in the A/E/C industry? I like the people, I appreciate their passion, and I want to help them achieve their strategic dreams.
I am a published poet.
What were you going to be when you grew up?
A ballerina, a teacher, a lawyer, a trophy wife – it changes day to day.
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Washington, 2007
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2004
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5965
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 76269
WA, Structural Engineer, License No. 48423
Problem solving has always been a good fit for me, and in school I loved working in a field where we can touch the materials that we’re working with. Being entrusted with solving problems in the buildings where people live and work and run their businesses is a privilege.
I got to ride my bike alongside Robin Williams for a short stretch. He was funnier than I could ever hope to be, and it turns out he could ride faster too.
By bike – especially on a Tuesday night in the summer passing by Lake Union.
B.A., Physics and Math, Vassar College, 2007
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Dartmouth College, 2008
M.S., Structural Engineering, Stanford University, 2010
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 80867
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 6376
LEED AP
I took a circuitous route to get here from fashion designer to pre-med to management consultant to mechanical engineer and finally structural engineer. Though it took me a while to get here it makes me even more certain I’m in the right place. It’s the perfect combination of technical background, creative problem solving, teamwork, and big picture impact that I crave!
I’m working on hiking the high points in all 50 states and I summited Wyoming’s with my twins in my belly!
I’d open a bakery/coffee shop
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 1994
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1995
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 4522
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 57348
AZ Structural Engineer, License No. 42908
LEED Accredited
I knew I wanted to be some type of engineer because of my love for science and math. I was determined not to become a civil engineer since my Dad is one. I started as a Mechanical Engineering major but quickly determined that it wasn’t for me and alas, switched to civil (structural) engineering since those classes interested me more.
Both of my parents have large families (my Dad has 8 siblings and my Mom has 7) which resulted in 40 first cousins for me. Growing up it was fun to have so many playmates. I am still close to many of my cousins and enjoy spending time with them.
Golden State Warriors.
B.A., International Relations, University of San Diego
The recession of the early 1990’s meant I was going to lots of Informational interviews without any full time job offers. A small civil engineering firm out in Clayton, CA hired me for my first full-time position. Half-time Marketing and Half-time Office Assistant. I was promoted to Marketing Coordinator one year later. Since 2001, I’ve worked in Business Development for Structural Engineering, MEP Engineering, and one large General Contractor.
During my college years in San Diego, I played in two original rock bands and made a run at trying to become a rock star. I learned many of my grass root Marketing skills from this experience.
Hollywood Stunt Man.
I met someone who worked in commissioning and after asking a lot of questions they advised that I join the industry. I followed that advice and joined an MEP firm and then, when I moved to San Diego in 2022, I joined Degenkolb.
I moved to San Diego to help my sister out while her husband was deployed with the Navy and then decided to never leave.
Golf. Truth be told I already golf, but I would spend more time and money doing it, if available.
I love that there is tangible evidence of a job well done. There's no better feeling than driving by a building or structure that you helped create.
I spent most of my childhood working on our family farm in Central California. There are a lot of parallels between farming and construction and I can appreciate how challenging it is to build something from the ground up.
Stanford Cardinal. All right now!
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1987
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1989
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 3968
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 48086
I grew up working construction in my father’s business. He relentlessly insisted I not “do what he does and ruin your body AND that I go to college”. And so I did, and Structural Engineering was what came most naturally.
I enjoy boating and tinkering on projects at our ‘family’ cabin at Shasta Lake.
Vegetarian.
Reuse is a hobby, and it’s not hoarding.
Salvage/Reuse Company.
M.S., Structural Engineering – University of California, Berkeley, 1994
B.S., Civil Engineering – University of California, Berkeley, 1992
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 4510
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 57543
CA, Professional Engineer, License No. 78302
I have one of the most enviable Degenkolb client’s around, as a project manager, I oversee work for the Constellation Brands.
I studied and practiced Chinese Calligraphy since I was 5, and wanted to be a painter when I grew up. Then I decided to be a structural engineer when I was 16 years old.
If money weren't the issue, I'd like to visit and eat at every Michelin star restaurant around the world, of course, with wine paring.
We design and seismically strengthen buildings where Nobel-prize-winning researchers change the course of medical history and where technology companies change the course of business. Like our clients, we understand the demands of creating the next new technology, and have pioneered the use of innovative technologies. We understand that technology and research methods are constantly changing, and we design change-responsive research and development facilities that promote life safety, enhance energy performance, and meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
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