Performed a survey of city buildings to identify potential seismically vulnerable structures including non-ductile concrete and pre-Northridge steel moment frame buildings.
City of Santa Monica Hazardous Building Evaluation
The City of Santa Monica decided to update one of the most comprehensive seismic retrofit programs in Southern California. Degenkolb was selected to assist the city in surveying potential seismically vulnerable structures including non-ductile concrete and pre-Northridge steel moment frame buildings. The city used the data collected to make updates to their 1994 program which was approved by city council on April of 2017. The updated program is targeting the following buildings types:
- Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
- Concrete and Masonry Buildings with Flexible Diaphragms
- Wood Soft Story Buildings
- Non-Ductile Concrete Buildings
- Pre-Northridge Steel Moment Frame Buildings
Staff on the Project
Brett Cates
Associate
I've got six different methods of making coffee in my kitchen. I'm a ...
Daniel Zepeda
Office Director Senior Principal Working Group Leader
Daniel has worked at Degenkolb close to 20 years.
Gordy Wray
Principal
I took classes in Tractor Driving and Wilderness Survival while at ...
Loring Wyllie
Senior Principal
I enjoy world travel and spend many weeks a year in exotic and ...
Brett Cates
Associate
Seattle
- (206) 340-8117
- bcates@degenkolb.com
Education
B.S., Civil Engineer, University of Portland
M.S., Structural Engineering, UCLA
Why did you go into structural engineering?
I took a “Natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest” class in undergrad and thought the earthquake portion was fascinating.
Little Known Fact
I can play the trombone.
Question of the Day
What is your unusual talent?
I can juggle.
- B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Portland, 2013
- M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 2014
- CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 7157
- CA, Professional Engineer (Civil), License No. 85995
- OR, Structural Engineer, License No. 101892
- OR, Professional Engineer (Civil), License No. 101892
- WA, Structural Engineer, License No. 22036474
- WA, Professional Engineer (Civil), License No. 22036474
Why did you go into Engineering?
I took a “Natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest” class in undergrad and thought the earthquake portion was fascinating.
Little Known Fact
I've got 6 different methods of making coffee in my kitchen. I'm a true Seattleite!
What were you going to be when you grew up?
Point guard for the Seattle Supersonics.
Chris Hilson
Associate
Sacramento
- (213) 596-5026
- chilson@degenkolb.com
Education
B.A., Structural Engineering, UC San Diego, 2006
M.S., Civil Engineering, UC Los Angeles, 2010
PhD, Civil Engineering, UC Los Angeles, 2014
Registration
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 75049
ideas
Congratulations to our 2022 Mid-Year Promotions
Daniel Zepeda
Office Director, Senior Principal, Working Group Leader
Los Angeles, San Jose del Cabo
- (213) 596-5014
- dzepeda@degenkolb.com
- M.S, Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2003
- B.S., Civil Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, 2002
- CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5260
- CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 68493
Why did you go into Engineering?
I grew up helping my dad wrenching on his vehicles (ok, mostly holding the flashlight). I was also good in math and science and as a plus I liked to draw so it felt like a very natural thing to do. After so many years in the industry I am happy to say I picked something that I am not only good at but really enjoy doing.
Little Known Fact
I love to work with my hands and therefore own a ton of tools that I use to work on my own cars, bikes, and house. A good weekend for me would involve fixing something.
What hobby would you go into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I love to spend my free time off-roading so if I had more time, I would do a lot more of it.
Garrett Hagen
Principal
Orange County
- (657) 331-4233
- ghagen@degenkolb.com
Education
M.S., Architectural Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2012
B.S., Architectural Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2012
Registration
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 82112
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 6449
NV, Structural Engineer, License No. 24025
Gordy Wray
Principal
Oakland
- (510) 250-1249
- gwray@degenkolb.com
Education
B.S., Architectural Engineering, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 2002
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2003
Registration
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 68548
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5273
Why did you go into structural engineering?
I thought I was going to design roller coasters…still waiting.
Little Known Fact:
I took classes in Tractor Driving and Wilderness Survival while at Cal Poly.
Question of the Day
What hobby would you go into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I would step up my paella-making game. I currently max out with a 28” pan. I’d refine the recipes, get a bigger pan, and take the show on the road!
Article
Get Ready for the New Non-structural Performance Category, NPC-4D
Justin Tan
Associate
Los Angeles
- (213) 596-5023
- jtan@degenkolb.com
- B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis, 2013
- M.S. Structural Engineering, UC San Diego, 2014
- CA, Civil Engineer, License No. C86524
- CA, Structural Engineer, License No. S6858
Little Known Fact
I can make a surprisingly loud snap with my tongue.
What’s your favorite band?
Earth, Wind & Fire
Laura Basualdo
Associate Principal
Los Angeles
- (213) 596-5002
- lbasualdo@degenkolb.com
Education
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles 2008
M.S., Stanford University, 2010
Registration
CA, Civil Engineering License No. 80026
CA, Structural Engineering License No. 6486
Little Known Fact
I used to be a soccer referee.
Loring Wyllie
Senior Principal
San Francisco
- (415) 354-6412
- lwyllie@degenkolb.com
Education
M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1962
B.S. with Highest Honors, Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1960
Registration
CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 1648
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 17179
OR, Professional Engineer, License No. 12831
UT, Professional Engineer, License No. 7241
NE, Professional Engineer, License No. E-3853
TX, Professional Engineer, License No. 44520
WY, Professional Engineer, License No. 6445
Little Known Fact
I enjoy world travel and spend many weeks a year in exotic and beautiful locations such as Antigua, Paris, and Italy.
