Department of Veterans Affairs, Las Vegas Medical Center

Education

B.S., Magna Cum Laude Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 1997

M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 1998

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. S4809

CA, Civil Engineer, License No. C61655

UT, Structural Engineer, License No. 7272327-2203

CO, Professional Engineer, License No. 0051861

WA, Professional Engineer, License No. 54819

Why did you go into structural engineering?

My father was a construction superintendent, so I was introduced to the dynamics of a construction site at an early age. I was drawn to the creation of structures with a complex series of simple movements and elements. Upon entering UCSD, the description of the Structural Engineering program had me hooked – the ability to affect seemingly limitless structures. When I first got my PE license, I stamped a blank sheet of paper and faxed it to my dad at his job trailer – I think it was a proud moment for both of us.

Little known fact

My wife is a litigation attorney. When asked how many times I’ve been deposed, the official answer is based on my expert witness work, but the unofficial answer is a lot more!

Question of the Day

What’s your favorite way to get to work?

Bicycle – day or night, rain or shine. It’s a wonderful way to experience the city and enjoy a bit of exercise to start and end the day.

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering with Honors, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2000

M.S., Structural Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. S5083

CA, Civil Engineer, License No. C64989

TN, Professional Engineer, License No. 6419

Why did you go into structural engineering?

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!

Little Known Fact

I feel like our dog is my master, rather than I being his.

Question of the Day

What’s your favorite way to get to work?

Walk along the Embarcadero.

Education

M.S., Structural Engineering, University of Illinois, 2003
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 2001

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5305
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 68913
WA, Civil Engineer, License No. 44835

Little Known Fact

I have climbed three of the five volcanoes in Washington: Mount Baker (10,781 ft), Mount Adams (12,276 ft), and Mount Rainier (14,411 ft). Still on the list: Mount St. Helens (8365 ft) and Glacier Peak (10,541 ft).

Why did you go into Earthquake Engineering?

During graduate school I travelled to Taipei, Taiwan as part of a reconnaissance trip after the 1999 Chi Chi earthquake. Observing the damage firsthand led me to focus my career on reducing the impact of future earthquakes.

Question of the Day

What hobby would you go into if time and money weren’t an issue?

I would definitely get into private aviation and have a small plane to travel up and down the West Coast with my family. There are so many beautiful areas to explore and what better way to see them than from the sky!

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering University of California, Berkeley, 1980

M.Eng., Structural Engineering University of California, Berkeley, 1983

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 3044

CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 38451

OR, Professional Engineer, Civil/Structural, License No. 64360

NV, Professional Engineer Civil/Structural, License No. 017640

WA, Professional Engineer, License No. 55143

Why did you go into structural engineering?

When I entered college, I originally was in the mechanical engineering department at Berkeley, interested in the sub-discipline of petroleum engineering (mostly because this was a few years after the energy crisis of the mid 1970’s). After learning more about what mechanical would entail, and realizing that this wasn’t going to be a good fit for my interests, I switched into Civil Engineering. Once I began taking classes in the various disciplines of Civil, I determined that structural would be the best for me, especially living in California with our exposure to earthquakes.

Little Known Fact

I am a 3rd generation San Franciscan and have never lived more than 20 miles from the City. I’ve also coached little league baseball for 30 years, which is finally coming to an end.

Question of the Day

What’s your favorite team?

SF Giants.

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering, Utah State University, 1998
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 2001

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No.
CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 65045
UT, Structural Engineer, License No. 353471-2203

Little Known Fact

I am the oldest of 14 children.

Question of the Day

What’s your favorite band?

The Oak Ridge Boys.

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering, Washington State, 1999

M.S., Structural Engineering, University of Washington, 2001

Registration

CA, Civil Engineer, License No. C65047

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. S5113

NV, Structural Engineer, License No. 021252

Why did you go into structural engineering?

My father is an architect who taught and encouraged me to build things.  That interest in building developed from personal construction projects, to going to school to understand how building work, to helping my clients design the projects they need and desire.

Little Known Fact

I enjoy running and doing my own construction projects at home.

 Question of the Day

What’s your favorite way to get to work?

Casual Carpool as you can often have an interesting conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally get to meet.

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering, Tufts University, 2004

M.S., Civil Engineering, Tufts University, 2007

Registration

CA, Structural Engineer, License No. 5878

CA, Civil Engineer, License No. 75415

WA, Structural, License No. 53599

WA, Civil Engineer, License No. 53599

LEED AP Building Design + Construction

Why did you go into structural engineering?

Buildings are in the Nelson blood. My Dad has enjoyed a very successful career as a Civil Engineer and my Grandfather the same as a homebuilder and professional carpenter. Seeing both of them finding enjoyment in their careers while also making a daily impact on cities and communities sealed the deal for me.

Little Known Fact

I own and play a Keytar.

Question of the Day

What hobby would you go into if time and money weren’t an issue?

I absolutely love to travel abroad and I also love to write about those travels, but neither happen nearly as much as I would like. If “overseas self-publishing amateur travel writer” could be considered a hobby, that would be my answer.