Professional Topics of Interest

In college my thesis topic was a program which performed automated design of open-web floor joist systems. The program had a Genetic Algorithm at its heart and was my first foray into automation. Since college I have expanded my toolbox to include energy optimization tools as well a paramatric modeling techniques for use in building designs.
During my tenure as a bridge engineer and also a building engineer, I have sought opportunities to utitilize these tools in a professional setting and have been largely disappointed. While I have developed project specific tools to suit a need; exploration of advanced optimization often takes a back seat to schedule and constructibility. Material cost is often not the driving factor in a building design, so optimization is not a priority. This leads to the pursuit being largely undertaken outside of work.

Other Topics of Interest

When not engineering building solutions for others, you will find me enganged in any of my several hobbies.

Poltics

While not involved in any manner, I follow politics and am interested in the philosophy behind politics. Philosophy is a science that often gets overlooked in most Education systems. It is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existance. The tools available are the most simple of the sciences and are composed of logic, reason and thought. When attempting to understand Politics and political decisions, we must understand the driving philosophy behind those decisions. This is my pursuit and interest.
I believe in the philosophy on which the United States of America was founded. I have read Madison's Notes, the Federalists Papers, and the Anti-Federalists Papers, and understand the thoughts and fears present in the great minds who concieved and ultimately created the United States of America. These ideas must be understood and passed on, for they are based on the philosophy of Individual Liberty. This knowledge is not inherited, but must be taught, and I consider it a travesty that these are not taught in American schools, for as Ronald Reagan correctly stated:
     "We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth."

Physics

As Engineering is the practical application of scientific knowledge, and I am an engineer; I am also a defacto student of Sciecne. When looking at scientific claims it is importatn to remember the scientific method and rogorously apply it. It is extremely important to recognize the difference between causality and corralation. When observing complex systems, we should understand out sources of error and ensure that we can properly account for the error. Hopefully my lab examples will show how this works in real world scenarios.

History

I like to understand what has come before me so that I may learn from the errors of the past.
I have observed the cycles of history, and will do my part to ensure that they are not repeated.

Law

If you have an interest in Politics, you must be at least curious in regards to the Law. If you are Professional, you have a great deal of concern regarding the Law.

The law is perverted! And the police powers of teh state perverted along with it. The law, I say, not only turned from its purpose but made to follow an entirely contrart purpose! The law becomes the weapon of every kind of greed! Instead of checking crime, the law itself becomes guilty of the evils it is supposed to punish!
~Fredreric Bastiat

Professional Body of Work

I am a licensed Structural Engineer AND Professional Engineer working for Patrick Engineering in Lisle, Illinois.
Prior to Patrick, I worked for 9 years at Thornton Tomasetti. I have specialized capabilites in long span structure design as well as high rise and ultra high rise design. I have experince in all phases of structural design, and drawing production and have branched out into construction services with erection engineering and connection design. In my twelve years, I have been fortunate to work on many impressive projects; some of which are listed below:

Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture The crown jewel of any resume and I am proud to say that I was a key member of the design team for the project.	Epic Deep Space, Verona, WI © Thornton Tomasetti I would like to highlight this project as it was the crucible. From concept to constructed building in 30 months. My part included the design of a long span roof over a 10,000 seat auditorium with a green roof. The overall structure building has a six acre foot print and is almost devoid of any repetition.
Solar Canopy in Chicago, Illinois. © 2013 Connor Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography	The CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA © Populous
The Federal Express O’Hare Metroplex Project in Chicago, IL © Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, Inc.	FedEx Airbus Hangar Facility in Memphis, TN © Thornton Tomasetti
MGM Mirage CityCenter in Las Vegas, NV © Thornton Tomasetti	United Center Roof Reinforcing in Chicago, IL © Thornton Tomasetti