Employment and education:
Following my studies at LLCC, I earned both my B.S. in metallurgical engineering and M.S. in civil/structural engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am a structural engineer with 13 years of design experience working with/for architectural consultants. In my design career I designed a multitude of building types from schools and churches to industrial and warehouse structures and everything in between. I left the design world to work for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) in 2007 in their Continuing Education department, where I traveled with our continuing education seminars for engineers, covering a third of the country. Five years ago, I moved into the engineering and research department, where I work with the AISC’s technical publications. I am responsible for the AISC Design Guide series that covers more specialized topics than our specification can cover. I also made editor of the AISC Engineering Journal two years ago, as well as secretary of the committee that is responsible for the AISC/ANSI 358 Standard-Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications.
How has Lincoln Land Community College impacted your life?
LLCC was a great start to my college career. It offered a transition from a small high school to a very large university. Knowing that I wanted to graduate from the U of I with an engineering degree, the LLCC program was a perfect fit. It was close enough to my hometown to commute everyday, allowing me to live at home and save money, and the pre-engineering program was specifically coordinated with the U of I College of Engineering, meaning that every credit transferred directly.
What is your greatest accomplishment(s)?
Hmm … still TBD I think!
Was there a professor, advisor, staff member or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were here at LLCC?
Yes there were many. Those at the top of the list were my Physics teacher, Mr. Masulis, who endured seeing me at his door every single week during his office hours. He was incredibly patient and wonderful at explaining complex concepts. My Chemistry professor, Dr. Long, also left quite an impression. He was tough and demanding, which was a great preparation for the rigors of the university world to come. And I also have very fond memories of fascinating discussions with my History of Western Civ teacher, Mr. Anderson.
What did you like about LLCC or what is your favorite LLCC memory?
It was a great transition from my small high school to a very large university campus.