Welcome to the first of a new series of columns in Engineered Systems on the broad topics of resilience and security. Let’s start with a brief introduction. I am currently senior vice president for structures and codes at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Prior to that, I was an academic and owned a small consulting firm. As a structural engineer, much of my research and consulting is involved with advanced analysis and problems in acoustic and vibration.
How does that relate to the Engineered Systems' audience? In addition to structural engineering, I have been an active member of ASHRAE for nearly 20 years. Starting with the Seismic and Wind Design and Acoustics Technical Committees, I have been a member of the technical committee on HVAC Security (now Security and Resilience) from its beginning and was chair of the committee for six years. In addition to still being an active member of the committee, I have recently agreed to lead a subcommittee on resilience that will help to develop the overall ASHRAE approach to resilient design.