AIA|LA Practice Committee Presents: Effective Communication with Engineers & Consultants

Effective Communication with Engineers & Consultants
Hear how three different consultants have experienced working with architects and what they suggest to improve communication and collaboration. The panel consisting of Chuck Whitaker (John A.. Martin & Associates, Inc.), Gary Brennen (Syska Hennessy Group) and Chris Sterparn (Davis Langdon) will do a brief presentation followed by discussion moderated by Mehrdad Farivar (Morris Polich & Purdy LLP).
Location: Morris Polich & Purdy LLP 1055 W 7th… Show more St # 2400 Los Angeles, Ca 90017
Parking: Parking is available in the building, with entrances on 7th street and Bixel for the early bird rate of $6. There is also an open air lot on Bixel which charges $5.
Chuck Whitaker Vice President John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.
Chuck Whitaker serves as a Principal/Structural Project Director for John A. Martin & Associates. He began his structural engineering career in Washington D.C. with the firm of Kce Structural Engineers and worked there until 1986 when he moved to California to join the firm of John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. With over 38 years of experience in engineering design, project management, and construction administration, Chuck's experience encompasses a diverse array of project types including recreational facilities, educational facilities, sports facilities, hotels, parking structures, museums, housing, retail facilities, theatres, office buildings, laboratories and warehouses; as well as renovations and seismic evaluations. He is responsible for business development for the 90 person firm and also sets up projects during the initial design phases to provide for economical and practical structural solutions. His leadership ensures efficient levels of oversight of the structural design team, including input on design parameters and construction systems; appropriate allocation and commitment of the firms resources; and precise quality review to ensure that the structural system optimally meets both design and structural/seismic requirements.
Gary Brennen Co-President Syska Hennessy Group
Gary Brennen is the Co-President as well as a member of the firm's Board of Directors. He began his career in 1982 with Syska's New York Office; he relocated to Los Angeles in 1986, and along with the leadership team, he was able to greatly expand and enhance the Western Region. In the role of Co-President, Gary creates a high energy environment of teamwork, collaboration and creativity, fostering growth for our team members and innovative solutions for our clients. Gary is ultimately responsible for conceptual engineering and seeing that all appropriate Syska Hennessy Group resources are best directed to meet the Client's needs.
Chris Sterparn Leed Ap Sr. Associate Davis Langdon
Chris Sterparn leads Davis Langdon's Education Market Sector and brings extensive experience providing strategic facilities consulting solutions to institutional clients. He specializes in the higher education, science and technology, and healthcare sectors and has experience with many building types including research laboratories, academic classroom buildings, professional schools, medical facilities and libraries. Chris has managed projects through the entire design process, with an emphasis on capital planning; budget development; programmatic, parametric, and elemental cost modeling; value engineering; bid analysis and evaluation, and life cycle cost analysis (NPV and Irr analysis); He has managed projects ranging in size from $5 million to over $1 Billion.

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