Evan Olszko

Southwest Chapter

SEAW SW Chapter will be hosting our Tacoma Rainiers Social in a luxury suite at Cheney Stadium on Thursday, May 28th. Come root on the Rainiers as they face the Las Vegas Aviators starting at 7:05pm. Gates open at 5:30pm, the suite opens one hour before game time, and a full dinner and drinks will be provided. Sponsors will have the opportunity to support raffle prizes throughout the evening. This has quickly become a fun tradition for the SW Chapter as we wrap up the year. Invite your coworkers, families, and friends! There will be limited space, so please sign up here early! We’ll see you there!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 28th

Time:

5:30PM | Gates Open

6:05PM | Suite Opens

Location:

Cheney Stadium

2502 S Tyler St | Tacoma, WA 98405 

Pricing: (Includes Dinner & Drinks)

• SEAW Members | $35 per Ticket
• AIA, CSI or ASCE Members | $35 per Ticket
• Non-Members | $45 per Ticket

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Kyle Johnson

Seattle Chapter

The SEAW Seattle May meeting will be a guided tour of the Ash Grove Cement Plant in Seattle on Wednesday, May 21st. This exclusive behind-the-scenes visit will offer a firsthand look at cement manufacturing operations and an opportunity to learn more about how this essential material is produced and quality-controlled for use in our region’s infrastructure. Following the tour, attendees are invited to continue the conversation with a happy hour at Ghostfish Brewing. An excellent chance to connect with fellow structural engineers and industry professionals.

Photo Credit:

The Seattle Times 

Ash Grove Cement Company is one of the largest cement producers in the United States and has been a trusted supplier to the construction industry for more than a century. The Seattle plant plays a key role in supporting regional construction by producing high-quality cement while continuing to invest in operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and sustainability initiatives. This tour provides a valuable opportunity to better understand the material fundamentals that underpin our designs and to see how innovation is shaping the future of cement production.

4:00PM - 5:00PM | Ash Grove Tour

5:00PM - 6:00PM | Announcements and Happy Hour and Ghostfish Brewing

Kyle Johnson

Seattle Chapter

The SEAW Seattle Chapter is proud to announce the finalists for the SEAW Seattle Awards. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all firms and engineers who submitted projects for consideration. The breadth and quality of submissions reflect the outstanding technical skill, creativity, and dedication of structural engineers practicing in our region. The jury was impressed by the innovation, rigor, and impact demonstrated across all entries.

Vote for the People’s Choice Award by May 31st.

After careful review, the following projects have been selected as finalists for this year’s awards:

• The Ayer, Seattle, WA (CKC Structural Engineers)
• Fort Wainwright Community Activity Center and Aquatic Center, Fairbanks, AK (Coffman Engineers)
• Lightwell Hotel, Hood River, OR (Coffman Engineers)
• Los Angeles Public Health Laboratory, Los Angeles, CA (HDR)
• Lowell Observatory – Illuminated Celestial Atom Sculpture, Flagstaff, AZ (Coffman Engineers)
• Makah National Fish Hatchery Weir Repair, Neah Bay, WA (CG Engineering)
• Seattle Convention Center Summit Building, Seattle, WA (Magnusson Klemencic Associates)
• Snoqualmie Hotel & Casino, Snoqualmie, WA (CKC Structural Engineers)

Congratulations to all of the finalists on this well‑deserved recognition.

In addition to jury‑selected awards, all finalists are eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which will be determined by a vote of the SEAW Seattle Chapter membership. This award provides an opportunity for members to recognize the project they feel best exemplifies excellence in structural engineering.

To vote there is an event on the SEAW website titled “SEAW Seattle – SE Awards People’s Choice Voting”. You will “register” for the event and will be prompted to rank your top three choices. Here is a link to the event page. The submission posts for the project finalists can be found on the event page.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the inaugural SEAW Seattle Awards. We look forward to celebrating these exceptional projects and the engineers behind them at the awards presentation during our June meeting which will be held at Even Tide on June 4th.

Joyce Lem

DPRC Committee

In the aftermath of a disaster, such as a major earthquake, structural engineers can play a major role in helping their communities as Building Safety Evaluators (BSEs). BSEs (working in teams of at least two) determine which buildings are safe for occupancy. WAsafe is the Washington State program that organizes BSEs – currently a registry of hundreds of engineers, architects, and other industry professionals. Qualified BSEs can enroll in the WAsafe registry, which we use to request volunteers BSEs following a major earthquake or other disaster.

WAsafe BSE Class: May 19th, 2026

A first step to becoming qualified as a BSE is to take the WAsafe Building Safety Evaluations (ATC 20/45 Plus) class. SEAW is offering this in-person class on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, in Everett. For more details about the training and to register, go to WAsafe BSE class. Class Instructors Erik Bishop and Paul Brallier bring their experience to their teaching; they took the photos of damaged buildings that accompany this article.

Next, enroll in the WAsafe registry. The WAsafe registry is on Washington State website, and how it’s used and how to enroll will be covered in the May 19th class. For more about the WAsafe program and a link to the WAsafe registry, visit the WAsafe website.

If you’re already a member of WAsafe, your enrollment expires 5 years after your last training. See your ID badge for the expiration date. Complete the online Refresher training within 12 months after your WAsafe enrollment expires or you will be required to take the full-day BSE training to stay active in WAsafe. In comparison, completing the Refresher is expected to take 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. For more details about the Refresher and to register, visit Refresher Training online. Taking the full-day WAsafe BSE class is also an alternative to the Refresher.

Train-the-Trainer Class: June 1st, 2026

We are offering an in-person, full-day WAsafe Building Safety Evaluations (ATC 20/45 Plus) Train-the-Trainer class, at no cost to participants. If you are interested in helping to teach WAsafe BSE classes, please come to this class, which will be held in downtown Seattle. You need to be enrolled (active) in the WAsafe registry as a BSE to attend. For details and registration, go to Trainer Training.

If you have any questions about the Disaster Prep/Response Committee or the WAsafe program, please send an email to joyce.seaw@wasafecoalition.org.

Some of the damage to a 20-story office building in Concepcion, Chile, including a collapse of 4 floors starting at the 12th story. The M8.8 subduction earthquake off the coast of Chile in 2010 was similar to what can be expected in the Pacific Northwest. Photo courtesy Erik Bishop of Reid Middleton.

The 2023 earthquakes in Turkey caused severe damage to masonry. Above left: exterior infill walls in a multi-story concrete frame. Above right: interior, nonstructural collapse on stairway. Photos courtesy of Paul Brallier.

Paolo Bourdeau

YMG

At the end of April, SEAW and ASCE members joined together at Ivar’s Acres of Clams on the waterfront for networking with peers, a plated dinner, and an insightful presentation. The evening began with announcements from both organizations regarding upcoming events, a major highlight being the upcoming Structural Engineering Awards ceremony at the SEAW June Social. Finalists have been announced and voting for the remaining awards is now open, so please go vote!



Matthew Barber and Jake Douglass of WSP presenting on the Sound Transit Crosslake Connection at Ivar’s Acres of Clams at the Seattle Chapter Meeting in April. Image by Paolo Bourdeau.

After dinner was served, the feature presentation began. Matthew Barber and Jake Douglass, bridge engineers from WSP, presented on Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection. Part of Sound Transit’s light rail expansion, this project joins eastside stations in Bellevue and Redmond to Seattle through the world’s first light rail service to cross a floating bridge. The new segment of the Link Light Rail 2 Line repurposes the existing reversible high-occupancy vehicle lanes of the I-90 bridge for exclusive light rail service. This required extensive innovative solutions and collaborative problem-solving between WSP and their design partners. As the design leads during construction of the project, Matthew and Jake detailed the existing highway bridge retrofits, the pioneering railway track designs, and the integration of new stations in Judkins Park and Mercer Island.

Jake described how the addition of the new light rail system imposed around 25% more dead loading and 30% more live loading on the existing bridge. Analyses also found that a few of the bridge piers were taking a majority of the seismic base shear. Retrofit efforts included enhancing two of these piers into “super piers” to attract most of the base shear using post-tensioning, steel jacketing, and the use of viscous dampers. To manage the additional weight of the plinth upgrades required for the new railway, the design team incorporated hollow plinths. The existing bridge’s flexural capacity and service life were also increased by post-tensioning the floating bridge’s pontoons with tendons that run the entire length, some being over 3,570 feet long! These are only a few examples of the amazing work done to retrofit the existing bridge and repurpose the infrastructure for light rail transit.

Following the bridge retrofits, Matthew shared details on the “Track Bridge” system that made a light rail train crossing over a floating bridge possible. The rail track is attached to the existing bridge through precast concrete blocks that sit on the bridge deck but designed to protect said deck from stray current caused by the rail and to avoid positively connecting to the deck to avoid compromising its water tightness. Between the fixed and floating bridges lives the track bridges, called the curved element supported rail system and designed to accommodate the unrestrained movement of the floating bridge while holding the railway stable on top of the bridge. Composed of steel wing members and friction pendulum bearings that function as a three-legged stool, the system was modeled at the University of Washington and went through rigorous testing in Colorado. Since installation of the track bridges, the bridge is continuously monitored for serviceability and systems checks, including deflections during both rail transit and vehicle use of the interstate.

With four of the top five longest floating bridges in the world, Washington adds another achievement by being the first to have light rail service crossing one. Working closely with WSDOT and Sound Transit, WSP and their design team partners achieved an engineering feat that may lead the way for future transit innovations. This presentation highlighted an example of innovative work that engineers strive to be a part of. Congratulations to the design team and thank you to Matthew and Jake for sharing the challenges and solutions of this project. The Sound Transit Crosslake Connection opened in late March and is in full service. I look forward to taking a train ride myself and maybe feeling when the train crosses over the track bridges (Spoiler: you can’t).

Patrick Lindblom

Seattle Chapter

On behalf of the Seattle Chapter Elections Committee, we would like to announce the nominations for 2026-2027 Seattle Officers and Board of Directors.

Following the initial recommendations presented by the Nominations Committee, the window for general membership nominations for the 2026–2027 SEAW Seattle Chapter Officers and Board of Directors has officially closed. We are pleased to announce that the nomination process is now complete, and the final slate of candidates has been established.

The Nominations Committee has provided the following candidates for consideration:

Seattle Chapter Leadership: 

• For President: Kyle Johnson
• For Vice President: Jeff Dragovich

Seattle Chapter Board of Directors: 

• For position #1 A further (2) years in a (3) year term: Evan Jordan
• For position #2 (3) year term: Doug Smith
• For position #3 (3) year term: Craig Roberts

Seattle Chapter members, please use this link to cast your vote for this year’s Seattle Chapter Officers & Board. Voting will be available until Friday, May 29th.

We would like to thank the members of the Nominations Committee for bringing forward this commendable slate of candidates.

Kyle Johnson, P.E., S.E., is a Structural Engineering Discipline Manager for Coffman Engineers in Seattle, leading teams in delivering high quality, practical structural solutions. He has been involved with SEAW for over 10 years and is the chair of the SEAW Outreach Committee and is currently on the SEAW and NCSEA Seismic Committees. He’s known for collaborative leadership, clear communication, and supporting engineers through complex project challenges. He has worked on a variety of project types around the country with specific emphasis on advanced manufacturing and seismic retrofits and renovations.

Jeff Dragovich, Ph.D., S.E., F.ACI, is an Associate at DeSimone Consulting Engineers (DCE). He is a Seattle native with over 30 years of engineering experience in the industry and academic, and as a research structural engineer in the NEHRP group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. His primary focus is Performance-Based Design, having worked on many projects in Washington and California since 1998. At DCE, he leads their internal R&D efforts and provides technical expertise to design projects. He has been a member of SEAW since 2012 and a previous member of the SEAW board of Directors. He is a main committee member on ACI 318-31, ACI 369 Seismic Repair and Rehabilitation, and ACI committees related to performance-based seismic and wind design. In addition to SEAW, he is a member of ASCE, SEAOC and EERI, and the Secretary on the SEI Advancement of Performance Based Design Committee.

Evan Jordan, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, is a Senior Design Engineer with Magnusson Klemencic Associates in Seattle. His project portfolio spans a variety of vertical construction market sectors across the country, including commercial offices, life science buildings, parking garages, airport terminal structures, and existing buildings, totaling over 4.2 million square feet. He enjoys designing concrete and steel structures, both gravity and lateral, while heavily emphasizing collaboration among his colleagues to deliver impactful structural solutions. Evan became involved in the SEAW YMG and strove to improve organizational success through the COVID era. He currently co-chairs the SEAW Online Membership Platform Committee and seeks to improve SEAW’s organizational sustainability and effectiveness both internally and externally.

Doug Smith, P.E., S.E., is the Structural Engineering Supervisor for Seattle City Light. He received his BSCE from the University of Washington in 2000 and has been a registered Structural Engineer in Washington since 2012. Doug practiced in consulting for more than 20 years, with a focus on new design, forensics, and specialty medical equipment, before joining the city. In his current role, he works to preserve historic structures and improve seismic resiliency for the utility’s equipment and facilities, from the generation sites to the underground vaults. He has been active with the NCEES structural exam committee as a grader and writer for 15 years and has leveraged his ability to understand and interpret building codes into a successful hobby as a youth baseball and softball umpire.

Craig F. Roberts, P.E., S.E., is the president of CT Engineering, Inc., in Seattle. He has 35 years of engineering experience and is licensed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona. His early career included civil engineering projects, construction management and inspections. His projects range from single family projects to multi-family podium projects, retail buildings and excavation and shoring designs. He has been serving as a board member of the SEFW since 2018 and served as the chair between 2020 and 2022. He has been a member of SEAW for over 30 years. Craig has actively supported the efforts of both SEFW and SEAW.

Build the Future of Structural Engineering & Support SEFW This Spring

Katie Bohocky

SEFW

The Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington (SEFW) is proud to launch our annual Spring Fundraising Campaign, and we invite you to be part of the impact.

Your support plays a vital role in advancing the structural engineering profession across Washington State—fueling scholarships, expanding educational opportunities, supporting research, and strengthening community outreach.

See Your Impact in Action

We’re excited to share the SEFW 2025 Annual Report, showcasing the real difference donor contributions make. From empowering students to driving critical research and raising public awareness, this report highlights the collective impact of our community.

Read the full report and see what your support makes possible.

Why Your Gift Matters

A tax-deductible donation of $50 or more can go a long way in strengthening our profession and inspiring the next generation of structural engineers. Every contribution helps build a more resilient and innovative future.

Where Your Support Goes

General Fund

Supports education and outreach initiatives, including student engagement, industry partnerships, and the annual Forum lecture.

Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships and stipends to structural engineering students and emerging professionals through SEAW programs.

Disaster Preparedness & Response Fund

Advances earthquake reconnaissance and research through the SEAW DPR Committee—helping create safer, more resilient communities.

Make Your Gift Today

Your generosity ensures that SEFW can continue building an enduring legacy for structural engineering in Washington.

Give today and be part of shaping the future.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our mission. Together, we are building the future of structural engineering.

This SEFW graphic outlines the areas of the SEFW mission. Tax-deductible donations for the SEFW spring campaign are being accepted now! Graphic by SEFW.

SEAW Membership Survey

New Website Platform

Please take a few minutes to share your feedback on the new SEAW membership platform (www.seaw.org). Your input will help us identify what is working well and where improvements are needed to better support members. The survey should take less than five minutes to complete

SEAW YMG Happy Hour Series – LMN the Shop

May 14th | 5:30PM - 7:30PM | Seattle, WA

SEAW South Central Monthly Chapter Meeting

May 14th | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | Sunnyside, WA

SEAW Seattle Chapter Board Meeting

May 18th | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | Virtual

WAsafe Building Safety Evaluations (ATC 20/45 Plus)

May 19th | 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Everett, WA

SEAW Seattle Ash Grove Cement Tour

May 21st | 4:00PM- 6:00PM | Seattle, WA

SEAW YMG & ASCE YMF T-Mobile Park Tour

May 22nd | 2:30PM - 4:00PM | Seattle, WA 

SEAW Spokane May Social 

May 28th | 4:00PM - 6:00PM

SEAW Southwest Tacoma Rainiers Social

May 28th | 6:05PM - 10:30PM | Tacoma, WA

SEAW State Board Meeting

May 29th | 12:00PM - 1:30PM | Virtual

Visit the SEAW website for other event dates and information.

Welcome New Members!

Kelly Hillard, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Seattle Chapter

Jimmy Kith, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Seattle Chapter

Adam Loewenherz, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Seattle Chapter

Courtney Ciolek, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Seattle Chapter

Andrew Wang, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Seattle Chapter

Alec Figgins, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Southwest Chapter

Dylan Suddath, Associate (PCS Structural Solutions) | Southwest Chapter

Laura Bobier, Member PE (Hazen & Sawyer) | Seattle Chapter

Jessica Powell, Member PE | Seattle Chapter

Structural Engineers, All Levels

Seattle, Tacoma and Central Washington Offices

Swenson Say Faget is hiring Structural Engineers at all experience levels across its offices. The firm values strong technical fundamentals, good judgment, curiosity, teamwork, and persistence. SSF offers hands-on responsibility, direct client interaction, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth in an informal but high-expectation environment. Employees are challenged and supported while working on a wide range of meaningful projects with experienced colleagues and trusted clients.

Qualifications:

• PE License Preferred for Project Engineers and Project Managers
• Meticulous attention to detail with demonstrated analytic, problem-solving, and three-dimensional conceptual skills.
• Excellent command of the English language with above average verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Our annual salary ranges represent the low and high end at SSF. Actual compensation will be based on various factors including but not limited to experience, skills, depth and breadth of technical ability, and individual performance.

• Staff Engineer: $80,000 - $88,000
• Project Engineer: $87,000 - $98,000
• Project Manager: $97,000 - $110,000

Salary is one component of SSF’s total compensation package. Other compensation includes annual discretionary bonuses based on company profitability and employee contributions to SSF’s success plus additional wages calculated and paid quarterly for extra time and effort above set goals.

Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid medical, vision, dental (including orthodontia), vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for staff
• 4 weeks’ Paid Time Off (PTO) each calendar year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Health Care and Dependent Care expenses
• 401(k), including pretax and Roth options, plus employer match with immediate vesting
• Subsidized ORCA transit passes (Seattle office)
• Eight Paid Holidays each calendar year
• Up to 32 hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off each full calendar year of employment
• Professional Testing and Licensing reimbursement



For a full list of benefits and more information, check us out at https://ssfengineers.com/careers/. Submit your resume and letter of interest to info@ssfengineers.com.

Structural Engineers Association of Washington 

5727 Baker Way NW, Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332

206.338.7376

info@seaw.org

www.seaw.org

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