586-2024

As Mayor, I request City Council confirmation of the following appointments to the Structural Engineering Advisory Committee.

The Structural Engineering Advisory Committee has six member seats that need action. The Structural Engineering Advisory Committee is appointed by the Mayor and consists of six members licensed in Oregon to practice structural engineering. Members shall serve 3-year terms and may be appointed to consecutive terms. In addition, the Director, or designee, shall be an ex-officio member of the board. 

This Committee advises the Director and/or the Appeals Board in structural matters relative to reasonable interpretation and to alternate materials and methods of construction. 

I recommend the following candidates for appointment and reappointment.

Anne Monnier is Principal-in-Charge with kpff consulting engineers. Anne has 30 years of structural engineering experience. She has vast experience in the design or new structures and seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings. She has overseen several projects in the Pacific Northwest as well as on structures around the world. Some significant structures she has worked on the Portland metro area include Oregon Health & Science University, Doernbecher Children's Hospital Expansion, Providence Health & Services, Providence Portland Medical Center Expansion, Cancer Center, Adidas America Inc., Adidas North American Headquarters Expansion, TMT Development Co Inc, Park Avenue West Tower, Portland State University, Peter Stott Center Renovation, Seismic Upgrade & Viking Pavilion and Literary Arts, Literary Arts Headquarters Renovation and Seismic Upgrade to name just a few. She actively engages with the A/E/C industry in Portland, serving as a board member and treasurer for the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO) from 2005 – 2007, board member for the Architectural Foundation of Oregon (AFO) from 2010 – 2019, and on the Critical Building Committee for the Oregon Resilience Plan Task Force from 2011 – 2012. 

Statement of interest from Anne Monnier: 

As a licensed Structural Engineer (SE) with over 30 years of experience working in the industry, and particularly in the Pacific NW, I have significant experience in seismic design of buildings and understand how codes have evolved (and continue to evolve). My commitment to resiliency motivates me to design structures that withstand environmental impacts yet remain flexible for future adaptations. I hope my experience and engineering judgement, among those of others on the committee, will help make buildings in Portland safe and compliant with code intent while also allowing engineering creativity as we all pursue a resilient lower carbon future.

I am committed to and embrace diversity and inclusion both in backgrounds and ways of thinking. I grew up abroad (Denmark) and have worked with a diverse group of people throughout my career I listen to everyone's input and opinion before making final recommendations). I am excited to contribute to the community by lending my experience and knowledge, and the possibility of making Portland a safe and better place to live. 

Ed Quesenberry is the founding Principal of Equilibrium Engineers LLC. Ed has over 30 years of structural engineering consulting experience on a broad range of building types, including civic, commercial, education, healthcare and housing facilities in California, Oregon, and Washington. Some of notable projects he has worked on include Multnomah County Courthouse, Oregon Zoo Master Plan, University of Oregon Pacific Hall renovation and seismic upgrade, Linfield College Seismic upgrades and renovations. He is Past Allied Member Director of the AIA Portland, has been an Adjunct Faculty Member at Portland State University, is Past President of the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO), and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA).

Statement of interest from Ed Quesenberry:

I am a proponent of beyond-code design and alternative methods in structural design, as they both are the outcome of the creativity of the structural engineer. Creative problem solving by the structural engineer can result in amazing outcomes for the communities in which we all live, play and work. I am excited at the opportunity to apply my over 30 years of structural engineering experience of a broad range of building types, to serious discussions about creative solutions for the Portland built environment. I would hope to be a voice of reason and to have a fair, open-minded approach to evaluation of the engineering judgement of my peers.

Randall Toma is one of the founding partners of ABHT Structural Engineers and has over 28 years of structural design experience inclusive of all the major building materials. He has designed and managed many complex projects including multi-story office buildings, mixed-use developments, multi-family housing, educational facilities, and infrastructure. Randall has experience working with different types of clients and owners including many public agencies. Some of these public agencies include Portland Community College, Portland Public Schools, Portland Water Bureau, Multnomah County, and Home Forward (formerly Housing Authority of Portland).

Statement of interest from Randall Toma: 

I am a registered structural engineer in Oregon who has been practicing structural engineering in Portland for almost 28 years. I believe that my ability to understand and interpret the intent of building codes as well dedication to creating safe structures that are seismically sufficient will aid in the board's mission. I am excited to be part of a likeminded group who will have input into guiding Portland in the direction of providing life safety for its residents in the form of seismically safe structures.

Being a person of color myself, I am fully committed to a collaboration with people of all diversity and ages. I feel that this produces the best outcomes as it ensures that viewpoints and experiences of all are thoughtfully discussed and considered. As I have personally experienced discrimination, I also feel that I am more sensitive and understanding to people of all diversity and ages and can contribute by considering the perspectives of all.

Hamid Afghan is the founder and president of AAI Engineering, a structural and civil engineering, landscape architecture, and planning firm has been the principal for the structural design and evaluation of a variety of industrial, commercial, educational, and multi-family projects, providing in-depth knowledge of a wide range of building systems and building materials. Hamid’s wealth of design and construction experience facilitates creative and economical solutions. Hamid is often asked to provide forensic engineering services as well as expert testimony and is frequently a guest speaker for a forensic structural engineering. He has taught at Portland State University and Clackamas Community College.

Statement of interest from Hamid Afghan: There are many instances where the code is not very specific for structural engineering. I believe my four decades of practicing structural engineering would be beneficial in certain aspects of code interpretation and development of alternative and creative solutions that will result in our community becoming a better place to live and work. In my years of practice, I have worked with a broad range of building types and materials which allows me to not only focus on safety of the structures, but also takes into account practical and economical solutions. I attended Portland State University and have lived in the Portland area for the last 50 years. Therefore, I have high interest in seeing that our community continues to be one of the best places to live in the country. I plan to be open minded and reasonable as I work with my peers on evaluating the cases that are presented to us.

Shirley Chalupa is a Principal with DCI Engineers with over 26 years’ experience in structural Engineering. She has overseen numerous mass timber, cold form steel, steel modular, seismic retrofit, and renovation projects throughout Oregon. She believes in preserving character and history of the city of Portland by seismically retrofitting and reusing existing buildings for the next generation. She has preserved numerous historical buildings throughout Portland such as Olympic Mills, Eastside Exchange, Hotel Chamberlain, among others. She has frequently conducted structural assessments and building design for various levels of seismic performance, as defined by ASCE 41. She served as a structural engineering representative on the City of Portland’s Unreinforced Masonry Building Workgroup in 2019. Shirley believes local government can benefit with engaging with community members like herself. She is an advocate in instigating respectful, meaningful dialogue about equity in the workplace.

Statement of interest from Shirley Chalupa:

Moving to the US from Indonesia as a teenager, I have become the person I am today. It’s what makes me a well-rounded citizen, an immigrant’s success story, and a perfect candidate for the advisory committee. My exposure to different cultures and deepens my drive to help people from under-represented minority groups. My experience from visiting other parts of the world puts me in a unique position to accept different communications styles, problem solving techniques, and partnership roles. Local government can benefit with engaging with community members like myself. I am an advocate in instigating respectful, meaningful dialogue about equity in the workplace.

Jennifer Eggers is a Principal with Holmes Structures. With a degree in both Architecture and Engineering she has over 21 years of structural engineering experience, including the design and seismic retrofit/renovation of elementary school, middle school, high school, and public/private University campuses along with public/civic/government and private developer work. Jennifer has vast experience with seismic evaluations and/or retrofitting of existing buildings, using ASCE 41, Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings. and currently serves as the Vintage Building Committee (VBC) Chair for the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO). Jennifer also has experience in the use of, alternate materials such as FRP and evaluations using alternate technology such as base isolation. 

Statement of interest from Jennifer Eggers:

As past president of SEAO and current VBC Chair, I strive to remain involved in and to promote our local and national engineering organizations. When first starting my career in the Bay Area, I was also heavily involved in the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California. Through my involvement in professional organizations, I greatly enjoy the collaboration with colleagues from other firms to better our profession together.

These prospective members are all registered structural engineers with several years of structural engineering experience. They all are respected members of the structural engineering community and several of them have served on national, statewide and local structural engineering organizations. They have experience in dealing with a lot of typical issues that come before the board especially when it comes to seismic upgrades of existing buildings and innovative technologies. They have all demonstrated knowledge of seismic design principles which is by far the predominant issue that comes before the board. I have no doubt they will serve on the board with distinction.

With these appointments, all positions on the Structural Engineering Advisory Committee will be filled.

I recommend that Anne Monnier, Ed Quesenberry, and Randall Toma be appointed to the Structural Engineering AdvisoryCommittee first terms dated June 27, 2024 through June 26, 2027.

I recommend that Hamid Afghan, Shirley Chalupa, and Jennifer Eggers be reappointed to the Structural Engineering Advisory Committee second terms dated June 27, 2024 through June 26, 2027.