As a child, Ron was fascinated with buildings – a fascination that only grew with him. At the start of 2020 he became BHB’s first structural engineer, bringing with him 14 years of experience in consulting engineering. Over those years, he’s had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of unique and noteworthy projects, while discovering his favorite parts of the job.
Throughout his career, Ron has come to learn that the most important role he plays is that of a public servant. He wants to help people, sometimes leading him to projects that are more unique because he likes the challenge of helping a client achieve their vision. He also makes a point to consider each project as more than just a task or job, but to remember what it will become and the impact it will have on the community now and in the future.
His favorite type of project is historical renovations and restorations. He is fascinated by the history and what the building means to the community and likes to learn about antiquated structural systems. He’s worked on the renovation of several courthouses and a hotel built in the 1920’s, but one of his most unique historical rehabilitation projects was that of the Sam Rayburn Barn in Bonham, Texas for the Texas Historic Commission. Originally built by Sam Rayburn himself, the THC intended to convert it into storage and classrooms. The building had some decay and wind damage in addition to its lack of a foundation. Ron helped develop a solution that involved temporarily moving the barn to install a new foundation, then repairing the barn and eliminating interior structural supports to maximize storage and classroom spaces.
Of all the projects he’s worked on, Ron is most proud of the UNT Health Science Center Interdisciplinary Research Building (IRB), for which he was the project manager and engineer-of-record. He appreciated the design challenge presented by the location on a hillside, but more than that he values the impact that facility will have on health professionals in the area for years to come. Another challenging project was the 21st Century Classroom at Texas A&M, which entailed large round lecture halls with 360-degree projection screens, with an L-shaped building above. His design solution was to cast in place 30-foot tall concrete cylinders to shape the round theater-style classrooms while also supporting the floors above.
Something else that Ron appreciates about his career is the luxury of being able to explore outside the office–from walking through abandoned buildings that serve as a time capsule, to swing stages off 20-story buildings, to hanging off the side of a dam structure. Whatever the adventure, Ron is ready to get to work.
