EM Structural is proud to announce that Darren Johnson, a project engineer in the Atlanta office, has recently passed his SE exam and is now a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Georgia. Darren has been with EM Structural since January 2014.
Please join us all in congratulating Darren on this great accomplishment!
SPOTLIGHT ON: Principal Engineer Kyle Swenson
In this feature we are highlighting some of our staff to give some insight into their lives beyond the engineering world. Today we spotlight Kyle Swenson. Kyle is a principal engineer in our Atlanta office; a native of St. Louis, Missouri; and a graduate of Auburn University with both a bachelors and masters. Kyle is an integral part of the EM Structural team working on a wide variety of projects all around the county.
Where did you go to school? When did you graduate?
Lindbergh High School, 1997
Auburn University, BS 2001
Auburn University, MS 2003
How long have you been at Ellinwood + Machado?
6 years this November
Where did you grow up?
St. Louis, Missouri
Are you married? Do you have kids?
Yes, 9 years this October.
Two children – Ellinor (3½) and Charlie (3 months)
Do you have pets? If so, tell us about them.
We have two dogs – Trooper and Lena, both Welsh Corgis. Prior to having kids around the house, they were both show dogs. Now they just lay around the house and shed like it’s going out of style.
What is your favorite thing in your house?
I spent a good bit of time turning a room in our house into an office after we moved in. I’m not in there much, but it turned out really nice!
What do you like to do when you have free time?
Most of my free time is spent at home. If I get a chance to get away by myself, I try to play a little golf.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Probably surviving college.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Really enjoyed our trip to California a few years ago. Neither my wife nor I had been there before, and we enjoyed seeing the sights. Need to get back there and see wine country though.
What is your favorite thing about working at Ellinwood + Machado?
Definitely the people. I feel like we are building a great group.
What are your favorite types of buildings to work on?
Structural steel
What inspires you most?
Solving problems. Seeing something that doesn’t work, and then making sure that it is resolved for future projects.
What is your favorite book?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
What is your favorite restaurant?
Hard to pick a favorite. I really like The Capital Grille though.
What is your favorite food?
A good steak
What is your least favorite food?
Mushrooms
If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
A great white shark…don’t have to worry about being another animal’s dinner.
Do you play any instruments?
I do not.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
That’s pretty difficult. I listen to a bit of a variety. If you forced me to choose, I’d probably go with Trent Reznor.
Who is your favorite artist?
M.C. Escher or Ansel Adams
Favorite television show?
Of all time – Breaking Bad.
Currently – probably Mr. Robot.
What’s your favorite quote?
“You want to pick on somebody? Pick on me. I’m a man! I’m 40!”
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I have no idea, but I’m going to hope it’s not the guy that played Sloth in The Goonies.
Last movie you watched?
The Accountant
Guilty pleasure?
Fantasy football
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My family
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
I know and have met some people along the way that have overcome some amazing things – illness, injury, addiction, family problems, etc. I honestly haven’t ever had to deal with anything remotely as serious, so I don’t really feel as though I’ve had anything to overcome that is worth talking about. I’ve been very blessed.
What is your greatest fear?
Failing as a parent
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I’d love to caddy for a PGA tour pro. Already know I can’t play at that level, so caddying would be as close as I can get.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
I’m Batman.
(Hey, you didn’t say it had to be true.)
How do you define success?
Setting a goal that requires a significant effort to achieve, and then achieving that goal.
Be on the lookout for more Spotlights on the EM Structural staff and check out our other staff members here: EM Structural Staff
EM Structural is hiring! If you’d like to join a fun, hardworking team check out our posted jobs on our careers page!
EM Structural would like to welcome Alvaro Concha to the team! As a recent graduate of Georgia Tech and former EM Structural summer intern, he will be based in the Atlanta office as a Project Engineer.
Congratulations to EM Structural‘s newest Professional Engineer, Jordan Rutherford in our DC office, who just recently passed his SE 16-hour examination!
EM Structural is proud to have launched this newly redesigned website to give a fresher view on the company and the projects that we are involved with!
A big thank you to Everest Agency for all their hard work with the redevelopment of the site!
The EM Structural office in Arlington, VA recently completed a move to a more spacious location. Stop by and see us in our new office in Clarendon Center.