Four design professionals from Thornton Tomasetti, Inc., the international engineering firm, have been named to Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Top 20 Under 40 list, which recognizes outstanding contributions of AEC professionals under the age of 40. The four engineers — Jeffery Elliott, Eli Gottlieb, Scott Nacheman, and David Weihing — were among the 140 engineers named in seven U.S regions.

A panel of independent judges rated the nominees, accounting for criteria such as professional excellence, leadership in their companies and professions, service to their professions and communities, honors and awards earned, and involvement in landmark projects. All submissions were scored, and those with the highest composite scores were named to the Top 20 Under 40. Thornton Tomasetti’s candidates were nominated by the office principals.

Thornton Tomasetti Honorees

Jeffery Elliott, associate, Dallas office:

> Elliott, 34, joined the firm in 2001, and serves as a project manager for the office’s large jobs.

> He has extensive expertise in designing healthcare, mixed use, hospitality, commercial and residential properties, in addition a number of higher education projects including several at Southern Methodist University.

> Mr. Elliott led a team of six in the structural design of Block 21, a million square-foot, 37-story W hotel and condominium tower. The building featured a spa, restaurants, garden terrace, office and parking facilities, a TV studio, and 2,000-seat theatre for TV music program “Austin City Limits.”

Eli Gottlieb, P.E., Principal, New York office

> 36-year old Gottlieb, the youngest principal in the firm’s history, attributes his success to a well-grounded education.

> One of his most challenging projects was the 48-story Times Square Tower, framed by subway lines on three sides.

> Developed designs for the Hudson Yards development on Manhattan’s West Side. He has been involved in this plan early on, including studies for the Olympic 2012 bid and Jets Stadium.

> Diverse work experience, ranging from healthcare facilities, sports projects, mixed use structures and educational facilities. He also has done extensive work in the fields of structural design, and analysis and review of a range of building types.

> An associate adjunct professor at Columbia University, where this term he will teach a master-level class on the design of large-scale structures.

> The Structural Engineers Association of New York has recently elected Mr. Gottlieb to its Board of Directors.

Scott Nacheman, MSc.Eng.,AIA, vice president, Chicago office

> Nacheman, 37 joined the firm in 1997. He coordinates Property Loss Consulting within the Midwest region. This practice includes emergency response and investigation and stabilization efforts.

> Serves as a Structures Specialist for urban research and rescue with the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA. He was one of the many emergency responders at the World Trade Center and Four Times Square scaffolding collapse in New York.

> Serves as the chair of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations’ Structural Engineers Emergency Response Committee. He is involved in certification training for engineers in ATC-20 and ATC-45 for post-disaster safety evaluations of buildings.

> Mr. Nacheman is a registered architect, a certified fire and explosion investigator, and a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

> Nacheman helped to restore the exterior of the Chrysler Building, a New York landmark.

Dave Weihing, S.E., P.E., vice president, Chicago office

> Weihing, 38, has a natural talent for listening carefully to architectural clients and with his structural insight, helping them turn their visions into reality. He is described by others as having the ability to mend gaps in communication.

> Mr. Weihing taught a local architecture team on One Bank of America Center, a 1.4 million square-foot, 32-story office building in Charlotte, NC, on the utilization of modeling.

> Helps clients to understand the benefits of building information modeling. Weihing provides training sessions for local architects on how to increase project efficiency and quality through modeling techniques.

The honorees agreed on a bit of advice for those following in their footsteps. Take advantage of the resources around you, and reach out to your co-workers. They are honored to be a part of a firm such as Thornton Tomasetti, which has a tremendous wealth of knowledge and expertise. The quartet mentions their co-workers in other offices, who have helped them solve problems and uncover innovative solutions.

Executive Quotes

Tom Scarangello, P.E., chairman, Thornton Tomasetti

“The fact that Thornton Tomasetti has four 20 Under 40 honorees is a testament to the dedication, resourcefulness, and talent of our leadership across the organization. The quality of our people is what sets us apart in this industry.”

Jeffery Elliott, associate, Dallas, Thornton Tomasetti

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities early on in my career to take on some big projects. Thornton Tomasetti does a wonderful job of allowing younger engineers to take greater responsibilities while giving them enough help to make sure they aren’t going to sink.”

Eli Gottlieb, principal, New York, Thornton Tomasetti

Of the Times Square Tower:
“It was a project relatively early in my career where I was able to take a leading role all the way through design and construction. I learned a tremendous amount on what it takes to be a successful engineer. My skill set isn’t tailored to one type of building. I have worked on all projects throughout the country, and internationally.”

Scott Nacheman, vice president, Chicago, Thornton Tomasetti

On emergency response:
“My search and rescue and fire service work definitely helps to sharpen my ability to evaluate situations more expeditiously when working under pressure. I am able to develop and apply situations in real time versus the more traditional engineering approach of running through various permutations and options first.”

On the Chrysler building:
“That’s something that stands out as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only did I get to work on such an iconic building and see how it was constructed close-hand, I had the unique experience of repelling down the exterior.”

Dave Weihing, vice president, Chicago, Thornton Tomasetti

“It’s amazing to walk down the street and see your work, and know you’re influencing life in that community for the next 50, 100 years. I truly enjoy what we do. To know that these people are going to give it their all makes you step up your effort too.”

Supporting Materials

> Engineering News-Record

About Thornton Tomasetti (www.ThorntonTomasetti.com)
Thornton Tomasetti is a leader in engineering design, investigation and analysis serving clients worldwide on projects of all sizes and complexity. With practices in building structure, building skin, building performance, construction support services and property loss consulting, Thornton Tomasetti addresses the full life cycle of a structure. We have supported clients working in more than 40 countries, with projects that include the tallest buildings and longest spans to the restoration of prized historic properties. Founded in 1956, today Thornton Tomasetti is a 550-person organization of engineers and architects collaborating from offices across the United States and in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

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