J Howard Johnson, P.E.

SUMMARY

Thirty-two years experience as a resident engineer, construction management, consulting in structural design and analysis, and as a plans reviewer.

WORK HISTORY

BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER
CITY OF ORLANDO                                                                                                                        2015 – Present
I am responsible for reviewing commercial and residential construction plans to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code. I have reviewed over 650 projects (not including many minor scope works), from roofing and window replacements to new commercial buildings. Reviews have included a 27-story apartment buildings, a
12-story hotel, and Universal Studios Volcano Bay.

OWNER/MANAGER
Garage, closet storage, and organization solutions small business                             2014 – 2015

RESIDENT ENGINEER/PROPERTY MANAGER
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ASSOCIATION                                                              1996 – 2013
(Department of Defense Dependents School)

The U.S. wanted to increase the capacity of the school by 40%. I oversaw a major expansion costing $5,800,000. The construction included 71,000 square feet of new floor area—two new wings of classrooms, a gymnasium, a warehouse, football field grandstands, various ancillary facilities, and major renovations.

  • Construction of high-security boundary defenses to strict standards set by the Department of Defense.
  • Implemented measures for stormwater control, asbestos control (similar to ICRA requirements), and
    structural integrity.

I was responsible for the oversight of daily operations and long term planning for the development of the facilities and maintenance. I managed contractors including overseeing contractor maintenance/construction activities, their appointment, evaluation, and replacement. I provided oversight of major projects from conception to completion. I
prepared value assessments and payment requests for works completed. Oversight included structural, mechanical, electrical, drainage, site development, safety, and quality control. Responsibilities also included responding to daily service requests, specifications review and development, estimates, development of schedules, planning and monitoring budgets, troubleshooting, and management of support staff. I appraised and kept inventories of real property and equipment. Orderly records were kept, and I retained a working knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations concerning labor, construction, maintenance, and leases. Interpersonal skills were needed for coordinating and maintaining good relations with boards, committees, consultants, contractors, government officials, and other stakeholders. I prepared monthly committee and board reports, as well as project reports on an as-needed basis.

SITE ENGINEER
The Modern Architect, Bahrain                                                                                                                   1995
Yousif Daoud Alsayegh, Bahrain                                                                                                                 1994

My duties involved construction management requirements regarding the building of the principal residence for the King of Bahrain (consisting of over 20 buildings on a site area of 60 acres), and for the principal residence for the brother of the King. I designed the structure for two villas.

PRIMARY STRUCTURAL ENGINEER / STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
Blum, Schumacher & Associates, Newberry, Florida, USA                                                  1988-1991
H.W. Keister & Associates, Jacksonville, Florida, USA                                                           1985-1987

Responsibilities included analysis and design of concrete, steel, masonry, wood, and steel-concrete composite structures, preparation of project specifications, site inspections and reports (including Florida designated Threshold Buildings), structural investigations, coordination of drawings preparation, review of shop drawings, estimation of fees, and client coordination.

  • Public school complex, $2.5 million, 37,000 sq. ft., reinforced concrete masonry, bar joists
  • Two public libraries, $3.5 million, 22,000 sq. ft., reinforced concrete, masonry, and wood
  • Akins Building (office building) for Koger Properties, $3.5 million, 72,000 sq. ft., steel
  • Shopping Center, $1.5 million, 25,000 sq. ft., reinforced concrete masonry and steel

PROJECT ENGINEER AND SCHEDULER
Tishman Construction Corporation of Florida, Orlando, Florida                                  1981 – 1983

The work initially focused on construction scheduling for Disney World’s EPCOT theme park. I was promoted to project engineer with responsibilities for inspections, review of submittals, review of requisitions, and producing cost update reports. I provided initial estimates and negotiated final payments on change orders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (not mentioned elsewhere)
On the more technical side, these include communication of technical information, site inspections, building damage inspections, blueprint reading, drawing field diagrams, drawing details to scale, evaluating quality, locating and conferring with experts, analysis of test data, and compiling of statistical data.

On the more managerial side, these include contract negotiation and writing, oversight of competitive bidding, tracking and evaluating progress, purchasing special equipment and materials needed to ensure installations are to a high standard, budgets, and preparing financial reports.

Continually throughout my career, problem-solving has been required. My other professional skills include computer skills (MS Word, Excel, MS Outlook, and web use), working as a team member, written and verbal communication (including presentations), conducting meetings (progress, negotiation, problem resolution), and advising clients regarding problems. Professional skills also include the ability to train personnel, to conduct field measurements; to create statistical diagrams or charts, and to respond to
client or public inquiries.

EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA      Master of Science                                                                          1984-1985
Concentration:                         Structural design and analysis
Published in:                            “Concrete International” & Computer Applications for Concrete Technology

N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY      Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering                                   1977-1981
Honors:                                      Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon

University of Chicago (Arabic Language Studies)                                                                               1991
Kelsey Arabic Program (Arabic Language Studies)                                                                 1991-1993
University of North Carolina at Asheville, (Liberal Arts)                                                       1972-1974

UNITED STATES ARMY
I served in the Finance Corps and received two medals and an Honorable Discharge. 1974 – 1977