John G. Tawresey of Bainbridge Island was recently
named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
It’s the highest honor to
which a civil engineer can aspire; in the Society’s 165-year history only 688
people have been elected to the honor.
Tawresey was recognized
for pioneering work in structural masonry and in risk management. He was
inducted during the societys’ recent Celebration of Leaders Luncheon in New
Orleans, Louisiana.
Tawresey is a forerunner
in the research, testing and development of new systems such as panelized,
reinforced clay masonry, brick veneer/steel stud, thin-stone and aluminum/glass
curtain walls. He was one of the drivers behind the formation of The Masonry
Society (TMS) in the late 1970s and has served in numerous positions and
committees in TMS since its inception. He has been teaching a structural
masonry course at the University of Washington since 1984.
Society officials noted
that more than any other structural engineering leader, Tawresey served to help
structural engineers manage risk. He led the Structural Engineers Risk
Management Council, and initiated sessions at the ASCE/SEI Structures
Congresses that provide structural engineers the opportunity to share their
stories about professional negligence claims.
Tawresey’s career includes
more than 35 years in leadership at KPFF Consulting Engineers as their CFO.
Tawresey is also an
honorary member of The Masonry Society where he twice received the President’s
Award and Haller Award. He was named Professional Engineer of the Year by the
Washington Society of Professional Engineers in 2011, and received ASCE’s SEI
Dennis L. Tewksbury Award.
He holds a bachelor’s
degree in civil engineering with distinction and master’s degree in theoretical
and applied mechanics from Cornell University as well as a master’s degree in
business administration degree from the University of Washington.
Founded in 1852, the
American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil
engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society.
http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/tawresey-named-distinguished-member-of-american-society-of-civil-engineers/
