KEYSTONE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS - Key Persons
For anyone in this city who has spent some time in the architectural, structural engineering or construction industries, you would have likely at one point crossed paths with Bill Mayer. Sadly, Bill unexpectedly passed away on March 25, 2021. Some of you reading this have been lucky enough to work with Bill. Maybe some have heard his name mentioned. Could have been in praise or sometimes in vain . When it came to putting a set of drawings together, Bill had an unmeasurable amount of knowledge. Perhaps this came from his vast work experience and his hardnosed, steadfast, and dedicated personality.
Through 50 years of service, Bill was never unemployed and made a life-time commitment at a respected list of employers. Most likely, Bill didn't know when he entered structural drafting school right out of high school the number of engineers he would challenge and influence over his lifetime. After graduation, he went to work for a well-known structural engineer in Pittsburgh named Lee Cook. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served his country in Vietnam. He used his drafting and design talents in the 41st Engineering Company Port Construction branch of the Army. After discharge, Bill returned to work for Lee Cook followed by Dotter Engineering, RM Gensert, Wilhelm and Kruse Fabricators, Astorino Architects and finally landing at The Kachele Group/Keystone Structural Solutions. If you ask someone what an engineer is, most would probably tell you they are problem solvers. Or even in some cases, problem preventers. Maybe they would tell you an engineer is someone who is very analytical and detail oriented. This was certainly Bill's mindset. Although Bill wasn't an engineer by trade and education he certainly could have been or in our eyes was one. Most projects began in our office by giving Bill a set of the architectural drawings and having a brief conversation with the engineer on the project. From there, Bill would do his "thing". Bill would study the drawings and compile a list of questions. Actually, the list of questions wasn't always necessarily a list of questions but sometimes a list of things that weren't addressed or properly conveyed. When it came to preparing construction drawings, he absolutely had to make sure all dimensions added up, all edge of slabs were indicated and dimensioned, all details were drawn and basically no stone left unturned. Bill would then methodically layout and detail the building. We used to say, "Bill we are not making an instruction manual". Bill would relentlessly grill architects and engineers on their drawings to the point where often you were angry with him. One client commented, "I didn't really work the project unless Bill and I were mad at each other at the end". Although this might have been true, most often the next line from someone was "I'm sure glad Bill pointed out this issue. He really saved me". Those who worked closely with him realized what a true value he was to a project. Bill was a problem preventer for sure. We understand during his days working for a steel fabricator he was known as the "iron fixer". Bill was also the CA guy in the office. Most engineers do not look forward to checking shop drawings, but Bill loved it. If he wasn't checking shop drawings on the conference-room table it was his dining room table at home. Nobody is perfect but Bill's reviews were pretty darn close. Bill was great at his job, but he was also a good coworker. Someone you could share a personal story with, someone who could offer advice, someone to confide in or someone that could make you laugh. Bill wore his heart on his sleeve. Bill's workday usually began at 6 am, or sometimes even earlier. What this meant to his coworkers was that he already have an hour or two head start on you to compile his list of items for you to deal with. He was a dedicated employee. He cared about what he was doing and certainly wanted to make sure our end product was safe and buildable. We all heard him often say "I couldn't sleep last night. I was thinking about this job all night. Did you do this or that" and he always ended his sentences with his trademark "You know what I mean". Another quality that's desirable in a coworker is to be able to learn from him or her to better yourself professional and personally. When you worked with Bill you also were educated by Bill. He was a teacher. You learned something new, something clever - often a creative way for something to be constructed. Bill was the man behind the curtains. Most often the architect or engineer gets the credit for their design but on projects that Bill had has hands in, he deserved the credit. Bill will be missed.
Job Titles:
- Project Engineer
- Senior Level Project Engineer
Brad joined the KSS team as a Project Engineer in May, of 2019. With nearly two decades of structural engineering experience he has worked on all types of projects, including new buildings and additions/renovations/restorations of existing structures. Brad has designed structures using concrete, steel, masonry, wood, and other materials. He is capable of providing all aspects of project delivery, from schematic design to construction administration. Brad enjoys being able to work on many different kinds of projects. Some of his favorites have been the new hospital design at UPMC Monroeville, the renovation/restoration of an existing structure for Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, and the new First Presbyterian Church of Girard. Most of all, Brad appreciates developing relationships with clients, and being able to help them to achieve their vision. When not working, Brad loves being with his family. He coaches his daughter's soccer team and his family fosters dogs in need. He also loves music, going to shows with friends and playing guitar around a camp fire.
Brittani joined KSS in 2016. She currently is one of our Project Engineers. Brittani is a Notre Dame graduate for her undergrad and Masters Degrees. During her undergrad Brittani helped design and construct a footbridge in Nicaragua. After graduating, Brittani spent time in Uganda where she helped in the design and construction of several primary schools. We consider Brittani as our resident Excel Spreadsheet guru! Brittani enjoys working on all aspects of projects and producing a drawings package she is proud of. Outside the office, Brittani enjoys spending time in the sun, cross-stitching and reading. Most of all she enjoys making her children laugh.
Jeff was the first person to work for the Pittsburgh office of The Kachele Group in 1996 as a consultant. Jeff currently is the Senior CAD Manager at KSS. Jeff is a graduate of Triangle Tech. Upon graduation Jeff worked for New Port News Ship Building Company. Later, Jeff worked at DRS Architects for many years and eventually became an independent consultant. He worked as a private consultant for several prominent Pittsburgh architects such as Don Gmitter, Sandra Hundley and several other architectural firms. While working under these architects, Jeff gained experience on the architectural side of design. He has brought this experience to KSS and is an invaluable second set of eyes during the design phase of projects. Jeff has an abundance of knowledge in computer aided drafting. He has authored many automated add-on programs for both AutoCad and Revit and has helped developed several of the KSS drafting standards. Jeff's experience and his efficient usage of computer aided drafting programs is what helps enable KSS to provide efficient and accurate drawings. Outside the office, Jeff enjoys mountain biking, wood working and spending time with his wife Carolina and their Bernese Mountain Dog Elsa.
Job Titles:
- Senior Level Project Engineer
Marc joined us in 2014 as a project engineer. He is responsible for managing all structural aspects of a project from start to finish. Responsibilities include design and detailing of steel, masonry, concrete and wood structures, specification writing, structural BIM implementation, client coordination, shop drawing review and construction administration duties. He has performed structural design for commercial, retail, educational, residential, prison and medical facilities. He has been involved with new construction projects as well as renovation and forensic projects.
Marc's favorite type of work involves multi-story steel frame buildings in which he is able to implement BIM and 3D structural design software to design and detail construction documents. My favorite projects while at KSS have been Chartiers Valley High School/Middle School, Riviera at PTC and Boardwalk I & II. Other interesting projects include California University of Pennsylvania Convocation Center, Middlesex College South Hall, Latrobe Education Center for Westmoreland County Community College, Somerset County (NJ) Social Services Building and the Operations and Maintenance Building for Alcosan. When not at work, Marc enjoys spending time outside including fishing, camping, hiking and coaching softball. He is a self-proclaimed handyman and has been :"renovating" his home in one way or another for the past 15 years.
Mark has over 23 years of engineering experience. He began his career with The Kachele Group after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University. In 2013, the Pittsburgh office of The Kachele Group became Keystone Structural Solutions where Mark has continued his career. Although Mark provides consulting design services, he also manages project scheduling in the office, is the lead in-house technical adviser for our engineering designs and is an associate in the company.
Mark prides himself on the relationships he develops with his clients as well as providing clients with unique and creative solutions to challenging design issues. Mark is a registered professional engineer in 15 states consisting of Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Caroline, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Some of Mark's favorite types of projects are restorations of old buildings, forensic investigations, providing expert witness testimony and designing wood structures. Outside of the office, Mark volunteers as a member of the South Fayette Board of Standards as well as coaches a travel softball team and soccer team.
Job Titles:
- Senior Level Project Engineer
Mark joined KSS in September, 2003. More than anything, I enjoy working on the high end residential projects that we do. These projects really seem to allow architects the most freedom, and generally require creative and challenging structural solutions.
Having said that, my favorite projects that I've worked on since I've been here are 151 Firstside and the Robert Morris University UPMC Events Center. Both were challenging in their own way, but I really like the idea of contributing to our city's skyline with 151 Firstside, and as a resident of Moon Township, contributing to it's "skyline" with the new basketball facility for Robert Morris University. On a personal note, anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy talking about my son's hockey teams and my dog. In either case, sometimes the stories are happy and fun, and sometimes, not so much.
Job Titles:
- Senior Level Project Engineer
Sue joined us February 11, 2013. She enjoys the challenge of smaller, non-traditional projects working with specialty buildings and components, as well as larger more traditional building projects.
Wafaa joined KSS in 2021. She started her career working on Concrete buildings design projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Middle East. now she enjoys working on buildings design using steel, wood and Masonry. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and music.