GNCB - Key Persons
Charles C. Brown has 40 years of experience as a structural engineer. His career includes design and oversight of a multitude of projects including educational facilities, hospitals, shopping centers, public safety, waterfront, residential, museums and historic restoration. Having worked on projects in over twelve states, Mr. Brown is currently registered in four states. He has been a principal at GNCB for 20 years and has led the firm as President for the last five years. Mr. Brown is involved in mentoring the next generation of AEC professionals and has served as an adjunct professor and lecturer on structures and construction engineering at institutions including the University of Hartford, Yale University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Job Titles:
- Associate at GNCB Retires
- Geotechnical Associate
After over 50 rewarding years of geotechnical engineering practice, the last 28 of which were with GNCB as an Associate, David Freed retired on December 31, 2023. In 1995, David established the geotechnical engineering practice that provided many of GNCB's clients, as well as his core clients, an integrated engineering service in foundation design. David's presence both enhanced the structural engineering staff with a greater understanding of geotechnical theory and practice as well as provided the firm's clients with a fortuitous combination of structural and geotechnical engineering services that lasted throughout the project. David's experiences at GNCB provided the basis for his paper "Benefits of In-House Collaboration of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Services" that appeared in the 2008 Geotechnical Special Publication No. 180 that honored his University of Florida professor, Dr. John Schmertmann. David's geotechnical work crossed a wide range of projects and foundation types; he developed an expertise in resolving construction problems. He will be greatly missed at the firm, but please join us in wishing David all the best in his retirement.
Eleanor Phetteplace joined the GNCB team in 2019. Ellie is currently on a leave of absence while she pursues her Master's of Science in Historic Preservation at Columbia University. She supports all three GNCB departments by conducting site investigations and providing designs and analyses for concrete, steel, masonry, and wood structures. Ms. Phetteplace is also involved in the creation of Construction Documents for new construction and existing structures, as well as in supporting construction administration through the review of shop drawings, submittals, and contractor RFIs.
After 54 years of Structural Consulting Engineering, James Norden retired on January 14, 2022. He was been an outstanding addition to GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. for the past 46 years, forty of those years as a partner in the firm. Jim was instrumental in developing our Historic Preservation department in 1995 and has mentored our next generation of engineers in this field. His structural engineering career spans across the United States and serves a variety of sectors including cultural, institutional, religious, residential, and specialty structures. Jim's Historic Preservation experience includes projects involving over 50 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a number of National Landmark sites.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager - Technical Services
James Schmittberger joined the GNCB Team in 2001. Mr. Schmittberger came to the firm with Computer-Aided-Design experience in the architecture and construction sectors making him a uniquely qualified CAD Specialist and a great asset during the formulation of Construction Documents. In addition to his responsibilities as a CAD designer, Mr. Schmittberger assists in field investigation and documentation for existing structures using photogrammetry and LiDAR technology. He operates GNCB's drone as an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot and assists the firm's engineers as a certified Boom lift Operator.
Job Titles:
- Engineer - Project Manager
Joshua Dobbs-McAuliffe joined the GNCB Team in 2005 following a six-year career in the United States Navy. He is experienced in the design and analysis of concrete, steel, masonry, and wood structures. His career spans many sectors including healthcare, educational facilities, and residential developments. Mr. Dobbs-McAuliffe is frequently involved in Peer Review projects, applying his extensive knowledge of design and building code requirements to the review of other firms' structural designs to ensure public safety, efficiency of design, and reduce problems encountered during construction.
In 2018, Kenneth Gibble retired after 46 years spent with the company. Kenneth Gibble has over 50 years of structural engineering experience and has been actively involved in professional and civic organizations throughout his career. He is certified as a mediator for construction disputes and has served as a reviewer of books on management topics for the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Gibble has received numerous recognitions for his involvement in the AEC industry and successful business practices including the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Structural Engineers Coalition in 2002.
Rhonda Spencer has been with GNCB since 1984. She is responsible for the daily operations of the firm including human resource procedures and directly handles all financial matters such as client billing, accounts payable, payroll and banking. Ms. Spencer is also involved with GNCB's marketing and public relations efforts.
Richard A. Centola has over 30 years of experience designing concrete, steel, masonry, and wood structures nationally and internationally. Mr. Centola has managed projects of all sizes in a variety of sectors and has extensive field experience on large construction projects. This allows him to offer innovative design and construction solutions for both new design and adaptive reuse projects. He is responsible for the firm's computer operations and was instrumental in converting the office from AutoCAD to Revit.
Job Titles:
- Engineer - Project Manager
Roxanne Brown joined the GNCB Team in 2001. In addition to her structural engineering experience, she has a varied background in the AEC industry including residential, preservation, and geotechnical projects. Ms. Brown's extensive design and construction knowledge are utilized for a number of GNCB's flood plain shoreline projects and luxury residential projects. She is experienced with field investigation, design, analysis, and construction administration for these uniquely challenging structures.
Job Titles:
- Founder of GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C
Rudi Besier was a talented engineer with good business sense. Engineering was always in Rudi's blood, having served in the Navy as a Seabee and dedicating over 30 years of his profession to practicing as a consulting structural engineer in Connecticut. In 1956, he joined the innovative engineering firm of Ketchum, Konkel, & Hasting (now Martin/Martin, Inc.) in Denver, CO. In 1961, he and the firm's founder, Milo Ketchum, opened an east coast office in Old Saybrook. Rudi found the CT shoreline to be a desirable place to settle and practice while easily being able to service our clients between New York and Boston. He bought the practice in 1965 and together with Kenneth Gibble, who became a partner in 1972, built a thriving structural engineering business. He established our company culture focusing on client satisfaction and the use of sound engineering practice to solve our clients' challenges. Rudi retired in 1994 and remained an important part of our practice and culture for many years. The firm carries on today as GNCB Consulting Engineers, PC.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Corporate Secretary
Shelly Micoletti joined the GNCB team in 2002. She is responsible for performing administrative duties for Principals, Engineers and Project Teams at GNCB. Ms. Micoletti also provides services for clerical duties, compilation of project proposals and assists with GNCB's marketing and public relations efforts.
Tom Curry, Jr. joined the GNCB Team in 2021. His experience includes design and construction administration for a variety of low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise building structures. Mr. Curry brings extensive knowledge of local and national building codes to the Team as well as experience with progressive structural systems. He is integral to GNCB's technical standards and quality assurance programs.