Resume - Tom Zgraggen, P.E.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Mr. Zgraggen has more than 35 years experience in Civil Engineering with major emphasis in Structural Design and Forensic Investigation. As principal of a Structural Engineering Firm for the past 24 years, he has specialized in design of individual building components to full systems and structures. He has provided many clients with forensic engineering (investigative) services where proper evaluation of problems and defects is required to facilitate repair or to determine damages. Mr. Zgraggen has extensive experience in wood frame construction, engineered wood products, truss components and structural wood and timber in design, forensic investigation, evaluation and remediation. He has designed light gage steel, steel frames and bents, precast concrete and foundations. He has worked with numerous builders and contractors and with different codes used throughout the United States.

Mr. Zgraggen provides extensive reports, surveys and data collection for collapsed, under-built or damaged structures. He provides litigation support for cases involving product defect, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death and insurance claim. In these cases he has served as a consultant or as an expert for both defendants and plaintiffs. Damage in such cases has resulted from poor construction or fabrication, product misuse and abuse, storm damage, wind damage, fire damage or damage from rot, decay, mold/ mildew or FRT treatment.

Mr. Zgraggen has performed numerous inspections of defects in various aspects of wood frame construction, including:

o Foundations and slab cracks and settlements,

o Crawl space issues,

o Wood framing concerns,

o Dips and sags in floors,

o Cracks and bulges in walls,

o Brick, stucco and siding veneer issues,

o Roof/attic framing concerns,

o Roof and floor truss repairs,

o Adverse water management and its detrimental effects,

o Exterior structures and retaining walls,

o In short, any item in a home or that may cause a structural problem.

His career positions include Chief Structural Engineer, General Manager-Engineering Division, Director of Technical Services and Principal. Mr. Zgraggen has participated in development of Code Standards. His organizational skills and management experiences couple with his extensive knowledge and hands-on work in the wood frame and engineered wood products industry to initiate efficient, responsible and productive project flow.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

University of Missouri-Rolla, MO

BS Civil Engineering (Structural Emphasis), 1975

University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO

MBA (Marketing & Finance Emphasis), 1981

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer in Georgia and 15 other states

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

1987-Present Aries Engineering, Inc.

1985-1987 Integrated Computer Graphics

1981-1985 On-Line Data, Inc.

1977-1981 Hydro-Air Engineering

1975-1977 Fluor Engineers & Constructors

1973-1974 Butler Manufacturing Co.

PRINCIPAL EXPERTISE

Structural Engineering
Forensic Engineering
Structural / Forensic Inspections & Reports
Determination of Root Cause of Problem
Engineered Wood Products Design
Roof Truss Collapses
Roof Truss Design & Repair
Expert Testimony
Remediation Plans & Specs
Wood Frame Construction

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC)
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)
APA – The Engineered Wood Association (APA-EWA)
Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI)
Georgia Component Manufacturers Association (GCMA)
International Code Council (ICC)
-formerly Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)
National Frame Builders Association (NFBA)
Structural Engineering Institute (SEI)
Truss Plate Institute (TPI)
Structural Building Component s Association (SBCA)
-formerly Wood Truss Council of America (WTCA)