aths, Raths & Johnson, Inc. (RRJ), a national engineering, architecture, and forensics consulting firm, located in Willowbrook, Illinois, is pleased to announce that Jeffrey L. Garrett, Ph.D., S.E. has joined the company as a Senior Consultant.  In this role, he will broaden the firm's structural engineering services and assist in expanding the market position of the firm's forensic structural practice. 

An accomplished structural engineer with over 35 years of professional experience in forensic structural investigation and new construction design, Dr. Garrett brings a broad career with depth in project leadership of a significant portfolio of work, client development, and insightful executive management.  

"Jeff's technical expertise, leadership, and management experience with both professional design and expert consulting firms are well suited to support RRJ's high level of expert consulting services and aligns with the needs of our legal and construction industry clients." said RRJ Principal, Kurt Hoigard, P.E., SECB. "His experience in the development and promotion of structural expert services will allow us to expand our depth and capabilities while supporting our firm's core values of technical excellence and service." said RRJ Principal, Kenneth Lies, AIA.  "We, along with our RRJ staff, value his thoughtful insight and assistance in achieving our corporate vision." said RRJ Principal, Otto Guedelhoefer, S.E. 

Throughout his forensic engineering career, he has specialized in the investigation and analysis of structures, structural components, and major collapses.  His technical knowledge and project portfolio covers construction and design defects, structural performance, structural integrity, and partial and complete failures.  His expertise extends to structural condition assessments, structural serviceability and integrity, wind-induced vibration issues, structural dynamic problems, and foundation and retaining structure design issues.  As an expert witness, he has provided litigation consulting and support on numerous high profile projects involving structural failures, performance and behavior, design professional standard of care issues, and building code and standards issues related to structural design and construction. Notable projects include: The Indianapolis Public Library Structural Investigation/Analysis, Indianapolis; Miller Park, Big Blue Crane Collapse, Milwaukee; Miami Dade Community College Garage Collapse, Miami; and the Oahu Interstate Highway Precast Bridge Collapse, Hawaii.

Prior to joining RRJ, he held senior management, structural investigation, and design positions at several major regional and global expert consulting and structural engineering firms located in the Midwest.  Most recently, he was President / CEO of CTLGroup, a 125-person global expert engineering and materials science consulting / testing firm.  Prior firms he worked for include Exponent, Chicago; Hansen Lind Meyer, Chicago; HDR, Omaha; and Jack D. Gillum & Associates, St. Louis.  

Dr. Garrett received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University and both a Master of Science in Structural Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Iowa State University.  He is a licensed Structural Engineer in Illinois and a licensed Professional Engineer in 11 states.  He is member of several professional organizations including the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, American Society of Civil Engineers, International Code Council, American Institute of Steel Construction, American Concrete Institute, and the American Bar Association Construction Forum.

For more information contact: RJJ www.rrj.com