Member Profile: Jeremy Bridwell, RRC, REWC, PE

By Rick Gardner

Jeremy Bridwell is an associate principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE) in the Dallas, Texas, office. He is a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC®), Registered Exterior Wall Consultant (REWC®), and Professional Engineer (PE).

He is currently the chair of the Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting Award Committee, just finished his term on the Education Committee, is serving on the Roof Drainage Course Development Task Force, and is a past officer and active with the IIBEC North Texas Chapter.

 

How and when did you get involved with IIBEC?

At the urging of Warren French, F-IIBEC, RBEC, PE, I joined IIBEC in 2007.

I was working for French, engineering on a large project in Louisiana from 2004–2007. When I got back to the Houston, Texas, area, I joined IIBEC.

 What do you do on a typical day on the job?

I am managing enclosure projects that range from investigating existing structures, new construction, litigation support, support for building owners, site visits, training, mentoring staff, and trying to keep my head above water. It’s a wide range of practices.

Which building enclosure project has been the most memorable?

I would say Oak Tower. It is a 28-story historic skyscraper in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, that required rope access to investigate the facade. We completed technical repairs to terra cotta and brick masonry aspects of the facade. Additional planned renovations were postponed due to a change in building ownership.

 Have you had any mentors in the industry? What have they taught you?

Warren was certainly one. He was very influential in my formative years. He is extremely knowledgeable and relatively demanding. It was a great combination for my growth and involvement in this industry.

Since getting to WJE, there is a long list of people that have been influential in my development. A few examples include:

• Michael Lee, who has helped with navigating the project management aspects of my career while also providing sound structural advice.
• Rich Koziol, AIA, NCARB with WJE in Chicago, who has vast roofing knowledge and the best attitude of anyone I know.
• Chris Giffin with WJE in Atlanta also has roofing knowledge as well as the IIBEC connections. Chris has been a good mentor for all things IIBEC.
• Bill Conley with the Conley Group, now Allana Buick Bers, got me involved with the IIBEC North Texas Chapter. My first meeting to attend was the meeting at which I was elected to the board!

Of course, there are lots of other folks as well—too many to mention. But I appreciate everything I have learned along the way and believe it is my responsibility to also give back and mentor others with what I’ve been taught.

What advice would you give today to someone starting out in the industry?

Read all of the books. Don’t wait for someone to give you the education, go get it. Go to all the education sessions. Get involved.

Most of my inter-industry networking has come from IIBEC meetings and chapter events.

 What benefit of IIBEC membership has been most valuable to you?

Being on that board got me involved in everything IIBEC, especially presenting. As the old adage goes, “the best way to learn is to teach,” and I think being a presenter forced me to learn a great deal of material in a relatively short period. I have also helped develop the “Professional Building Consulting” course and been a part of several other course task forces. Being involved in all this has been so good for me.

 What are some of your hobbies and interests?

My family and I have a little farm—16 acres up near Oklahoma border with Texas. We raise horses, cows, pigs, chickens, bees, dogs, and kids. I’ve enjoyed my new foray into butchering and meat curing, although there is still a lot to learn!

Golf is my second (maybe first) favorite way to spend the nonworking hours.

I also love everything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing!

 What three traits define you?

Loyalty, sarcasm, and humor.

 You’re happiest when?

When I win!

 Top three professional life highlights?

• Accidentally getting into the industry. Even after four—or five—years of college I did not know what I wanted to be when I grew up. This career kind of chose me.
• Getting promoted to Associate Principal at WJE.
• Receiving the IIBEC Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award

 What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

Find a way to make a career out of ranching or maybe open a restaurant/meat market.

 What would your last meal request be?

Every type of French fry—on a plate—and throw a big steak in the middle of it!

NFL or MLB?

Neither: PGA, I don’t really have a favorite golfer but recently got to meet Bryson DeChambeau, so for now he’s my favorite.

 Favorite show (streaming, cable, or network TV)?

The movies Idiocracy, Matrix, Out Cold, Lonesome Dove, Point Break, Batman Begins and the TV series The Chosen.