Kerry S. Lee, M.B.A., P.E.

Background

Mr. Lee is a recognized expert in civil, structural, and architectural engineering and provides expert solutions to large, complex, and multi-discipline projects and disputes. He brings to an investigation a unique combination of experience in forensic engineering and evaluation, civil and structural design and repair, and building envelope assessment, which enables him to provide expert solutions to large, complex, and multi-disciplined forensic projects.

Mr. Lee also possesses a wealth of experience in the evaluation of failures, the assessment of the extent of damage, and the development of scopes of repair for thousands of commercial, industrial, single-and multi-family residential, institutional, educational, athletic, agricultural, and healthcare projects due to design defects, construction defects, partial and complete collapse, foundation movement and failure, defective grading and drainage, construction vibration, fires and explosions, hail, windstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, among many others.

His projects are performed for a wide array of client types including attorneys, insurance companies, contractors, property owners, and property managers. An established expert in civil engineering, structural engineering, construction defects, design defects, and the evaluation of building envelope installations and failures, Mr. Lee has provided expert testimony in numerous depositions, mediations, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and trials over the course of his career and has been qualified as an expert in multiple state and federal courts.

Mr. Lee has also published multiple papers on forensic investigation, delivered numerous presentations to a wide variety of professional and industry audiences, and co-authored a chapter in an engineering handbook for the evaluation of hurricane damage. Mr. Lee also brings a background in civil and structural design on projects throughout the United States and in locations throughout the world, and he also has experience in constructability and in a construction and project management capacity, which infuses first hand, real world knowledge of construction projects into his forensic investigations.

What is your most interesting project or accomplishment?

Wow, that is difficult to narrow down after more than 30 years in the business! However, my biggest accomplishments of all are convincing my beautiful wife to say yes several decades ago and in seeing our two daughters grow into amazing people that are a credit to society. Professionally, I would have to say being recognized as an expert in my field and being selected to serve on the External Advisory Committee for the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering department at my Alma Mater, The University of Texas at Austin.

What do you love about your job?

Everything! I am truly passionate about forensic engineering and providing our clients with great customer service and effective solutions to their problems.

Why did you follow your career path?

I have always loved solving problems and I am a Mr. Fix It type of person by nature – and I love construction projects and working with people to find solutions to design and construction problems. One of my unique qualities is that I was also always very interested in the legal profession and seriously planned to enter law school when I transitioned from design engineering to forensics. I guess I am just a very curious person, which is extremely helpful in this career!

What are your interests outside of work?

Of course, my wife and two daughters are number 1 on the list. I would add travel, golf (badly), Texas Longhorn football, and of course, my professional football team, the Denver Broncos.

Who or what motivates you?

I am motivated by my curiosity and the desire to serve people in a respectful and professional manner.

Who or what do you love to work with?

I really love to work with curious people, and of course any opportunity to work with my family and dog are always a bonus!

Favorite Quotes:

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

 

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

Years of Experience:

I graduated from UT in 1990, so over 35 years now.

Awards, associations, organizations, etc.:

I am a member of numerous professional organizations, but have been most involved and served at the Chapter and State level in the Structural Engineers Association of Texas. I am currently enjoying chairing the Committee on Forensics Practice of the ASCE Forensic Division and being a member of the steering committee for the annual Forensics Engineering Conference at the University of Texas at Austin.