Jerry Barbera

Engineer of the Year 2002, President's Award 2001, 1993

Jerremy J. Barbera attended San Bernardino Junior College 1962-63 with a focus on science and engineering, and worked on construction projects in the summers. A stipend from ASCE San Bernardino supported his studies. He transferred to UCLA, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree (1966) in general engineering, with summers as an intern with the US Corps of Engineers doing practical soils mechanics testing of flood control channels, soils and concrete, and as a quality control inspector for the major construction of a concrete open flood control channel.

In his first post-graduate job, Jerry worked for the Los Angeles County Engineer, where for 2.5 years he designed and analyzed storm drain systems, then joining the Building and Safety Division where he worked in various positions in the downtown LA and regional offices. He transferred to the Carson District office to work on plan review and to run the LA County District Office in West Hollywood.

In 1980, Jerry and his wife Erika relocated to Seattle, where he took a position with the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) as Regional Engineer in Seattle. He worked there for 20 years, assisting many in the NW and around the world and advancing clear, practical, and technically sound building codes.

In 2000, he became a building code consultant, initiating and organizing the Port of Seattle's Building Department for his principal client the WA General Administration Division. He went on to serve for 12 years as the Department's Assistant Director, engaged in the Port's then-major South Terminal Expanion and hundreds of other construction projects. He considers this work the pinnacle of his career.

Jerry chaired the SEAW Wind Committee culminating in its formation of the Handbook Committee, and assisting in the publication of the 2002 Handbook of a Rapid-Solutions Methodology for Wind Design.

In 2010, PSEC recognized Jerry Barbera as Engineer of the Year, and ASCE honored him as Government Engineer of the Year.

Posted April 2012