This month, WT Group is shining a spotlight on members of our engineering team. Each one exemplifies the essence of engineering - a blend of technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and the satisfaction of seeing ideas materialize into reality. With a passion for innovation and a dedication to excellence, they continue to make significant contributions to their engineering fields.
Q&A with CJ Starke, P.E., Project Manager, Structural Engineering
Walk through your educational background:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with an Emphasis in Structural Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville
Licensed Professional Engineer in 29 States including WA, WI, TX, MO, MI, CO, TN, KY, NV, IN, AL, OH, MN, ID, MT, KS, MS, OR, AZ, SD, IA, LA, FL, ND, WV, ME, PA, NJ, and SC
What do you like about Engineering?
You will never see the same thing twice, especially at WT Group. The wide range of projects keeps me on my feet, as there is always something new to learn. It’s fun to see the inner workings of things and to find out how structures function. Every building and structure is different.
Describe your career path:
I began my career in the telecommunication department as an intern drafting communication site plans for Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless in 2009. I then transitioned into the Structural Engineering practice area in 2016 drafting structural drawings and running calculations. In 2018 I transitioned to a full-time employee as a Project Engineer. Two years later, I passed the PE and was licensed in my first state, Wisconsin, followed by a promotion to Project Manager in 2022.
What exciting projects have you worked on?
Noteworthy projects include contributing to the restoration of the Aluminaire House in Palm Springs, CA, an iconic prefabricated metal building crafted by Albert Frey in 1930. I was also involved in Spaceframe Projects including the TRILITH Shipyard Pavilion and Clear Creek Welcome Center in Indiana. Other memorable projects include Tesla Service Centers, Valvoline Oil Change Facilities, and high-end residential homes in Palm Springs, California.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Watching people use and enjoy the structures that we help bring to life.
The WT Group provides clients with a single-source engineering solution to help maintain the integrity of all projects from start to finish. With over 50 years of experience, WT Group’s highly skilled engineering, design and consulting teams ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy in the most cost and time-efficient manner.
.jpg)
