People: Executive Team
Chris Poland
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- M.S. Structural Engineering, Stanford University (1973)
- B.S. Summa Cum Laude, Mathematics, University of Redlands (1972)
Registration
- California - Civil Engineer, 1977
License No. 27243 - California - Structural Engineer, 1980
License No. 2336 - Hawaii - Structural Engineer, 1983
License No. 5428
Awards
- 2002 H.J. Brunnier Award for Excellence in Design
- 2006 Alfred E Alquist Award for Earthquake Mitigation
- 2008 Seismological Society of American Joyner lecturer
Professional Affiliations
- Chairman, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Advisory Committee
- Chairman, Seismic Mitigation Committee, San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association
- Chairman, Strong Motion Advisory Committee, Strong Motion Instrumentation Program, California Seismic Safety Commission
- Chairman, Standards Committee on Seismic Rehabilitation, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Chairman, Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Structural Safety, Washington, DC
Joined the Firm1973
Projects
- Stanford University, Memorial Chapel, Earthquake Repair and Seismic Retrofit
- Principal Investigator of the ASCE project team for the update of FEMA 273, published as the FEMA 356 Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings, Now ASCE 41- Standard
- Hotel Del Coronado, Expansion and Renovation
Under Chris’s leadership since 1985, Degenkolb has grown 400% through deliberate, strategic planning and consistent operations. Chris’ career includes a broad range of structural engineering projects and a wide variety of professional activities. These include new design work, seismic analysis, structural evaluation, strengthening of existing buildings, failure analysis work, historic preservation, and research activities. He takes an active role in advancing the practice of structural engineering through public advocacy, participating in numerous professional associations, leading national advisory committees overseeing earthquake engineering programs, regularly publishing technical papers, and presenting his findings in professional forums. Additionally, he has participated in and led the development of state and federal standards related to earthquake mitigation and served as the lead author of a recent report by the National Academy of Engineering.
Little Known Fact:
I’ve known my wife since fourth grade, and spend my spare time as an active member of our Presbyterian Church and building and renovating houseboats and houses. If I weren’t an engineer, I’d be a teacher.
Client or Design Philosophy:
I cherish the role of earning the right to be my clients trusted adviser. Whether collaborating on the design, crafting a seismic mitigation program, or preserving a historic structure, I take the time to be fully integrated in their process and understand their ways. It is the only way to fit the pieces together so that they meet the needs and expectations of the project.
Virtues:
Honest, forthright, creative, inquisitive. My purpose in life is to help people be successful.
Vices:
Being involved in everything I get near, whether it has to do with engineering, building houses, recreation, family projects, community activities!
Favorite Project Story:
Every project has a favorite story, but the one I tell most has to do with the Stanford Memorial Church. Destroyed and rebuilt in 1906, the church suffered some serious damage in 1989. I was called in to figure out what happened, repair the damage, and in the process strengthen the building so it would not happen again. We helped the university put together a perfect team to do the restoration and went about trying to figure out how to fit into the 6 million dollar budget. One day, the team met with the Co-Chairs of the fundraising committee, Mel Lane of Sunset Magazine and David Packard of HP. Their message was startling and I don’t think I will ever hear one like it again. They managed to raise $10 million and wondered if we could figure out how to spend it! If you visit the university, you’ll see the magnificent result.
Special Interests:
Golf, skiing, water skiing, mountain biking all best done with my wife, kids and 6 grandkids.