John Simpson: P.E., LEED AP, Director of Operations

Contact Information

John Simpson
P.E., Director of Operations
Rocky Mountain Institute
Attn: Built Environment Team
1820 Folsom Street
Boulder, Colorado 80302

John provides strategic corporate-, development- and building-level sustainability project management as well as research and consulting services at RMI. With a background in civil and environmental engineering, combined with a specialization in water resources, and extensive experience executing critical projects with multi-disciplined, multi-national teams; John provides input on the selection and operations of the projects within the Built Environment Team and across RMI.

Background

John Simpson has over twenty years of practical experience in engineering, construction, and related management in support of US Navy and Marine Corps’ missions. He supervised, led and performed a variety of technical duties involving designing, constructing and maintaining structures and facilities. Working in a professional team environment, he engaged in researching, developing, and evaluating new criteria and methodology in civil engineering. His duties included developing or approving technical specifications, design plans, and engineering standards.

As a member of the Civil Engineer Corps and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), John worked with his fellow officers to “Sell Sustainability to your Roadblocks.” These road blocks as defined by Dennis O. Talton, NAVFAC’s Sustainable Development Program Manager, included: buy-in, direction and implementation, awareness and knowledge, programming process, design process, energy team vs sustainable team, unified approach by the Military Departments, cost and building performance data and cost/benefits. In the end, John and his team overcame these roadblocks and completed the first building to be submitted for LEED certification in the Western Region of the United States Marine Corps.

Further, his work involved investigating and resolving unique and controversial civil engineering problems through applied knowledge of, and background in, mechanics, hydraulics, structures, materials, engineering geology, environmental science and policy, and surveying; and the management of activities during the construction phase of projects.

He utilized a thorough knowledge of business practices and contracts gained while training as a member of Federal Government’s Acquisition Professional Community. His experience included supervising, leading and performing various duties concerned with the procurement of supplies, services, construction, and research and development using formal advertising and negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration, termination and close-out of contracts. Further duties included the review of contracts, programs, policies, procedures and the development of acquisition strategies and direct or managed procurements.

Type of projects worked on in various countries (i.e. US, Spain Honduras, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq): bridges, roadways and highways, water lines and distribution networks, electrical distribution networks, sanitary sewers and water treatment plants, storm drains, pipelines, expeditionary airports, airfield hangers and maintenance facilities, refugee facilities, enemy prisoner of war camps, satellite communications facilities, deep excavations, heavy foundations, pre-engineered buildings, office buildings, schools, underwater construction projects, piers and causeways, nuclear submarine refueling and overhaul, board member on environmental assessments.

Past Projects and Duties

Directed 22 engineers, planners, special staff and maintenance personnel in the formulation of facilities plans and programs and in the development and review of military construction programs/projects. Maintained 89 facilities and support systems. Managed an $8.6 million annual operating budget and a $65 million construction program.

Set priorities and directed workload for 30 project engineers and 24 contract administration specialists in the execution of $150 million worth of annual construction projects.

Developed the operational plan for Navy Seabees in both the Pacific and Southwest Asian theaters of operation. Developed the Marine Engineer Group concept to support USMC engineering and logistics during time of war. Developed Seabee Engineer Reconnaissance Teams as part of the Engineer reach-back concept forwarded by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Conceived of, developed and proposed a composite non-standard bridging system to the Office of Naval Research (ONR). This bridge system research was accepted and funded by ONR to be conducted at the University of California, San Diego under a $1 million contract. Requested by the Society of American Military Engineers to present this research at their 2004 National conference.

Commanded a 189-person construction company. Supervising the execution of assigned construction projects. Ensured required state of readiness of unit personnel, equipment and material. Assigned as the Command Environmental Officer. Developed storm water prevention plans, HAZMAT handling and all other environmental requirements for deployments to Rota, Spain and Guam.

Education

Stanford University, MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005
University of South Carolina, BS Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1995

Qualifications

Registered Professional Engineer, (Civil)
LEED AP

Professional Affiliations/Recognition

Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Chi Epsilon
American Society of Civil Engineers
Society of American Military Engineers
Engineers Without Boarders
Water Resources Institute