Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 

J.G. Soules, P.E.

Distinguished Engineer

2009

Degree

B.S. Civil Engineering – 1979

Degree

M.S. Civil Engineering – 2009

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 2009

J.G. "Greg" Soules is a Principal Civil/Structural Engineer for the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company (CB&I) in The Woodlands, Texas, a worldwide engineering and construction company.

Greg was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1957 eventually moving to Hamilton, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1975. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech in 1979, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston in 1991, and will receive a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech in May 2009. While at Texas Tech for his undergraduate degree, Greg became involved in campus life by becoming a member of the "Goin’ Band from Raiderland" and a member of the national service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. It was in Alpha Phi Omega where he was introduced to his wife, Karen Grisham.

After graduating from Texas Tech University and spending a short time employed by the Texas Department of Transportation, Greg was hired as an engineer trainee in 1980 by CB&I. As an engineer trainee, Greg progressed through the CB&I training program serving in various assignments in engineering, manufacturing, and as part of construction crews in various refineries and chemical plants in Texas. After completing his field assignments, Greg was assigned to CB&I’s corporate headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois in 1981. While in Oak Brook, Greg gained extensive experience in the design of the plate structures designed and constructed by CB&I. He designed these structures for clients and locations all across the globe. In 1983, Greg received the first of his 20 professional engineering licenses.

In 1986, Greg was assigned to CB&I’s Houston Engineering Office where he progressed from Senior Design Engineer, to Engineering Team Leader, to Design Engineering Manager, and finally to Principal Civil/Structural Engineer. In these roles, Greg acted as the Engineer of Record for over 240 projects within the United States and was responsible for the engineering of numerous projects in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the Caribbean. During this time, CB&I sponsored Greg’s membership on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7 Committee, which produces the standard "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures." Service on the ASCE 7 Committee eventually led Greg to become highly involved in the development of earthquake design provisions for industrial structures. Greg led the introduction of earthquake design provisions for industrial structures into the 2002 Edition of ASCE 7. Greg is currently the chair of three committees responsible for defining the earthquake design provisions and design procedures for industrial structures and is a nationally recognized expert in the seismic design of industrial structures.

Having earned the rank of Eagle Scout, Greg currently serves in several adult leadership positions within the Boy Scouts of America. His service to the Boy Scouts has been recognized recently by being awarded the District Award of Merit and elected a Vigil Honor member in the Order of the Arrow. Greg recently completed six years as a member of the Advisory Council of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas Tech and is a past chair of the Advisory Council. Greg is also a member and past chair of the Texas Tech Civil Engineering Academy.

Greg and his wife, Karen, reside in Spring, Texas with their two children: Christine and Michael.

It is a privilege and a pleasure for Texas Tech University’s Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering to select this outstanding alumnus for honor and recognition. J.G. "Greg" Soules is declared a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

Return to the Past Winners page.