Ready to Pass the Structural Engineering Exam the first time?

Brian McSweeney, PE, SE

Brian McSweeney, PE, SE is a licensed professional engineer currently practicing at a multidisciplinary firm, TLC Engineering, in the Orlando, Florida area and is an active member of ASCE. The first eleven years of his career were spent in the Washington, DC area at structural-focused consulting engineering firms. There, he spent his time designing structures ranging from single-family homes to churches, shopping centers, offices, and mid-rise post-tensioned concrete buildings, and also spent significant quantities of time working on historic renovation and adaptive reuse projects. Since moving to Florida, he has been actively engaged in the complexities of projects such as the design of entertainment and amusement structures and condominium buildings that reach 37 stories.

Brian attended school at the University of Virginia for his undergraduate degree and the Pennsylvania State University for his Masters of Science degree. As part of his MS, he focused his research in the area of fiber-reinforced polymer strengthening for concrete construction. In a series of internships during both degrees, he learned the value of skilled drafting and the basics of structural engineering.

He took the NCEES 16-hour SE exam in October of 2017 after being challenged by his supervisor to do so. The process of studying and taking the exam was a rewarding experience that greatly enhanced his knowledge of codes and material specifications, and provided additional confidence in day-to-day engineering. Having worked in areas where structures need to contend with high seismic and high wind forces, and having worked with all major structural materials in the course of his career to date (wood, masonry, concrete, and steel) as well as both conventional and deep foundations for buildings, Brian is passionate about training the next generation of engineers and, in this case, is excited for the opportunity to assist others in taking on the challenge of the SE Examination.

Robin Closs, PE, SE

Robin Closs, PE, SE has 15 years of experience as a structural engineer in designing and analyzing anything from pipes to multistory buildings in fields such as commercial, power, government, institutional, nuclear, industrial, and residential. She traveled to Long Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as part of a Code Enforcement Disaster Assistance Response Team. Her engineering knowledge in timber, concrete, steel, masonry, aluminum, and light gauge metal has helped her design new buildings, complete renovations and additions, demolish existing structures, produce mechanical platforms, and design appropriate repairs to roofs, walls, floors, and spillways.

Ms. Closs is the president of The Engineering Society of Buffalo and currently creates, writes, and edits their monthly newsletter. She also regularly spends time tutoring and greatly enjoys assisting young minds to see the benefits of engineering. She has also acted as the principal coordinator for 80 person volunteer teams, judged inventions, and mentored winners of engineering city competitions. Ms. Closs graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering with a BS degree in Architectural Engineering with a Structural Specialty. She is a licensed professional engineering in multiple states, is a licensed structural engineer in Illinois, and is certified as a NCEES Model Law Structural Engineer.