On December 21, Engineering News-Record Midwest named the 2018 class of Top Young Construction and Design Professionals under the age of 40 who have built extraordinary industry portfolios, donated significant time and expertise to serve their communities, and worked on innovative solutions that saved time and money on their projects. Among the 21 selected young professionals was R.E. Warner's own Matt Benovic and Jennifer Rowles Kalin.
Benovic was nominated for his crucial role in managing and delivering engineering design projects for several of our firm's top 10 clients. In addition to helping launch R.E. Warner's Mentorship Matters program and his active participation in industry organizations. Kalin was nominated for helping to grow R.E. Warner's government and commercial influence, with her projects totaling 33% of the firm's government and commercial market revenue in 2017. Jen has also grown our firm's philanthropy initiatives by coordinating fundraising efforts that annually raise more than $11,000. Continuing reading below the full profiles of R.E. Warner's ENR Midwest 2018 Top Young Professionals.
MATTHEW R. BENOVIC, P.E., S.E, LEED AP 32, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Matthew R. Benovic, P.E., S.E., LEED AP began his career as structural engineer working at several area firms as well as a Research/Teaching Assistant for Cleveland State University prior to joining R.E. Warner in 2011. Matt’s initial assignments were as structural engineer. As he gained experience and educational achievements, he became a project manager and senior structural engineer for a wide variety of single and multi-discipline projects in the automotive, chemical processing, nuclear and metals market sectors.
Matt has now successfully transitioned into the role of Senior Project Manager, managing projects for several of our firm’s top 10 clients. He is an effective project leader who successfully directs and manages multidisciplinary project teams. He has demonstrated his ability to execute projects from inception through completion within scope, schedule and budget, even managing multiple projects concurrently.
Matt has played a crucial role in delivering the engineering design of several automotive plant expansion projects. In addition to taking on increased responsibilities at the firm, Matt became a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio, a LEED accredited professional, and a registered Structural Engineer in the state of Illinois. He has also completed California’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Safety Assessment Program training (SAP) and is registered as a Safety Assessment Program Evaluator to be called upon in the event of disaster around the country.
Matt holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Ohio University. During his time at Cleveland State University, he worked as a Graduate Assistant and helped to develop a Weibull based statistical model for graphite to be used in the design of the next generation of nuclear power plants. In addition, as a Teaching Assistant Matt updated and helped develop the Strength of Materials Lab.
Career and Industry Leadership Matt has been with R.E. Warner since 2011, progressing from structural engineer to project manager and senior structural engineer, and now senior project manager. Matt has been responsible for the successful execution of projects from inception through completion, including scope compliance, schedule adherence, budget conformance and quality assurance. He demonstrates true leadership, effectively directing and managing project teams to deliver projects on time, within budget and with complete and total client satisfaction. Matt has served as project manager and structural engineer for both large and small projects at auto manufacturers, chemical process and energy companies, and steel mills. Most significantly serving as project manager for engineering and design of several automotive plant expansions. To enhance industry/company processes and outcomes, Matt has developed a thorough understanding of concepts used in structural engineering, including those used to develop truss analysis, steel reinforcement and equipment foundation design procedures. He has earned his PE and LEED AP certifications, and is a licensed Structural Engineer, which signifies he is proficient in structural design as regulated by rigorous, increasingly complex design codes/standards set by the government and professional associations. Matt has furthermore completed California’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) Safety Assessment Program training (SAP) and is a registered Safety Assessment Program Evaluator who can conduct safety assessments of buildings and infrastructure in the event of a disaster around the country. Matt not only seeks to further his own professional growth, he also helps others develop to their fullest potential and seeks to advance the profession overall. Matt has shared his experiences at local AIST and SEAoO events. Further, he has been instrumental in developing R.E. Warner’s Mentorship Matters program, serving as a committee president and member mentoring new professionals within our organization. In addition, he has been actively involved with The American Society of Civil Engineers Cleveland Section for many years and currently serves as President of the chapter as well as Chair of the Section’s Scholarship Committee and co-chair of the SEI Committee. Matt also serves on AIST’s Project Management Committee and Mill Building Subcommittee.
Community Service Matt seeks to make sustained contributions to our profession’s technical community, advancing the efforts of the business, education, and science sectors in Northeast Ohio. To accomplish this, he serves on professional association boards and committees, helping promote best practices and standards by sharing his own professional experiences. Organizations with which he is involved include the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Steel Construction and Structural Engineering Institute, the Association of Iron and Steel Technology, and the Structural Engineers Association of Ohio. Notably, Matt serves as president of ASCE Cleveland.
Under his leadership, the chapter is focused on completing a Northeast Ohio Regional Infrastructure Report Card to help educate the public on the economic impacts of aging infrastructure as well as building a sustainable scholarship fund to help aspiring civil engineers with the rising cost of higher education. During graduate school, Matt was the student design leader for the structural design of a school building and hurricane shelter in the farming village of August Pine Ridge, Belize. He then traveled there for the groundbreaking and foundation construction. Additionally, Matt led CSU’s Steel bridge team and still serves as an advisor to CSU’s Civil Engineering students.
Matt is committed to developing the next generation of engineers and mentors and engages with local students by participating in speaking engagements at school districts and coordinating job shadow opportunities. He also has been instrumental in the development of R.E. Warner’s Mentorship Matters program, serving as an active member mentoring new professionals within our organization. Matt maintains work/life balance by pursuing interests outside of engineering as well as nurturing his relationships with family and friends. Further, Matt and his wife are both engineers and enjoy spending time together volunteering for events such as “Engineers Make Water Resources Work” and ASCE student competitions judging.
JENNIFER ROWLES KALIN 38, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER AND ARCHITECT One of two female shareholders at R.E. Warner & Associates, Inc., Jen demonstrates superior leadership qualities and shows a true passion for providing exceptional client service. As a Project Manager and Project Architect, her ideas and energy help guide project teams with effective technical and strategic direction. Further, through establishing strong client relationships, Jen has helped to grow R.E. Warner’s government and commercial practices. In 2017, her projects alone have totaled 33% of the firm’s commercial and government market revenue. In her day-to-day work, Jen’s project responsibilities include complete coordination of pre-design programming and planning, conceptual design, design development and construction documents, plus overall project management and client service. Her portfolio spans public buildings and facilities, warehouses, maintenance/repair facilities, manufacturing plants, and office and administration buildings.
The majority of her experience is within the government and commercial arena, including a strong focus on on-call architecture and engineering contracts for various government agencies. Jen also provides construction administration services, including construction document review, bidding, analysis and award, testing and inspection coordination, shop drawing review, record keeping and reporting, change order review and processing, record status drawing preparation, project finalization and close-out.
Jen continuously looks for ways to exceed project goals and strengthen client relationships. She ensures all deliverables adhere to technical excellence and design best practices are followed. Her passion and energy are contagious, inspiring all who work with her to aim high. She sets goals for herself that are aligned with R.E. Warner’s mission and pursues them relentlessly, bettering herself and the firm along the way.
Jen is a Kent State University graduate and earned both a B.S. in Architecture (2003) and a B.A. in Architecture (2004). She is LEED certified (LEED AP BD+C), and in 2017, she passed all seven Architectural Registration Exams to become a licensed registered architect. Jen has successfully served as architectural designer, interior designer, project architect, construction administrator and resident architect, and project manager for both large and small projects totaling over 500 million dollars in construction costs.
Career and Industry Leadership Jen started with R.E. Warner in 2008. She has served as architectural designer, interior designer, project architect, construction administrator and resident architect, and project manager. As a project manager, Jen has been responsible for the successful execution of projects from inception through completion, including scope compliance, schedule adherence, budget conformance and quality assurance. She has demonstrated true leadership and proven her ability to effectively manage project teams by delivering her assigned projects on time, within budget and with complete and total client satisfaction. Her projects are consistently profitable for the firm. Because of these accomplishments, she was elected a firm shareholder in 2014. To enhance industry/company processes and outcomes Jen pursues project management and leadership professional development opportunities, as well as mentoring those around her. She is a graduate of R.E. Warner’s E5 Leadership Academy and has been identified as one of our firm’s next generation of leaders. She looks for ways to improve established communication and project management procedures to help team members and stakeholders stay connected with projects to achieve the best outcomes. She supports her team members’ work to build their strengths and the capacity of their practices. She listens to the needs of clients and uses this insight to effectively manage projects and build relationships. Furthermore, she shares her knowledge by authoring articles for R.E. Warner’s blog column. Jen embraces change and enjoys the uncertainty and challenges her projects bring. Jen has also worked to improve her skills and abilities by becoming a LEED certified professional for Building design and construction (LEED AP BD+C), and passing all seven of the Architectural Registration Exams (ARE) to become a licensed registered architect in the State of Ohio. Jen participates in many industry organizations. Currently, she is involved with Women in Manufacturing and the Association of Women in Architecture.
Community Service Jen is dedicated to making contributions to her community and profession. Although proud of the technical solutions she provides to our region, she is also committed to improving the lives of individuals. She is involved with groups and causes for which she has passion, including those that help kids and those that help women advance professionally. Jen participates in local industry organizations including Women in Manufacturing and AIA Cleveland’s Women in Architecture group, which are dedicated to empowering and promoting women within the architecture profession through advocacy, community outreach, professional development and mentorship. In addition, she works with the CareerZoo to help aspiring architects determine if it is the right career for them. Jen also serves on the architectural advisory board for Auburn Career Center in Painesville. Her community involvement includes:
- Grants and Special Programs Coordinator for Buckeye Elementary SchoolWorking with local schools to develop a community park in her neighborhood
- Working with local high school students on senior projects and providing job shadow opportunities
- Working with Clearfield County Vocational School students to design and build Santa's house
- Volunteering at End 68 Hours of Hunger
- Volunteering at Painted Wings Foundation
- As a kidney donor, participated in the National Kidney Foundation Walk
- Serving as the Heisley Park Home Owner’s Association Treasurer
Jen has grown R.E. Warner’s philanthropy initiatives by coordinating fundraising efforts such as Jeans for a Cause, Harvest for Hunger, The Cleveland Mayor’s Annual Holiday Food Basket Giveaway, R.E. Warner’s Annual Toys for Tots Benefit, and more. Annually, these programs raise over $11,000. Work/life balance is crucial to Jen. By finding ways to work “smarter not harder” and managing priorities, she is able to spend evenings and weekends focused on her family and doing things that help her recharge. Click here to read the article
ENR Midwest's 2018 Top Young Professionals.