VanDorpe Chou & Associates (VCA), is a proud partner with IAPMO ES in providing product reviews. We are proud of their exemplary track record and 30-plus year commitment to maintaining the highest caliber of services to their clients.

Their qualifications to providing superior product review includes their plan review services for more than 25 major jurisdictions, to date completing more than 20,000 plan reviews. They continue to foster and sustain strong relationships within the Building Official Community and are regularly consulted on a variety of Building Code-related issues. In addition, the principals of VCA have served as Civil or Structural Engineer of record (EOR) for in excess of 2,500 construction projects, which include more than 100,000 housing units and 7 million square feet of elevated concrete deck.

They have built a solid reputation in the building industry with not only developers, but with top-tier architects, contractors and subcontractors, which naturally are tough judges of performance and character. Builders such as The Irvine Company, Trammell Crow, BRE, KB Home and Avalon Bay Communities routinely consult with VCA for engineering services.

Their firm is unique in its ability to deliver engineering product reviews since their principals and technical staff are well seasoned with both technical and practical experience. In addition, their network of associates, which includes experts involved with cutting edge research and building code development, brings further technical leverage to our service. To achieve the highest quality of product review, multiple engineers are used to review each project to ensure the proper technical questions are raised. Where products are innovative or highly specialized, VCA will use its unique ability to acquire expert opinions. We believe this multi-level process is preferable to the single engineer model because products can span many fields of engineering.

Their fulltime employees include 15 Professional Civil Engineers (PE), 4 Licensed Structural Engineers (SE) and one Licensed Fire-Protection Engineer. Additional qualifications obtained by their staff include Certified Building Official, Plans Examiner, Special Inspector, Licensed General Contractor, LEED-AP and Energy Examiner. VCA Personnel are also involved in a variety of organizations related to the engineering, construction and the model building codes, including IAPMO, ICC, CALBO, SEAOC, AISC, ACI, PTI, NEHRP, AWC, NFPA, AISI, WEI, LARUCP, ASTM, NFPA, GBI, CSI, PCA, UL, NCMA, NAHB and BIA.

Their Principals are active in code development and are involved with various councils, associations and committees involved with writing model code provisions and amendments. In particular, Tom VanDorpe, SE currently serves on the SEAOC Seismology Committee, SEAOC Light-Frame Systems Committee, SEAOC Evaluation Reports Committee and the Los Angeles Regional Code Uniformity Committee. These committees have been deeply involved with cutting edge research and code change proposals that are deemed of high interest to practicing engineers. Mr. VanDorpe has written on the practical aspects involved with Code Transitions and is recognized as a contributor to the SEAOC Bluebook.

Tom VanDorpe, MS, SE
President and Senior Principal

Professional Experience
Since 2003 Mr. VanDorpe has been President and Senior Principal of VanDorpe Chou Associates, Inc., (VCA Engineers). VCA’s core business includes Structural Engineering, Fire-Protection Engineering, Structural Observation, Building Inspection and Building Code Consulting services. VCA has been heavily involved with residential and commercial construction since it was founded by Dan VanDorpe, PE and Robert Chou, SE in 1979. VCA currently employs over 30 people including 17 licensed professionals.

Mr. Van Dorpe has 20 years of professional experience in structural design and construction since joining VCA in 1989. He has been the engineer-of-record of numerous residential and commercial construction projects and has specialized in addressing challenging midrise construction projects, particularly “Podium” and “Wrap” developments, including “Type III Modified” construction. Tom is fortunate to help lead a world-class engineering group that has established themselves among the top-name developers and architectural firms in the industry.

Mr. VanDorpe is familiar with the enforcement of building code amendments and policies of many local jurisdictions. During his tenure with VCA, Mr. VanDorpe gained experience in Building Department administration and has worked as contract plan review engineer in over 20 local jurisdictions. In 2003 Tom VanDorpe was promoted to President of VCA Code and oversaw the firm’s 20,000th plancheck, which encompass all types of construction and occupancy.

Mr. VanDorpe serves on a number of committees involved with the development and interpretation of structural building codes. He is Past-Chair of SEAOC Light-Frame Systems Committee, and is also a member of the SEAOC Seismology Committee and the SEAOC Evaluation Reports Committee. Mr. VanDorpe has written several SEAOC Blue Book Articles and regularly speaks to industry groups. Mr. VanDorpe has been retained as an expert witness on several matters related to structural building codes, and also has been active in performing structural evaluations of existing structures. Tom served with Habitat for Humanity for 5 years and was the engineer-of-record on a number of their projects.

Education
Mr. VanDorpe received his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and his Masters of Structural Engineering from Cal State University, Long Beach. He is licensed in California, Arizona and Washington and has obtained certification as an ICC Plans examiner and Certified Building Official.

Other Activities
• Habitat for Humanity – Orange County, Site Development Committee (1992-1998)
• ICC Orange County Regional Code Uniformity Program, Committee Member (2000)
• ICC Los Angeles Regional Code Uniformity Program, Committee Member (2008)
• Southern California Regional Uniform Code Committee, Committee Member (2009)
• SEAOC Seismology Committee (Representing Southern California Section 2003-Present)
• SEAOC Testing Standards Committee (Representing Southern California Section 2009-Present)
• SEAOSC Building Code Committee, Corresponding Member, (2002-present)
• Chair, SEAOSC Light-Frame Systems Committee (2003-Present)
• Moderator, Panel Discussion on Rigid versus Flexible Diaphragms. 02/03
• Presenter, Light Frame Structures on Concrete Podium Construction, 02/04
• Moderator, Panel Discussion on Steel Moment and Braced Frames in Predominantly Plywood Shear Wall Systems, 02/05
• Presenter, Design of Wood Shearwalls with Openings, 02/06, 04/06
• Presenter, Practical Design Considerations for Wood-Framed Structures, 3/07
• Lead Author, Wood-Framed Design in Seismic Areas: Re-tooling for the 2006 IBC in Light of Current Design Practice, 9/07
• Presenter, Transition Issues for engineered Light-Framed Structures: 1997 UBC -2006 IBC”, 1/08, 3/08
• Presenter, Results on Laboratory Testing of Anchor Bolts, SEAOSC LA Dinner Meeting, 2010
• Past Chair, SEAOC State Light-Frame Systems Committee (2002-2006)
• Co-Author, “Cantilever Column Elements in Light Frame Shear Wall Systems LRFD”, 2003
• Co-Author, “Mixed Systems with Cantilever Column Elements in Light Frame Construction”, 2007
• SEAOC Seismology and Structural Standards Committee, (2004-present)
• Contributing Author, SEAOC “Recommended Lateral Force Requirements and Commentary” 2009
• Lead Author, “Anchor bolts for Light Frame Construction” (2009)
• Co-presenter, “Report on Laboratory Testing of Anchor bolts Connecting Wood Sill Plates to Concrete with Minimum Edge Distances.” SEAOC Annual Convention, San Diego, Ca 2009
• Panelist, Building Industry Association Construction Committee, “The Good the Bad and the Ugly of Podium Construction”, 2006
• Panelest, 20th Annual Building Industry Show (BIS), “Cost Effective Design”, 2008
• Co-Presenter, Making the Building Codes Work for Your Company, BIA/OC Government Affairs Committee, 2009
• Wood Education Institute (WEI), Member of Development Board. (2007-present)
• Vistage International 2002-2010
• Founding Member, Think Tank Roundtable, 2009
• Member ACI, AWC, PTI, ICC, IAPMO, SEAOC

Robert Chou, MS, SE
Senior Principal
Robert Chou, S.E., is the co-founder of VanDorpe Chou Associates, Inc. (also known as VCA Engineers) and has over 30 years of professional experience in the areas of Structural Engineering and Building Code Administration. As Senior Principal, he is actively involved in all aspects of the company’s operation, management and design production. Mr. Chou’s personal determination and strong work ethic have carried over to VCA’s internal culture and these positive attributes have led VCA to become a “go-to” service provider for top tier architects and developers. Under his leadership, VCA has grown to become a well-respected engineering firm, evidenced by VCA’s continuing relationship with some of the same clients for 20 years or more.

Since 1979, Mr. Chou has developed a strong reputation as a practical and creative engineer for a wide range of industrial, commercial and residential project types.

His experience with industrial type projects ranges from the design of satellite communication towers to the S-BMO facility for Rockwell International. He also spent years managing numerous projects for industrial clients such as Western Wastes Industries, U-Haul and US Borax. Mr. Chou has worked with many varied jurisdictions in the Western U.S, and his experience in California includes projects under the jurisdiction of the DSA and OSHPD. On the commercial side, Mr. Chou has been involved with development projects including restaurants, markets, hotels and shopping centers. Many of the hotels and motels near Disneyland in Anaheim, California, are products of his design.

In the housing sector, Mr. Chou has been responsible for the design of over 40,000 single family homes scattered throughout the western United States as well as many mixed-use type projects with residential superstructures over retail and parking facilities. In recent years, he has been engaged in many of the projects in the Warner Center (Encino, California), Platinum Triangle (Anaheim, California) and Central Park West (Irvine, California) residential communities.

In addition to working as a design engineer, Mr. Chou has also been deeply involved in the building code enforcement arena. Through the years he has helped various jurisdictions review plans for code compliance and has gained the trust and respect of local building officials.

In the technical arena, Mr. Chou has led the development of several proprietary software programs used by VCA Engineers in the design of rigid and flexible diaphragm structures. He has been co-author on several technical papers and is also sought after as an industry expert by building owners and municipal authorities.

Education
• BSCE University of Massachusetts at Lowell - Lowell, Massachusetts
• MSSE Columbia University - New York City, New York

Professional Accreditation
• Professional Engineer in the states of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah
• Structural Engineer in the states of California, Hawaiii and Nevada
Professional Affiliations
• Member of SEAOC (Structural Engineer Association of California)
• Member of ACI (American Concrete Institute)
• Member of PTI (Post Tensioning Institute)
• Certified PTI Inspector
• Certified ICC (International Code Council) Plan Examiner
• Certified State Disaster Service Worker

Abraham Blunda, PE, LEED AP
Vice President Mixed-Use Design Division

Mr. Blunda specializes in the structural design of podium and wrap developments of conventional and post-tensioned concrete construction. During his ten years with the firm, he has designed projects ranging from light frame buildings to multi-story steel and concrete structures. His design team has a consistent presence on multi million dollar projects throughout the west coast. His future plans as Principal concentrate on the development of new standards by creating effective processes and implementing new training.

Education
• MSCE from California State University, Northridge

Other Activities
• SEAOSC member

Shahla Soltani, PE
Vice President of Construction
Mrs. Soltani has over twenty years of design experience in structural engineering. Shahla has been with VCA for twenty years and leads a team of field engineers who work closely with contractors, inspectors and Building Officials to help resolve any field issues. Her team specializes in providing practical solutions with a quick turnaround time. Her goal as principal will be to continue the firm’s most important objective:
ensuring their client’s success from design through construction.

Education
• BSCE from South Dakota State University
• MSCE from California State University Fresno

Other Activities
• SEAOSC member

Mark Van Gaale, PE
Vice President Low-Density Residential Division
Mark Van Gaale P.E. has been employed with VCA for the past ten years. His designing experience ranges from single-family dwellings to multi-story, high-density residential projects. Mr. Van Gaale’s current projects include a three-story wood framed condominium project supported on a post-tension foundation in Orange County, a four-story wood framed townhouse project supported on a post-tension foundation in San Diego, and numerous tract home projects throughout Southern California.

Education
• BSCE from California Polytechnic University, Pomona
• MSE from California State University, Long Beach
Other Activities
• SEAOSC member

Daniel Van Dorpe, PE, CBO
Founding President
Mr. Van Dorpe is the founding partner of VCA engineers. Prior to starting the firm, he spent six years with the Federal Administration as a facilities engineer and thirteen years in municipal government planning, building and public works departments. He was the Building Official for the City of Anaheim before starting private practice and currently serves as a member of the Anaheim Budget commission, which he chaired for eight years.

Mr. VanDorpe serves on the board of directors of the Orange County Building Industry Association and is an active member of several building code organizations including ICBO, NFPA and ICC. He is a civil and fire protection engineer and is registered in California, Nevada, Colorado and Texas.

During his tenure with the FAA, Mr. VanDorpe was the project engineer for the expansion of aircraft navigation facilities at several major airports including Denver and Las Vegas international airports. As Building Official for the City of Anaheim he was responsible for issuance of all building permits and inspection in the City. Major projects included Disneyland expansion, the Anaheim Convention Center expansion and several thousand new homes and shopping centers in the development of Anaheim Hills.

Other Activities
• City of Anaheim Budget Commission, chairman for eight years
• Active in religious and social organizations
• Member of Anaheim Union High School, Building Industry Technology Academy

VanDorpe Chou Associates professional engineers holds licenses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Organization Memberships
VCA engineering maintains memberships in a number of professional organizations including the following:
• Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC)
• Post Tension Institute (PTI)
• Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIAOC)
• International Code Council (ICC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• California Building Officials (CALBO)