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Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work‐in‐progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Jim Rotunno. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.

Mr. Rotunno is currently pursuing an Integrated Bachelor/ Master of Architectural Engineering degree in the Architectural Engineering program at The Pennsylvania State University with an expected graduation date of May 2010. His main focus is in structural engineering of building systems. While at Penn State Jim has maintained a 3.61/4.0 GPA and has been inducted into the Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society as well as the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.

 
Before entering into his recent academic pursuits Jim obtained a technical certificate from The New Castle School of Trades specializing in Construction maintenance and techniques. He put his skills to work as a young teenager and became a foreman for a well know local homebuilder. After three years Jim decided to venture out on his own and started his own contracting business, Rotunno Construction, which specialized in new home construction and remodeling. Jim owned and operated this business for nearly eleven years. During which time he was a member and served on the board of directors for the local builders association. Jim was also active as a member of Carpenters Local Union 268 where he practiced his trade as a journeyman carpenter.

Due to an on-the-job injury, Mr. Rotunno made the decision to change career paths, leading to a decision to pursue an AE degree at Penn State. Jim felt that with his prior experiences, aptitude , strong work ethics, desire to have things done right and belief that the foundation and structure of any building is the basis for all else; that he would be able to achieve his goals of someday being able to work on much larger structures and obtaining a P.E. license.

Click here to view a copy of Jim Rotunno's resume (PDF)