Who We Are

Principals

KPW Principals Jim Passaglia, John Westphal, and Pardeep Jhutti bring over 75 years of collective experience, enthusiasm, dedication, and ingenuity to our practice. Together, they form a team of talented designers, expert engineers, and overall problem-solvers. They share responsibility for oversight of all KPW projects, as well as human resources, marketing, and information technology.

Associates & Sr. Staff

Behind every great leader stands an experienced support team, a group of qualified individuals whose technical knowledge of industry standards provides the foundation for success. KPW Associates & Senior Staff increases the strength and depth of the KPW team. Their combined leadership and management of KPW staff ensures that each project incorporates multiple levels of oversight, thus surpassing project-specific technical requirements, while simultaneously providing well-coordinated and constructible designs.

Leadership Team

JAMES PASSAGLIA

Principal

JOHN WESTPHAL

Principal

PARDEEP JHUTTI

Principal

DAVID McMILLAN

Vice President

JONATHAN WONG

Vice President

JOSEPH LIBERMAN

Vice President

BRYLLE CABACUNGAN

Associate Vice President

SANDY MATTHEWS

Associate Vice President

STEVE PASSAGLIA

Associate Vice President

What We Do

Project Approach

KPW works within a culture of continuous improvement. We always strive to further our knowledge, ensuring that our approach to each project aligns with current industry practices and emerging standards. Researching new ideas and materials that lessen costs and environmental impact is part of our fundamental philosophy of best practices. Our in-house educational programs ensure that our staff continues to improve and advance their technical skills and knowledge. We support and encourage all employees to reach their full potential as professional engineers and designers.

Services

Structural Engineering

  • New Buildings & Structures
  • Additions, Alterations, Renovations, Tenant Improvements
  • Structural Repair
  • Structural Systems Development
  • Structural Surveys, Investigative Studies, Due Diligence
  • Blast-Resistant Designs for Industrial & Government Facilities
  • Master Planning
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Value Engineering

Sustainable Design

  • Smart Application of Green Concepts
  • Optimal Framing Techniques
  • High Volume Fly Ash / Slag
  • Recycled / Salvaged Structural Elements
  • Solar Power Design & Engineering

Risk Studies

  • Seismic Risk Assessment
  • Benefit / Cost Studies
  • Probable Maximum Loss Studies

Seismic Engineering

  • Seismic & Structural Criteria Development
  • Seismic Evaluation, Restoration, & Historic Preservation
  • Innovative Design including Base Isolation & Passive Dampers
  • Earthquake Protection Technology

Structural Peer Review

  • Structural Design Checks & Peer Review
  • Academic Projects & Peer Review (DSA)
  • Healthcare Projects & Peer Review (OSHPD)

Project Delivery Methods

  • Traditional Design-Bid-Build
  • Fast-Track / Accelerated Design
  • Design-Build

Building Information Modeling

  • BIM / Revit Experts
  • Clash Detection / Coordination

JAMES PASSAGLIA, SE, SECB, Principal

Education

  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 1985
  • University of California, Berkeley
    • Certificate of Construction Management, 2007

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 1994
  • Utah
    • Structural Engineer, 2008
  • National
    • Structural Engineers Certification Board

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • LEAN Construction Institute
  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute

A founding partner of KPW Structural Engineers, Jim Passaglia has 38 years of professional experience in a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, corporate, life sciences, advanced technology, and academic. With previous experience in construction, Jim applies an understanding and knowledge of constructability and cost-effective solutions throughout all project phases. His primary focus has been on complex projects where thorough and meticulous coordination between team members is essential. Jim is an active participant in the structural engineering and construction management community, offering his talents for nonprofit and volunteer projects, such as SEAONC's Rebuilding Together event in San Francisco.

jim.passaglia@salasobrien.com

JOHN WESTPHAL, SE, LEED AP®, Principal

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 1993

Registration | Accreditation

  • Arizona
    • Structural Engineer, 2018
  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2002
  • Nevada
    • Structural Engineer, 2008
  • National
    • Structural Engineers Certification Board
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
    • Director, 2008 - 2010
    • Treasurer, 2009 - 2010
  • DSA Academy

Founding Partner, John Westphal, has provided design and management leadership over 28 years on a wide variety of project types. His primary areas of specialization include academic, life science, healthcare, civic, corporate, commercial, and retail. John has extensive design-build experience and has successfully incorporated sustainable building design concepts into the firm's green projects. John actively advances the practice of structural engineering, engaging in professional associations and presenting at professional forums, including the State of California seismic safety program. He has lectured on the use of BIM as an increasingly common methodology addressing both, technical and contractual, areas of concern.

john.westphal@salasobrien.com

PARDEEP JHUTTI, SE, LEED AP®, Principal

Education

  • Stanford University, Stanford
    • M.S. Structural Engineering, 2005
  • University of California, Irvine
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 2004

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2011
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Lean Construction Institute
  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
  • State of California OES - SAP Evaluator
  • DSA Academy

Pardeep is an innovative and driven structural engineer with 17 years experience. He joined KPW in 2014 and specializes in various sectors, including healthcare, academic, civic, and hi-tech sectors. As an industry leader in Integrated Project Delivery, he has over 10,000 hours of experience working in highly cohesive, lean, and efficient design and construction teams. As an advocate for collaboration, Pardeep embraces new tools and technologies to serve his clients better.

pardeep.jhutti@salasobrien.com

DAVID McMILLAN, SE, Vice President

Education

  • University of Arizona, Tucson
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 1992

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2013
  • Maryland
    • Professional Engineer, 2022
  • Missouri
    • Professional Engineer, 2022
  • Oregon
    • Professional Engineer, 2022
  • Washington
    • Professional Engineer, 2022

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • American Institute of Steel Construction

David is a skilled Project Manager, structural engineer, and natural leader. His diverse experience includes civic, healthcare, academic, and commercial buildings. David has a keen ability to articulate clearly and communicate design ideas to the client and further translating the design into the contract documents. David joined KPW in 2009.

david.mcmillan@salasobrien.com

JONATHAN WONG, SE, LEED AP®, Vice President

Education

  • Stanford University, Stanford
    • M.S. Civil Engineering, 2000
  • Vanderbilt University, Nashville
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 1998

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2012
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • San Francisco Planning & Urban Research Association (SPUR)

Jonathan is a skilled structural engineer. He joined KPW in 2010 as a Project Engineer and has climbed to his current position as one of KPW's excellent Associates. Jonathan is responsible for engineering a diverse range of structures, including life science, micro-electric, and retail facilities. He designed project with sustainability in mind, emphasizing functionality and efficiency in his designs.

jonathan.wong@salasobrien.com

JOSEPH LIBERMAN, SE, LEED AP®, Vice President

Education

  • University of Florida, Gainesville
    • M.E. Civil Engineering, 2005
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 2003

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2012
  • Florida
    • Professional Engineer, 2008
  • Virginia
    • Professional Engineer, 2019
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California

Joseph is a highly skilled and dedicated structural engineer with 15 years of experience. As one of our Associates, he oversees project development and applies his intuitive knowledge of structural systems and sustainability to a diverse range of projects, including biopharmaceutical, civic, commercial retail, and federal facilities, paying special attention to constructability during the design phase and attentiveness during construction.

joey.liberman@salasobrien.com

BRYLLE CABACUNGAN, SE, Associate Vice President

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley
    • M.S. Structural Engineering, 2014
  • University of Pacific
    • B.S. Civil Engineering, 2013

Registration | Accreditation

  • California
    • Structural Engineer, 2020

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • American Institute of Steel Construction

Brylle joined KPW in 2014 and is a skilled senior structural engineer with seven years of experience. He brings his strong project management and collaboration skills to his projects. Brylle has experience in various sectors including life science, technology, commercial, and residential.

brylle.cabacungan@salasobrien.com

SANDY MATTHEWS, Director of Strategic Development, Associate Vice President

Registration | Accreditation

  • Texas
    • Professional Engineer, #105248

Professional Affiliations

  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
  • American Institute of Steel Construction

Sandy is a highly skilled and detail-oriented structural engineer with ten years of experience. Sandy joined KPW in 2018 and has brought her strong design, leadership, and collaboration skills to various project types. Her diverse sector experience includes education, residential, life-science, and religious.

sandy.matthews@salasobrien.com

STEVE PASSAGLIA, Director of Marketing & Operations, Associate Vice President

Education

  • San Jose State University, San Jose
    • B.A. English, 2012

Professional Affiliations

  • American Marketing Association
  • International Code Council
  • International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering
  • National Eagle Scout Association
  • Society for Marketing Professional Services
  • Structural Engineers Association of Northern California

Steve is a versatile marketing leader with experience in UX/UI design, communications, and brand messaging. He has experience in multiple market sectors, including federal, life science, and higher education.

steve.passaglia@salasobrien.com