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Leadership Team

VBFA has been helping architects and owners solve their toughest building challenges through innovative design engineering for more than 50 years. This has been possible because of the exemplary leadership standard we’ve held through the decades. We are led by a team of principals who are highly regarded as experts in the industry. This expertise is shared with the brightest engineering minds, all of whom are wholly dedicated to their craft.

Leadership hero

“VBFA’s leadership is a true testament to the firm’s ability to attract top engineering talent. Our culture is focused on collaboration and mentorship, which has created friendships that last decades and promote staff longevity.”

– Lisa Simons, Business Development

A team comprised of innovative, gifted minds

Jeff watkins headshot square
President/CEO, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Jeffrey S Watkins, PE

In the fall of 2021, VBFA’s leadership voted to elect Jeff as the firm’s President and CEO, and today he directly oversees the firm’s growth and operations. VBFA’s 140+ employees, loyal client base and hundreds of projects benefit from his leadership. His proven engineering expertise is augmented by his business acumen and VBFA is already recognizing the results of his leadership. When he’s not designing a flagship hospital or mentoring up and coming engineers, Jeff enjoys the outdoors – especially any time he can spend with his family at the cabin or with his fly rod in a river.

Licensure

Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania

Featured Projects

  • Primary Children’s Hospital – Lehi Campus
  • Intermountain Park City and Salt Lake Valley Ambulatory Surgical Centers
  • U Health Ambulatory Care Complex
  • Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care at Huntsman Cancer Hospital
  • Huntsman Cancer Hospital Proton Therapy
  • Intermountain Spanish Fork Hospital
  • Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office Building
  • University of Utah Health Sciences Campus Transformation
  • St. George Regional Medical Center
Ben Davis square headshot
Vice President/COO, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Benjamin Davis, PE

Ben is a well-established leader in the mechanical engineering industry, he is a licensed professional engineer in nearly every U.S. State and many international locations. Ben has developed engineering programs, including the nationally-recognized HVAC Solution, to help designers and young engineers coming into the engineering industry. Ben is widely respected in the AEC community for his experience and expertise. Outside the office you can often find Ben building and tinkering with the performance of his sand rail, or boating on Lake Powell with his family.

Licensure

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saskatchewan Canada, Alberta Canada

Featured Projects

  • Rome, Italy LDS Temple
  • Laie Hawaii LDS Temple
  • Tegucigalpa Honduras LDS Temple
  • Ivory Coast Abidjan LDS Temple
  • Sevier Valley Medical Center Emergency Department and Women’s Center
  • Northrop Grumman New Carbon Factory
  • Young Living Global Headquarters
  • Brigham Young University Hawaii, McKay Building
  • Bozshakol Copper Processing Facility
  • Sugarhouse Health Center
  • UU Healthcare, Farmington
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Vice President/CFO, Director of Southern Utah Operations, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Ladd M. Birch, PE

As Vice President and CFO, Ladd Birch is responsible for the firm’s financial functions. In addition, he leads VBFA’s Southern Utah office and provides mechanical and electrical designs for many of Southern Utah’s most notable projects, sharing his experience and expertise with associates who will be the firm’s future leaders. Ladd has earned the reputation as a trusted consultant, and is respected for his application of engineering designs, his problem-solving abilities, and ultimately for his commitment to Southern Utah’s population. Ladd enjoys time with his family, and loves to be outdoors on a good hunt!

Licensure

Utah, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada

Featured Projects

  • Washington County Administration Building
  • Bluff View Apartment Complex
  • Washington County School District Careers Tech High School
  • 605 Place Student Housing
  • Aspen Estates Elementary
  • Washington Fields Intermediate School
  • Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Crimson High School
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Vice President / CIO, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Donald K. Bradshaw, PE, CPD

As VBFA’s resident laboratory design expert, Don’s experience encompasses a variety of projects including hospitals, research facilities, educational facilities, office buildings and stand-alone laboratories. All of these projects have complicated and diverse systems requiring high attention to detail. His designs include some of the most energy efficient lab systems possible including energy recovery, four stage cooling including direct and indirect evaporative cooling, wastewater reuse, solar domestic water heating and more.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • State Unified Laboratories, Modules 1 and 2
  • Intermountain Medical Center
  • Utah Valley Hospital Replacement
  • University of Utah USTAR, James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building
  • USU USTAR BioInnovations Center
  • Westminster College Meldrum Science Center
  • McKay-Dee Hospital
  • Recursion Labs
  • Department of Environmental Quality Technical Support Center
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Corporate Secretary, Principal, Civil Engineer

David P. Baranowski, PE

David Baranowski is the firm’s principal in charge of civil engineering, plumbing systems, and fire protection. He is responsible for the design of all fire protection systems, utility distribution systems and special piping systems. Projects range from private and commercial development and utilities design to building and industrial foundations. His leadership skills extend outside of mentoring his team and into the community, where he serves his local Rotary Club and donates his skills to non-profit ventures. He enjoys spending time in Texas and on a beach when he has the chance.

Licensure

Utah, California, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming

Featured Projects

  • Northrup Grumman New Carbon Facility
  • Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care at Huntsman Cancer Hospital
  • Huntsman Cancer Hospital Proton Therapy
  • U of U Health Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Hale Centre Theatre
  • Hyatt Regency Hotel Salt Lake City
  • Barranquilla Colombia LDS Temple
  • NuSkin Corporate Campus
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Chairman of the Board, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Wade Bennion, PE, LEED AP

Wade Bennion is Chairman of VBFA’s Board of Directors. He is an engineering mentor, and an integrity-driven leader at VBFA and continues to make significant contributions to the
engineering profession, demonstrating technical and service excellence as well as a commitment to community service and the engineering profession. His personal skills have created a loyal client base that relies heavily on his sound engineering judgment. His approach to new ideas has led to innovation in the industry with respect to energy reduction and sustainable design. Wade enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.

Licensure

Utah, Arizona, Washington

Featured Projects

  • Farmington High School
  • Shoreline Jr. High School
  • Odyssey Elementary School
  • Hillcrest High School
  • Alta High School Renovation
  • Lehi High School Replacement
  • Midvale Middle School
  • Ben Lomond High School Athletic Center
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Director of Tempe Operations, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Byron Torgersen, PE

Byron has spent most of his successful career with VBFA, where he has been a valuable contributor to the success of many young engineers under his leadership and to the success of VBFA. Byron’s expertise includes the design of cleanrooms, with which he has been involved throughout the U.S. and Asia, as well as complex laboratories, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, higher education, and government projects. He enjoys new challenges, which made him a great choice to open VBFA’s Phoenix office in 2004, a venture that has been a catalyst for growth both professionally and personally. Byron enjoys spending time with his family in search of new adventures throughout Arizona, spending time at their cabin in Oakley, Utah, and enjoying sun and surf in California.

Licensure

Arizona

Featured Projects

  • Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center Patient Tower C
  • Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
  • Bangkok LDS Temple
  • Gilbert LDS Temple
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Director of Logan Operations, Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Ray Vernon, PE, LEED AP BD+C

As director of VBFA’s Logan branch office, Ray plays a vital role in teaching and training the next generation of VBFA engineers in northern Utah. He has completed hundreds of projects in Logan and beyond, and enjoys working on a variety of project types, from higher education and K-12 to healthcare and laboratories. With 100+ projects completed at Utah State University, Ray is practically a permanent fixture on campus and his expertise there is unmatched. Ray’s willingness to commit to facing his fear of heights while participating in VBFA leadership activities proves his dedication to VBFA and his team.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • Utah State University Mountain View Tower Student Housing
  • Utah State University Valley View Tower Student Housing
  • Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center
  • Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
  • Utah State University Life Sciences Building
  • Utah State University Romney Stadium
  • Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Fine Art
  • Intermountain Health Logan Regional Hospital Cancer Center
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Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Jed Lyman, PE

Jed has spent his entire career with VBFA, encountering a wide range of project types and mechanical designs. This background has proved useful in supervising the more than one million square feet of laboratory, medical office, cleanroom, and production space for the doTerra corporate campus. As a past president of ASPE and past chair of UEC, he has worked to increase scholarship funding to engineering students whom VBFA will look to for leadership in the years ahead. Jed finds escape in the mountains and deserts of Utah where he enjoys camping, backpacking, and rafting with his family.

Licensure

Utah, Idaho

Featured Projects

  • Provo Airport New Terminal
  • Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
  • Myriad Genetics
  • DoTerra Corporate Campus
  • Intermountain TOSH Campus (multiple projects)
  • Perry Hotel
  • Salt Palace Convention Center (multiple projects)
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Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Brad W. Rosenhan, PE

Brad is a leader within VBFA’s healthcare team. His passion for engineering is contagious, and he is often found mentoring newer engineers throughout the office. Having served as an officer for the UEC and ASPE, as well as being actively involved in the broader community, Brad’s leadership extends to positively impact all those around him. When he’s not being an engineer, Brad loves to golf and play sports with his sons, and he dreams of going sky-diving someday.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • Moran Eye Center (multiple projects)
  • Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Lehi Campus
  • Utah Tech University Human Performance Center
  • U of U Health Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Alta View Hospital
  • Riverton Hospital Outpatient Expansion
  • Primary Children’s Hospital Ambulatory Care
  • University of Utah Student Life Center
Jim nightingale headshot square
Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Jim Nightingale, PE, LEED AP BD+C

Jim has spent his entire engineering career with VBFA, where he meets the challenges of federal, municipal, healthcare, and other projects with flexibility, aptitude, and exceptional leadership skills. Licensed since 2006, he has been integral to the design of several high-profile projects in recent years. He spreads positivity throughout VBFA, inspiring those around him to work harder and achieve more. Jim has been participating in desert off-road racing for many years, and has volunteered his leadership skills in various positions for Bonneville Off-Road Racing.

Licensure

Utah, Arizona

Featured Projects

  • Intermountain Park City Ambulatory Surgical Center
  • Spanish Fork Hospital
  • Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (award-winning project)
  • Federal Office Building Cheyenne
  • U.S. Army Dugway Building Upgrades
  • Fort Carson Multiple Buildings Renovation
  • Utah Valley Hospital Replacement
  • North Tooele Fire District Multiple Stations
  • Hill Air Force Base (multiple projects)
  • Gilbert Arizona LDS Temple
Spencer howell headshot square
Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Spencer Howell, PE, LEED AP BD+C

During his time with VBFA, Spencer has established himself as a forward thinker and leader with particular expertise in sustainable design, energy analysis and modeling, life-cycle cost analysis, and LEED design requirements. He has designed high-performing systems for libraries, community and recreation centers, schools, healthcare facilities, laboratories, performing arts theaters, city halls, courts, fire stations, higher education facilities – basically, you name it, he can design it. Spencer has a strong connection to Scotland, where he was married at Dalhousie Castle–yes, in a kilt, which he can be seen sporting at the annual VBFA holiday party.

Licensure

Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming

Featured Projects

  • Ivins City Hall (Net Zero)
  • Salt Lake County Kearns Library (Net Zero, LEED Gold)
  • Salt Lake County Daybreak Library (Net Zero, LEED Gold)
  • Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City (Energy Analysis)
  • Kaysville Municipal Building Addition
  • Park City Utilities Water Treatment Facility (Energy Analysis)
  • Draper Recreation Center (LEED Gold)
  • Davis School District Odyssey Elementary School (Net Zero, LEED Gold)
  • Park City School District Multiple Elementary School Additions
  • Mountain America Idaho Falls Event Center
Scot muir headshot square
Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Scot Muir, PE, LEED AP

Having served as a Principal for VBFA’s Logan and Tempe offices, Scot has dedicated himself to continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in order to serve his clients better. With a passion for learning something new each day, Scot seeks out best practices to build upon, leading to innovative solutions and more efficient and effective processes. He enjoys strengthening relationships with both those he mentors within VBFA, and with clients and colleagues throughout the industry.

Licensure

Utah, Arizona

Featured Projects

  • Logan Regional Hospital
  • Intermountain Roy Clinic
  • Granger Medical Building
  • Layton Hospital and Medical Office Building
  • McKay Dee Hospital Ambulatory Surgical Center and Orthopedic Center
  • MTECH Trades & Technology Building
  • DATC Allied Health Building
  • Utah State University USTAR
  • BYU Richards Building Renovation
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Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Jake Beck, PE, LEED Green Associate

Jake inherited his passion for mechanical engineering from his father, who is also a mechanical engineer. Energy efficiency and sustainable design has been a driving force to Jake’s career. He has led multiple projects for net-zero facilities including multiple fire stations serving Utah. When he isn’t engineering you can catch him playing or watching any sport, or escaping with his 2 kids on vacation to warmer weather.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • Fire Stations #3 – Net Zero
  • Fire Station #14 – Net Zero
  • North Davis Fire Station #42
  • Snow College Science Building
  • Snow College Athletic Facility
  • BYU Harris Fine Arts Center
  • SUU Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts / Shakespeare Festival Facility
  • West Jordan Cultural Art Facility
  • Granite Library
  • Highway 101 Distillery
Brad welch headshot square
Principal, Commissioning

Bradley Welch, PE, CCP, LEED Green Associate

As a young child, Brad’s Christmas list included a broken television and a broken radio- he wanted to challenge himself to see if he could get both of them running. Young Brad did fix both the radio and television, and used them for many years. His passion for finding and solving system issues has been a leading force to Brad’s engineering career. As a principal of the VBFCx’s Commissioning team, his innate drive to find and solve potential issues has been integral in growing our team. In addition to fixing anything he can, Brad is an avid mountain biker and enjoys golfing. He and his family ride as many trails in the warm weather as they can.

Licensure

California, Utah

Featured Projects

  • U.S. Courthouse
  • Gallivan Ice Rink Plaza
  • Farmington High School Commissioning
  • Jordan School District, Transportation Facility Commissioning
  • Uintah Basin Medical Center Emergency Room
  • University of Utah, Rehabilitation Commissioning
  • Primary Children’s Hospital, Phase II Commissioning
  • Glendale Community College Retro-Commissioning
  • New Utah State Prison Commissioning
  • Adobe Building, Phase II Commissioning
  • Spring Canyon Middle School Commissioning
  • Cannon Health BAS Upgrades Commissioning
Jed jenkins headshot square
Principal, Mechanical Engineer

Jed Jenkins, PE

With a focus on projects in Northern Utah, Jed Jenkins is a Principal in VBFA’s Logan, Utah branch. He is responsible for mechanical system designs for a multitude of projects with specific focus on higher ed campuses. Jed has the technical skills to design complex projects, conceive of innovative systems to meet clients’ needs, make convincing presentations to prospective clients, interact with contractors, work productively to mentor and complete projects with a diverse engineering staff. Outside the office, Jed takes advantage of the beauty of northern Utah backpacking and spending time with his family in the mountains.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • Utah State University Daines Concert Hall Renovation
  • Bridgerland Technical College Lab Remodel
  • Utah State University Space Dynamics High Bay Laboratory
  • Ellis Elementary School
  • Mountain View Student Housing
  • Logan Regional Hospital Reconfiguration
  • MTECH Trades and Technology Building
  • Brigham Young University Music Building
Lewis wong headshot square
Principal, Electrical Engineer

Lewis Wong, PE, LEED AP

Lewis is a Principal in the electrical division of VBFA, and an experienced electrical engineer. His designs are inviting, engaging, and energy efficient. Lewis has completed projects in the K-12, higher education, commercial, retail, governmental facility, healthcare, and multi-use sectors. His attention to detail and strong communication skills have helped him to become a highly sought after electrical engineer. If you have been to any West Valley Symphony performances, he might look familiar to you, because Lewis plays piano with the West Valley Symphony. Lewis is also a talented photographer; you can often find him with a camera in his hands.

Licensure

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Featured Projects

  • Utah Valley University, Sorensen Student Life Center Remodel
  • VBFA Murray Office Building
  • Silver Creek Village
  • Delta Reservations Uninterrupted Power Supply Replacement
  • Red Lion Hotel Renovation
  • Arizona State University, Exterior Lighting Study
  • West Jordan City Hall Renovations
  • Duchesne County Library – Roosevelt Branch
  • Utah Fertility Clinic Renovation
  • Ellis Island Casino Brewery
  • Spirit Mountain Villas
  • Multiple Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
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Principal, Electrical Engineer

Kevin Conner, LC

As a VBFA Principal, Kevin has been a strong leader in our electrical engineering department. Kevin believes in common sense design but has an expansive and creative flair for custom design when the budget or project schedule allows. Kevin loves being in the outdoors. His hobbies are riding his Harley, working on cars, archery hunting, fly fishing and spending time at his family cabin.

Licensure

LC – National Council of Qualified Lighting Professionals

Featured Projects

  • Marge’s Cabin, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort
  • Lagoon Night Train Roller Coaster
  • Brighton Snake Creek Mid Mountain Lodge
  • Jeremy Ranch Fresh Market Grocery Store
  • Utah State University, Equine & Human Science Center Arena
  • Mario’s Market Grocery Store, Las Vegas
  • Joseph Smith Memorial Building
  • 21st Century Production Facility
  • Park Plaza Hotel, Pool Remodel
  • Lion House Pantry and Beehive House Renovation
  • Arizona State University, Exterior Lighting Study
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Principal, Commissioning

Brandon Briggs, PE

Through school, Brandon has always shown a natural talent in math subjects, but it wasn’t until his LDS mission that he tutored somebody in college algebra, and decided to pursue a career in engineering. When he returned from his LDS mission, he began tutoring people in math, consequently that is how he met his wife. Brandon credits his drive for engineering and math to the two most important things in his life, his wife and his career. Next to his wife and his engineering career, he loves going to the movies, playing basketball, water skiing and reading. Brandon loves the challenges he faces as a Commissioning Principal, he enjoys trouble-shooting systems, and finding solutions that best fix any potential issues.

Licensure

Utah

Featured Projects

  • Salt Lake City International Airport, Operations Building and Quality Control
  • Herriman City Hall and Ice Rink
  • West Jordan Public Works
  • New Utah State Prison Commissioning
  • Lehi Fire Station
  • Feather River LDS Temple Commissioning
  • Utah Performing Arts Center
  • Mayflower Hotel and Conference Center
  • Red Lion Hotel Renovation
  • Zions Bank Corporation Commissioning
  • Lift Condominiums Commissioning
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Associate, Business Development Director

Lisa Simons

Lisa began her AEC career with VBFA Salt Lake City in 1992. The firm was actively pursuing, and being awarded, projects associated with the 2002 Utah Winter Olympic Games. This early experience “sparked” a passion for the built environment and its many exciting and diverse opportunities.

Lisa has worked for architects, a global water resource/wastewater firm, and for a marketing consulting firm. Realizing she missed interacting with engineers, and VBFA, she returned and is now located in the VBFA Phoenix office. For over two decades, Lisa has enjoyed being a part of the VBFA team and supporting efforts to advance the growth of the firm.

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Marketing Director

Lori Haglund

A marketing professional with more than three decades of experience, Lori joined VBFA in the year 2000. She loves engineers and is passionate about VBFA. Her most important reward is the success of the VBFA team.

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Working With Us

Design Your Ideal Career With VBFA

We see our talented team as our greatest asset, and so we treat each member that way. When you join our firm, you’ll find the support to achieve even your most ambitious career goals. We’re proud that many on the VBFA team have a 10+ year tenure in the firm, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to our employees’ satisfaction and professional fulfillment. If you’re looking to work on unique projects with an accomplished team, VBFA is the right place for you.

Let’s Get Started on your Next Project