Partners
Jim Craig
• Registered Professional Engineer – original registration in State of Tennessee since 1978, also holds current licenses in 42 additional states.
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 1972
Major field of study – Structural/Civil Engineering
• After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Jim worked for six years in the engineering department for Coronada Builders Corporation, a regional real estate development and construction company. There he gained valuable experience in the design and development of construction documents for residential communities, retail and commercial projects. Jim founded Design and Engineering in 1978 working from a spare bedroom in his house. The company became a professional corporation in 1995. Since the company’s inception, Jim has enjoyed the success and growth of his business by developing and maintaining long-term relationships with numerous corporate clientele. He has developed Design and Engineering, Inc. from a one-man engineering company to a thriving, multi-disciplined professional practice.
Colleen Atwood
• Registered Architect – original registration in State of Tennessee since 1983, also holds current licenses in 45 additional states and the District Of Columbia.
• Bachelor of Environmental Design, School of Architecture Miami University, Oxford, OH – 1977
• Certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, NCARB
• After graduating from Miami University of Oxford, Colleen moved to Nashville to embark on an architectural career. She served her internship at Edwards + Hotchkiss Architects, Inc in Brentwood, TN. Colleen grew with the company and during her 14 year employment gained her professional licensure, became a project architect and eventually graduated to a stockholder and officer of the corporation. Although many projects passed across her desk perhaps the highlight of her tenure was Treasure Island Resort, a luxury destination hotel complex located in Georgetown, Grand Cayman, BWI. Special considerations such as foreign governmental issues, a local island construction industry and importation of virtually all materials made this project an extraordinary professional life experience.
Byron Bohrman
• Registered Professional Engineer – State of Tennessee since 1990, also holds current licenses in 20 additional states
• Registered Structural Engineer – State of Arizona
• Erosion and Sediment Control Level II Certified Design Professional – State of Georgia
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 1986
• Major fields of Study – Structural Design & Transportation
• Byron began his professional career with the City of Lebanon, Tennessee – Wilson County Office as an assistant planner. In January of 1991, Byron joined Design and Engineering, Inc. as a project manager and subsequently became a partner in 2000. He currently participates as a senior project manager in both civil and structural design. His previous experience as a city planner has been an invaluable tool for our projects requiring rezoning and approval by city planning committees.
Melissa Sears
• Bachelor of Business Administration
Middle Tennessee State University 1984
Major field of study – Management; Minor – Management/Marketing
After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 1984, Melissa gained management experience with other AE firms in the Nashville area. In 1993 she joined Design and Engineering, Inc. as a Project Coordinator. Two years later she accepted the position of Office Manager. In 2005 Melissa began her partnership at Design and Engineering, Inc.
Melissa has made significant contributions to the business needs of the firm. Her dedication and leadership of the office have been instrumental to the continued success of Design and Engineering, Inc.
Chip Wallace
• Registered Architect – Tennessee, Indiana, Texas, Kentucky, and Washington
• Certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, NCARB
• LEED Accredited Professional – Building Design and Construction
• Bachelor of Architecture at University of Tennessee – 1997
• After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Chip returned home to Franklin, TN and worked for 5 years at Davis Stokes, LLC. There he gained valuable experience designing medical facilities and hospitals all over the nation. Joining Design and Engineering in 2004 and becoming a partner in 2008, he now assists numerous corporate clients with their design needs. Also, his LEED certification provides interested clients in a building design aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions reduction. His attention to detail and strong commitment to our company have been helpful in providing first-rate, quality service to our clients.
Ryan Nicholson
• Registered Architect – Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and California
• Certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, NCARB
• Bachelor of Architecture at University of Notre Dame – 2004, Graduated Summa Cum Laude
• While at Notre Dame, Ryan valued his time spent abroad in Rome, Italy for one year where he studied the art and architecture of the historic cities and surrounding regions. Ryan began interning with DandE during college in 1999 and moved back to Nashville after graduation to join the firm full time in 2004. Ryan’s artistic and design abilities were valuable in developing several Prototype concepts including: Chicken Nick’s in Franklin, TN, J. Mark’s Restaurant and Bar in Pompano Beach, FL, Raz’z Bar and Grill in Smyrna, TN, and Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q in Duluth, GA. During his time at DandE, Ryan has also gained valuable experience maintaining prototypical design documents, responding to code requirements of local jurisdictions around the U.S., adjusting designs to meet site specific requirements, and managing projects to meet clients’ budgets and deadlines.
Jessica Gore
• Registered Professional Engineer – Tennessee
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Tennessee Technological University, 1997
Emphasis of study – Civil and Environmental Engineering
• While pursuing her degree, Jessica accepted and completed a year-long co-op assignment with The Tennessee Valley Authority in 1994. Interning with TVA allowed her to gain professional experience with the transmission line design group in Chattanooga, Tennessee before graduating. In 1996, Jessica began her internship with consultants Vaughn & Melton in Greeneville, Tennessee where she was offered and accepted a full time Project Engineer position after graduation in 1997. While at V&M, Jessica gained practical experience working with private developers as well as municipalities. Her projects varied from the development of industrial parks, residential subdivisions, and federally funded utility improvements to conducting site inspections and other construction administration duties; including review of bid documents, shop drawings, and payment requests.
• Jessica joined DandE as Project Manager after relocating to the Nashville Metropolitan area in 2001. While at DandE, Jessica has been involved in commercial projects across the United States with DandE’s many clients. Navigating ever changing design parameters, local ordinances and permitting procedures while working in so many different jurisdictions has challenged Jessica to anticipate possible hurdles and plan accordingly to keep projects on schedule and within budget. Her due diligence during the planning stages of a project has proven invaluable. Jessica’s strengths are her attention to detail and her outstanding communication skills with her clients, design team, reviewing agencies and contractors during planning, design and construction of her projects.