Chris Petteys serves as the fourth CEO in Forell | Elsesser’s six decades but drives the firm in collaboration with the rest of the executive management team. With a collective focus on building upon the firm’s strong reputation for technical leadership in seismic design, growing talent from within, and creating new opportunities and career paths for staff; Chris leads a firm rooted in engineering fundamentals, client service, performance-based design, and sustainable/resilient structures. From his experience leading large, complex structural projects, Chris has proven the effectiveness of his hands-on management style and enjoys interaction with clients and partners.
In his twenty years practicing as a structural engineer, Chris has navigated complex issues with a level head and taken unexpected approaches to successfully solving problems. He has a broad knowledge of all major construction materials for commercial, multi-family housing, and institutional structures; and is recognized for his efficient buildings and constructability of his designs for unique structures in high seismic regions. His more notable projects include the UC Berkeley California Memorial Stadium seismic upgrade and LinkedIn Middlefield Campus. Chris has both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from UCLA.
When Chris is not working through creative solutions or managing the firm, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.
Professional Associations
- Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) Seismology Committee, Former Chair
