Instructors

Joseph Marion Allen (Jody), P.E., PhD, JD, is a consulting engineer specializing in structural wood design, a practicing attorney familiar with forensic testimony in technical cases, and a long time adjunct professor in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at The University of Alabama, teaching classes covering, among many other things, engineering ethics. He is presently licensed as a PE in 24 states and licensed to practice law before both state and federal courts. His consulting engineering practice is principally for Trimjoist Corporation which he has continuously served from the inception of the company in 1993. Its product is a wooden metal plate connected parallel chord truss with trimmable I-shaped end sections. His legal practice has included numerous construction defects and product liability cases. His academic teaching experience includes engineering mechanics, structural engineering and construction engineering. (e-mail: jma777@bellsouth.net)

Drexel Hermann, P.E., is a Regional Engineer with Weyerhaeuser. Drexel has over 30 years of engineering experience with two decades at the Weyerhaeuser company. Additionally, Drexel had dedicated service in the United States Marine Corps. Drexel has built a career grounded in ethics and competent service. These core values have guided his professional journey, ensuring every project is approached with integrity and skill. His current responsibilities include field support for Weyerhaeuser Trust Joist engineered wood products used in a variety of applications. Drexel has a Bachelor and Master of Civil Engineering degrees from the University of Delaware and is currently licensed in 15 states and jurisdictions. Drexel enjoys golfing, hiking and cheering on UD football and Manchester City FC, to provide work/life balance.(email: drexel.hermann@wy.com)

John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., M.ASCE, M.NCSEA, is a senior staff engineer with the International Code Council's (ICC) product development group. He develops technical resources and provides education in support of the structural provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code. Showalter reviews publications authored by the Code Council and engineering groups, while also developing publications and technical seminars on the structural provisions of the International Codes for building departments, designers and special inspectors. He is the project lead in the development of Mass Timber Buildings and the IBC and associated education programs, jointly developed by ICC and the American Wood Council (AWC). A graduate of Virginia Tech, Showalter has also been a member of the editorial board for STRUCTURE magazine for nearly 20 years. Before joining ICC, Showalter spent 26 years with AWC where he led its technology transfer program with oversight responsibility for publications, website, helpdesk, education and other technical media. He has over 35 years of experience in the development and support of building codes and standards, authoring or co-authoring more than 70 publications and technical articles for industry-related trade journals. (e-mail: bshowalter@iccsafe.org)

Marvin Strzyzewski, P.E., has over 40 years of experience in the wood truss industry, currently with Truss Engineering Company (MiTek, Inc. Affiliate). Marvin is currently a Senior Building and Product Regulations Team Staff Engineer. He has experience designing, reviewing, and approving truss designs and repairs. He has been involved with product development and testing, including full-scale trusses, individual plate testing, and quality control, all based on the Truss Plate Institute’s (TPI) standards. He also sat on three project committees to update TPI-1. Marvin was the project committee chair for TPI’s newly published DSB-2022 Bracing of Wood Trusses. Currently, he is a member of the ICC’s IBC-Structural committee for developing the 2027 IBC. Works with building codes and standards writing groups to review and prepare public comments and testifies at code hearings for new building codes and standard requirements. He has developed and presented numerous Continuing Education Programs that MiTek offers to RDPs, Architects, Building Code Officials, and Builders. (e-mail: marvins@mii.com)

Frank Woeste, Ph.D., P.E., is Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech (VT). Frank conducted wood engineering research and taught wood design courses throughout his 26-year tenure at VT. Frank, along with his colleagues at VT and wood industry professionals, have developed and presented continuing education programs for more than 30-years. He currently serves on the AWC Wood Standards Design Committee responsible for revisions to the national design standards such as NDS and WFCM. On a routine basis, Frank consults with the public, design professionals, contractors, building code officials on various aspects of engineered wood construction and residential construction, including decks and balconies. (e-mail: fwoeste@vt.edu)