Our Mission

To create an inspiring work environment and supportive corporate culture as the key to advancing both work/life balance and intensive teamwork that results in unparalleled engineering solutions and happy clients.

Our Mission Our Vision

Our Legacy

The story of Joseph B. Callaghan, who founded this company on New Year’s Day, 1967, with about $200 in his pocket, is in many ways a great American success story. The son of immigrants —mother, a nanny from England, father, a Sun Shipyards welder from Ireland who died of pneumonia in 1941 at age 36. He left five children with another on the way. An aunt moved from England to help with the family. After graduating from Roman Catholic high school in 1951, Joe was working in a neighborhood butcher shop and the English aunt, a waitress at a Bellevue-Stratford Hotel restaurant, asked a regular customer if he might have a summer job for her nephew. The customer worked for the prestigious Thalheimer and Weitz architectural firm. It was there that Joe got his first taste of structural engineering. He was hooked. He earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Villanova University in 1963, and after four years with the Schupack and Zollman structural engineering firm, he struck out on his own. Nine years later, he won his first contract from the University of Pennsylvania, by 2015, he had completed more than 550 projects for the university, Philadelphia’s largest employer. One of those projects, Franklin Field, won an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania.

JBCI Consulting Engineers becomes incorporated in 1974. Joe wins his first Engineering in Excellence Award (1983) given by the Consulting Engineers Council of Pennsylvania, for Transfer Station No. 1, Chester Township, Delaware County, PA Alterations and Additions. In 1984, Joe Callaghan has a year of growth and hires Allen Roth, PE as a Project Manager. In 1985 Joseph B. Callaghan Inc. continues to expand. Joe moves his office and staff to the esteemed Suburban Station Building and after renovations, to our current office space on the 16th floor. Joe also reaches the milestone of 1000 projects with University of Pennsylvania Franklin Field Structural Rehabilitation and hires our current Administrative Assistant, Tina Brooks.

In 1992, Joe celebrates 25 years of industry experience at Overbrook Country Club, continues working on The University of Pennsylvania Franklin Field Stadium, Upper North Grandstand Rehabilitation and Cathodic Protection System Installation, where he won an Engineering Award of Excellence one year later (1993). In 2002, Joe and his family host a 35th Anniversary party honoring Joe for 35 years of business at the Overbrook Country Club. 2001 won Diamond award for excellence given by CEC PA for the Franklin Institute Science Museum skybike support system. Engineering Excellence award Consulting Engineers Council of Pennsylvania for the University of Pennsylvania Sansom Place Towers, Concrete Façade Rehabilitation.

In 2012, continuing in our current office, Joe reaches the milestone of 10 full-time employees. In 2015, Joe Callaghan is awarded the Meritorious Service Award from Villanova University. This coincides with JBCI reaching the milestone of 5000 projects with the Academy of Notre Dame, The Mansion Building Envelope Repairs and Restoration. In 2016, Allen Roth is named President of JBCI Consulting Engineers. Joe Callaghan is honored with Chairman Emeritus status. In 2017, JBCI celebrates its 50th Anniversary by remodeling the office and hosting an Anniversary Party within that space.

JBCI continues to grow during a global pandemic and hires its fourteenth employee in September 2020.

"I really have two favorite parts [to my job], the people and solving problems. In my job I get to meet and interact with many different people. There are a lot of personalities in this industry and that keeps everyday interesting and entertaining. I seem to learn something new every day."

Joseph Philips, PE, Principal

Our Values

Accountable

We are committed to providing innovative solutions to our Clients at every stage of the structure’s life.

Responsive

We are readily available to respond to our clients question or concerns or ever changing needs.

Adaptive

We adapt to change and strive to overcome any boundaries or constraints. We don’t aspire to be the biggest, just the best.

Respectful

We are respectful of our clients wants and needs and strive to meet their expectations.

Welcoming

We have a welcoming work culture where everyone is accepted and we welcome our clients opinions and feedback.

Collaborative

We provide a collaborative work environment and use everyone's strengths to best serve our clients.

Meet The Team

Allen Roth, PE

President

Allen Roth, PE joined JBCI as a Project Engineer in 1984 and advanced to Vice President in 1992. In 2015, Mr. Roth assumed the responsibilities of President. His experience includes structural design and analysis of reinforced concrete, structural steel, masonry, and light gauge steel of both new and existing structures. However, his expertise is in the field of building envelope, water abatement and building technology. He has been the Project Manager for design, documentation, and construction administration for the Structural Condition Evaluation and Repair and Building Façade projects.

Joseph Philips, PE

Principal, Director of Engineering

Joe joined the firm as a Project Engineer in 1993. His professional experience ranges from the design of new structures to the repair and restoration of existing structures. He has been the Project Manager for design, documentation and construction administration on rehabilitation projects, structural and exterior façade investigations, parking garage investigations and forensic studies. He was promoted to Director of Engineering in 2011, and most recently Principal. He is an avid curler, traveling around the world with multiple teams for curling events with his girlfriend, Cindy. They live on the Main Line with their dog, Penny.

Jessica Clifford, PE

Principal

Jess is a Principal with JBCI. She joined the firm in 2006, after completing her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Drexel University. Over the past 14 years she has developed an expertise in building facades and a passion for historic preservation. She brings extensive knowledge and professionalism to every client relationship and continues to manage many of the firm’s larger critical projects. Jess has expertise in a variety of project types, including historical restoration, adaptive reuse, and building envelope design and repair. She is a member of numerous professional organizations and sits on the board of WiSE (Women in Structural Engineering) Philadelphia. As a female engineer in a leadership role, she strives to set a good example to the other female engineers at JBCI and in the industry. Jess lives in Ardmore, Pennsylvania with her family and spends her free time chasing around her two boys.

Erik Villari, PE

Principal

Erik joined JBCI in 2006 and has advanced from Project Engineer to his current position of Principal, where he has taken on a leadership role to aid in the development of younger engineers. He is licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, and continues to pursue licensure in additional states. During his time at JBCI, Erik has focused on existing structures, with work ranging from assessment and repairs, to large-scale renovations. Erik is always looking to expand his knowledge and develop new and customized solutions to the unique problems found when dealing with older and historic structures. Erik likes cooking, especially with his pizza oven, and is a lifelong Giants fan living in Eagles country. Erik lives with his wife, daughter and dog, Janie, in Collingswood, New Jersey.

Colleen Boulden, EIT

Senior Project Manager

Colleen began her career interning with our firm before entering her senior year at the University of Delaware. She has over 10 years experience in the assessment, repair and restoration of existing building exteriors. She is responsible for evaluating and identifying exterior building element deficiencies and developing repair details required for each building system. Colleen oversees the investigation, design, and construction implementation of each of her projects and also manages the younger engineers through each of these processes. Colleen is an avid Philadelphia sports Phanatic and can be found running around with her husband, two daughters and dog in Wilmington, Delaware.

Michael Salera, PE

Senior Project Manger/ Chief Drone Pilot

Mike joined our firm after completing his Master’s degree from Villanova University. He has extensive experience in structural analysis and design plus façade assessment and repair. He has analyzed many building materials and his design and problem-solving skills are utilized on both new construction and rehabilitation projects. Mike is the chief Drone Pilot. He has been professionally trained and passed the Remote Pilot Certification. He is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of continuous development and training, manages the pilot’s activities and assists in façade condition surveys.

Ken DeStefano, PE

Senior Project Engineer

Ken joined JBCI after completing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He began as an intern at JBCI while completing his degrees. He is typically responsible for performing building condition assessments, developing construction documents based on his findings and overseeing the construction administration of the repairs. Ken is also responsible for undertaking structural design and analysis tasks and helps during the design process, developing budget cost estimates, details and specifications and assisting in project management.

Tyler Logar, EIT

Project Engineer/Drone Pilot

Tyler joined JBCI after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. His studies focused on structural engineering, specifically reinforced concrete and steel design and analysis. During his time at Rowan, he served as captain of the men’s soccer team for three years. Tyler is an Engineer In Training (EIT) and licensed as a remote drone pilot. Tyler resides in Clarksboro, New Jersey and enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping and traveling to new places. He is engaged and will be getting married in December 2020.

Austin Papp, EIT

Project Engineer

Austin joins JBCI after working as a structural engineer for a global engineering firm focusing on commercial and large-scale residential design projects. Austin completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environment Engineering at Rowan University and primarily focused his studies on concrete, steel, wood, and gauge metal. Austin is an avid golfer and enjoys playing 18 holes on the weekend and taking golf trips with friends. He also has a strong travel bug and is working on a bucket list of exciting and unique US and international destinations.

Robert Garneau, EIT

Project Engineer/ Drone Pilot

Bobby joined JBCI in 2018 after graduating from Drexel University with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil and Architectural Engineering. His studies focused on structural engineering, with interests in forensic structural analysis, green building technologies, and architectural history. He is currently working towards a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Villanova University. He is an Engineer In Training (EIT), a LEED Green Associate, and a Remote Drone Pilot. When not at work, Bobby is seen biking around Philadelphia as a private handyman, working out at the gym, and travelling the world to visit family and friends.

Rebecca Gavin, EIT

Staff Engineer

Rebecca is a familiar face around JBCI since she began as an intern. She joined JBCI full time after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. Rebecca has a passion for music, playing the piano since 5 years old and even played bass and sang in choir to fulfill part of her honors college requirements. Although not entirely athletic, Rebecca also loves sports and tries her hand at a variety, including mountain biking most recently.

John McCardell

Chief Financial Officer

John joined the firm in early 2016 as the Financial Controller. He has extensive experience in financial/administrative management including financial reporting, financial metrics & benchmarking, and budgeting/forecasting and plays an integral role in formulating data and reports used for strategic decision-making process. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rowan University and is currently working towards an MBA at Temple University. John was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer in July of 2020 and is looking forward to continuing to support the success of JBCI into the future. John enjoys spending time with his family including his wife, daughter, and his English Bulldog Lucy and they reside in Sewell, NJ. John enjoys discussing a wide variety of financial topics from business to personal finance. John is also an experienced DJ and enjoys a variety of music and on occasion serves as a wedding DJ at some of the City’s premier venues.

Tina Brooks

Administrative Assistant

Tina has been a Philadelphia resident her entire life. She has been with the firm for 35 years. Tina manages the firm’s administrative and physical resources in the office. Her role also includes a wide range of technical support tasks from contract administration to risk management. She is the friendly voice you hear when calling our office.