about us > who we are
Jeff Smith, PE
Principal
As a principal Jeff is responsible for overseeing the engineering product, business development, project management, and project finances. Jeff’s responsibilities also include the scheduling and planning of projects and company personnel, overseeing the standardization of our product, and the establishment of design criteria.
As a mechanical engineer Jeff’s capabilities include design and analysis of HVAC systems, selection and specification of equipment, energy analysis, and design of control systems for projects. Jeff is also well versed in the design of plumbing systems and fire protection systems.
Jeff has worked on a wide range of projects during his 28 years as an engineer and principal including tenant fit-out renovations, government facilities, historic renovations, laboratories, commercial projects, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, restaurants, schools, religious facilities and recreation facilities. During his 25 years of experience, Jeff has been a principal in a company for over half of that time and a project manager for 18 years.
During his experience, Jeff has served as a mentor to younger engineers providing exceptional guidance, support and direction. He has also performed the overall coordination of nearly all of his project related drawings and directly supervised his own production team.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he graduated in 1988. Jeff is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Jeff is also a member of The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveying (NCEES).
Christine Brazill, PE
Principal
As a principal Christine is responsible for management of Aspire operations, business finances, and design standards. As an electrical engineer Christine's capabilities include design and analysis of power distribution, lighting systems, and fire alarm systems for projects ranging from tenant improvements to large commercial construction.
In her 12 years of experience, Christine has worked on tenant renovations, government facilities, historic renovations, laboratories, commercial projects, retail spaces, restaurants, schools, churches and recreation facilities. Responsibilities included the design of power, lighting and fire alarm systems. In addition to design work Christine has performed studies analyzing existing conditions and making recommendations for upgrade based on client programming needs and budget.
Christine holds Bachelor of Architectural Engineering and Master of Architectural Engineering degrees from Penn State University, where her studies focused on illumination engineering. With this background she is able to model and analyze complex designs for interior and exterior lighting as well as analyze daylighting within a building. Christine is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and a Professional Engineer (PE). She is currently licensed as a PE in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
In addition to Christine's consulting work, she has served on the board for Penn State Alumni Society of Architectural Engineering (ASAE). She also served on the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) DC Section helping plan lighting education and outreach. She has maintained involvement in Alpha Rho Chi, the professional architecture fraternity, as a board member for her alumni association. In recognition of her career and professional outreach, Christine was named a Young Professional of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
Outside the office Christine enjoys homebrewing beer with her husband, traveling, and learning to build furniture.