MEMBER PROFILE Kwabena Ofori-Awuah: Hard Working and Driven … With a Smile Kwabena Ofori-Awuah was born in Ghana and grew up in a very small town with no electricity, prompting his desire to become an electrical engineer at a young age. He attended Opoku Ware School, which was named after one of the greatest kings of the Ashanti people, and was one of the premier schools for science and technology in the country. Ofori-Awuah’s father wanted him to study medicine, but he opted instead for geodetic engineering and went to the University of Science and Technologies in Kumasi, Ghana from 1981-1986. Afterward, he traveled to Britain for an internship in geodetic surveying and hydrographic surveying. Following the internship, Ofori-Awuah attended the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals from 1988-1990 in Saudi Arabia. He became more interested in pavement engineering and attended the University of New Mexico in the U.S. to obtain his M.S. degree from 1990-1994. During this time he also worked for Kiewit as a project engineer. Ofori-Awuah resigned from Kiewit in 1994 and was in the Ph.D. program at Virginia Tech from 1994-1997. He selected Virginia Tech because he had become more interested in the seismic aspects of geotechnical engineering, and it was the premier institute for the subject outside of California. He wanted to stay far away from California, knowing all too well the seismic reputation of the state. Ofori-Awuah completed the coursework for his Ph.D., then worked for Lindbergh and Associates from 1997-1999 and helped develop the first seismic design manual for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. He worked for Law Engineering following that engagement. In 2001, Ofori-Awuah joined Wilbur Smith Associates and helped build the firm’s geotechnical department. The company’s focus was transportation-related projects, specifically seismic engineering. Director of materials and geotechnical engineering at DC Department of Transportation was Ofori-Awuah’s next position beginning in 2003. Here he performed design work as well as research in collaboration with Howard University. He also wrote specifications and determined new methods of testing pavements. In 2005, Ofori-Awuah went to work for KCI Technologies (KCI) as the assistant division chief for the geo-environmental group then later was made chief geotechnical engineer. When KCI changed its structure from divisions into practices, he became the manager and practice leader. On any given day, Ofori-Awuah can be working on the seismic analysis for a bridge design, assessing liquefaction potential or performing site specific analyses to develop a response spectrum. He also regularly undertakes seismic design of landfills, dams and levees and evaluation of axial and lateral capacities of piles in seismic zones. Ofori-Awuah developed software for liquefaction analysis, LIQ, and is working on making it commercially available. Ken Briggs, P.E., highways practice leader for KCI, has worked with Ofori- Awuah for almost 6 years and said, “I have always been impressed with his technical skills and more importantly his work ethic and dedication to his profession. Kwabena serves on committees, advisory panels and is active in professional associations in order to facilitate development of more effective and consistent geo-professional services. He is always eager to learn and share his knowledge with others.” Family and Personal Life Ofori-Awuah is married to a physician who owns her own practice, and they have four daughters and one son. He has always enjoyed sharing his profession with them and taking them for site visits. He is the oldest of seven children — five boys and two girls. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1974 while he and one of his brothers stayed in Ghana to complete school. Even from an early age Ofori-Awuah had a drive to see things done correctly and be involved in something being construc- ted. He enjoys seeing things to fruition, and even built his own house in Ghana. In addition to building, he likes listening to jazz music and reading political bio- graphies. Ofori-Awuah also likes to travel and has been to every continent except Australia. While his wife prefers to see as much as possible in the U.S., he prefers to tour Europe. His children enjoy swimming and so they often vacation at the beach. Passion for Engineering and Excellence Ofori-Awuah has a passion for engineering, particularly the practical aspects. That is one of the reasons he was attracted to the profession. He believes strongly in going to the field to make observations and fully understand the problem. He tells young engineers that it is good to know the equations but they need to understand the mechanics of the problem. Mike Lozovatsky, P.E., associate vice president with AECOM, recalls when he worked with Ofori-Awuah from 2000-2002. “I got to know Kwabena as a knowledgeable, experienced and reliable geotechnical engineer. He always approached projects from the standpoint of innovation and cost- effectiveness, and completed assignments with enthusiasm and vigor. He was very ethical in all his undertakings and has a passion for excellence.” DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAY/JUNE 2015 • 49
