Legendary structural engineer Gene Corley passes away at 77

CTLGroup, an expert engineering and materials science firm located in Skokie, Illinois, is saddened by the news that W. Gene Corley, Ph.D., S.E., P.E., Senior Vice President, died on March 1, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 77.

With a legendary career that spanned over 50 years, Dr. Corley developed his structural engineering expertise at CTLGroup and its predecessor, the Portland Cement Association. His diverse work included applied research, structural evaluations and repairs, and structural forensic investigations.

Dr. Corley, dubbed the “preeminent expert on building collapse investigations and building codes” by the American Society of Engineers (ASCE), built his reputation as one of the world’s experts on structures damaged by natural and manmade disasters as he investigated some of the most notable building failures in recent U.S. history. As Team Leader, he directed the FEMA investigation into the September 11, 2001 collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers.

A recognized industry leader, Dr. Corley was at the forefront of the structural engineering profession and the development of building codes and standards. He served in key leadership roles of numerous technical and professional organizations. Gene was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers where he helped establish the Structural Engineering Institute and served as Chair of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering.

He was also a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute where he served as Chair of the Institute’s Committee 318, Structural Concrete Building Code. Gene was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2000, one of the highest distinctions accorded to an engineer, for his leadership in raising the standards of the engineering profession for building and bridge construction.

“The management and staff of CTLGroup want to acknowledge Gene’s contributions to the firm and his exemplary technical and professional accomplishments,” said Jeffrey L. Garrett, Ph.D., S.E., CTLGroup President & CEO. “Gene’s legacy in the structural engineering profession is unparalleled. He was an innovative thought leader who consistently contributed generous amounts of his time and knowledge to the profession.”

Dr. Corley’s leadership in the development of CTLGroup’s forensic engineering capabilities laid the foundation for CTLGroup to become the expert consulting engineering and materials science firm that it is today. Thanks to Gene’s example, CTLGroup’s thought leaders continue to apply their diverse expertise to solve our clients’ most challenging problems as CTLGroup grows, expands and diversifies.

Over the years, CTLGroup has broadened its capabilities, expert services and geographical coverage to serve significant markets within the engineering and materials science industries. The firm’s senior management and staff include many industry leaders, providing consulting and materials science expertise in such diverse markets as the Transportation Industry, Buildings & Facilities, Energy & Resources, Litigation & Insurance, Materials & Products, and Advanced Technologies.

About CTLGroup
CTLGroup is an internationally-recognized expert consulting engineering and materials science firm that provides engineering, testing and scientific services to our clients in the following markets: Building & Facilities; Energy & Resources; Litigation & Insurance; Materials & Products; Transportation; and Advanced Technologies. Our 125-person staff includes professionals from the fields of civil, structural, geotechnical and mechanical engineering, architecture, geology, chemistry, ceramics and materials science. Our ability to deliver unique insights and solutions for our clients’ complex challenges is what makes CTLGroup an industry leader. Serving clients from around the globe, CTLGroup maintains corporate offices, consulting offices and laboratories in Chicago (Skokie, Illinois), as well as consulting offices in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, and Naperville, Illinois. Services for clients in New York and North Carolina are provided through CTL Engineers & Construction Technology Consultants, P.C. Website: www.ctlgroup.com.