JAMES THIBODEAU, PE

President

James is the owner and founder of Associated Design Partners, Inc. With over 33 years’ experience as a practicing engineer, he has gained valuable design experience through his dedicated involvement in countless civil and structural engineering projects. James’ practical, common-sense approach to design problems has earned him a distinguished reputation in the design and construction communities. He has gained extensive knowledge, through practice, in the fields of material science, building science, civil and structural engineering, forensic failure analysis, and construction industry code standards. Combining experiential knowledge with a practical engineering design approach, James has designed a myriad projects featuring steel, light gauge framing, aluminum, masonry, as well as wood structural systems.

James is well established in Maine and surrounding New England States in the field of forensic engineering. He has investigated and reported on well over 1000 insurance claim cases, covering a broad array of topics, for both liability and property loss claims. Some of the topics he has investigated include; construction claims, building failures, water intrusion cases, mold investigations, roofing and roof shingle failures, blasting claims, swimming pool collapse, foundation and retaining structure failures, ice damage, building material failures, product failures, fire damage evaluations, and structural collapse. In addition, James has over 17 years of experience in the specialized field of moisture control in buildings and building science evaluation. By investigating, researching, and evaluating a wide variety of topics, he has gained extensive knowledge and experience in construction industry sciences. This experience serves as a valuable asset, relied upon when evaluating existing systems, and developing conceptual design for renovation or new construction projects. He has refined abilities in design-build projects; structural repair and rehabilitation design, foundation engineering, Mechanically Stabilized Earth retaining wall design, existing structure failure analysis, investigative reporting to the insurance industry, and opining as an expert witness. He has also developed a reputation of being a team player, working successfully with owners, architects and contractors, and achieving success by providing superior service in a timely fashion and within budget.

EXPERIENCE – PRIOR TO ADP
Before establishing his own consulting business, Mr. Thibodeau worked with two well-established Maine-based consulting engineering firms, and served two years as an assistant city engineer in Old Town, Maine. His first post-graduate employment included 6 years as a project engineer, then manager, with a Portland, Maine engineering firm. His responsibilities included design and coordination of technical staff on new structures and structural rehabilitation. He gained considerable construction experience by serving as the on-site engineer for several major industrial and municipal building projects. His next employ included 7 years with a well-known Westbrook-based engineering firm, where he started, developed, and supervised the structural department.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Professional Engineer: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Maryland

EDUCATION
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (1983)
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts
Associates in Civil Engineering Technology (1981)

ACHIEVEMENTS
Tau Alpha Pi and Chi Epsilon Honor Society
Eagle Scout Honor Society
National Ski Patrol #239006, OEC Certification
NABIE, Executive Level Building Inspector
SAP, California Emergency Management Safety Assessment Program

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATION AFFILIATIONS

  • Structural Engineers Association of Maine
  • American Society of Civil Engineers, Member Since 1982
  • Maine Indoor Air Quality Board of Directors 2005 – 2008, current member
  • National Society of Professional Engineers, Member Since 2009
  • Executive Membership in National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE)
  • National Academy Forensic Engineers – Diploma Forensic Engineer (DFE)
  • New England Mountain Bike Association, Member
  • Maine Society of Professional Engineers, Regional Director, Board Member