4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Bulkhead and Retaining Wall Failure
Presented by Mr. John Clark, P.E. with Clark Engineers, Inc.
BIO: John M. Clark, PE, is the principal and owner of John Milton Clark Engineers Inc. and a licensed professional engineer in Texas, New York, and Arizona. He holds a Master of Science in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University, specializing in advanced structural and foundation engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in physics from Central State University with minors in mechanical engineering and mathematics. A longtime member of the Foundation Performance Association, he is a former board member and past president (2009) and currently serves on the Structural Committee, where he co‑chairs the FPA‑SC‑22 Subcommittee on elevating slab‑on‑ground foundations. Clark’s career includes early work in the prestressed concrete manufacturing industry, foundation and bridge design with an A&E firm in Oklahoma City, structural design engineering at Bechtel in Houston, and twelve years in product development with Owens Corning’s Non‑corrosive Products Division, focusing on fiberglass tanks and buried FRP tanks and pipe.
ABSTRACT: This presentation will examine the causes and mechanisms behind bulkhead and retaining wall failures, drawing on real‑world case experience and structural engineering principles.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Design Considerations and Constraints and How They Impact Real Estate
Presented by Mr. Imad Abdullah, AIA
BIO: Imad F. Abdullah, AIA, is a registered architect and interior designer in Texas and a longtime principal with Landmark Architects, Inc., bringing decades of expertise in design, construction practices, and structural failure case studies. A respected leader in Houston’s professional community, he served on the AIA‑Houston Board of Directors and established and chaired the AIA Business Practice Series for four years, providing bi‑monthly continuing education programs for the membership. In addition to his architectural work, he is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Texas and Principal Broker of Centra Inc. dba Centra Realty, specializing in commercial and residential real estate, and has been a member of HAR and MLS since 1978. He is the author of A Crystal Ball Visioning: Unfolding the 21st Century (2012), has published numerous articles in the Houston Chronicle and Houston Business Journal, and continues to share commentary on current affairs through Academia.edu. Abdullah also contributes his expertise as a Board Member of the Foundation Performance Association (FPA), reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing industry knowledge and community service.
ABSTRACT: This presentation will examine how early design decisions shape long‑term real estate performance, beginning with an overview of the design process and the factors that determine building placement, setbacks, height, and overall site configuration. The speaker will then address how to manage inherent risks in real estate, including the influence of LEED and sustainability considerations, and will outline practical investment guidelines for both commercial and residential developments. The talk concludes with a discussion of key characteristics of various real estate investment vehicles and how these choices affect long‑term project success.