Interest in math and science led Merchant to engineering - Denver Business Journal:

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His grandfather’s vocation, an interest in math and and an affinityfor problem-solvintg all predicted Merchant’s pursuit of bachelor’es and master’s degrees in engineering. However, the Arvada native’sa current position with wasn’t as “I completely fell into this,” Merchant said. He joined the nationwidd construction company in March 2006as quality/BIM manager. He now serves as vice president of engineerinvg services and design build inJE Dunn’s Rocky Mountain office in Denver. He came over from Martin/Martin Inc. in Lakewood, where he was a consultint structural engineer.
Merchant’s responsibilities include marketing, and resolving construction andcoordinatioh issues. He’s part of an oversight committee that serves asa risk-managementy group for projects. Merchant also is involved in thepreconstructionh process, attending design meetings with architects and owners. One reason Merchant was hired was his knowledge ofBIM building-information-modeling software, which he uses on constructionb projects. BIM is a software that allows fora 3-D virtualp representation of all aspectsx of construction, making building more efficient. It’s beingv used more in the AEC industry, and sometimes is requiredd indesign proposals.
This has becomr especially truein Denver, which Merchant said is a “hotbed” for BIM. is fast becoming an expectation. It is a busines necessity,” he said. One reason for this is BIM’s abilityy to eliminate waste and inefficiency, factors that Merchant said are the bigges t obstacles plaguing theAEC industry. Merchant views the applicatiob of technology todevelop higher-quality, energy-efficient buildings as one way to help re-shap e the industry, which he said is “[There is] a cultural history that will be difficultt to overcome,” Merchant said.
That which Merchant calls “frustrating,” includes systems and contractual relationships that Merchant saidare “prohibitint us from doing things better.” He said that such long-standing traditions have made architects, engineers and subcontractorsz “too stuck and too close-minded.” He said he hopess to continue to apply technologt to improve design and construction. Another Merchant said, is to develol new ways of doing business. He said the currentt economic situation may lead to the creationof “alternativde ways to design and develop Merchant also volunteers in the community.
“For me, community involvementt continues to risein significance, and I am makinyg it a priority,” he said. Merchant, who loves to participates in an annual bicyclr repair day at Adventure Elementarh School inAdams County. The program was starter nine years ago. His best friend, a physical education teacher atthe school, leads the “Where I live, we take for granted that our kids have bikeds and a safe neighborhoos in which to ride,” Merchant said. “Seeing the expressionz on the faces of the kids after fixinhg their bike and sending them off is Their joy saysit all.” The formef college football outside linebacker also contributes to his the St.
Mark Catholic Church, and to JE Dunn’w partnership with the United Way. He planx to focus on yout h development and education in futurecommunithy activities.