Associate Structural Engineer Gerardo Suarez has been part of JN’s story for three decades. In that time, he’s seen the company evolve, the industry transform and technology completely reshape the way we work. Through it all, Gerardo has remained a steady presence: thoughtful, knowledgable, keen to help and always focused on doing things properly.
What was JN like for you when you started?
Back in 1994, we were a small team of about twelve working out of the top floor of a modest building in Miranda – the Punnett McCosker building. It’s still standing.
Most of the drafting was still being done by hand, so we had a few of those old-school drafting tables around. I spoke very little English at the time (not that it’s improved much after 30 years!), and I was lucky to have support from Michael Anderson, Scott McMillan, Brian Nakan and a few others who are no longer with JN.
At that time, I didn’t even know my way around Sydney. I hadn’t bought my first car yet and was struggling getting used to driving on the left side of the road! I was relying on a Gregory’s street directory because GPS didn’t exist. Before every inspection, I’d go to Michael Anderson and say, “Mate, I’m going to this address. Once I get to President Avenue, what do I do?” He’d say, “Turn right,” or “Turn left,” and off I’d go. He’d be left behind laughing!
What was your first role, and what kinds of projects did you work on?
I started as a design engineer. At the time, there were lots of four-storey walk-ups being built around the Sutherland Shire, so I worked on quite a few of those.
The reason I was hired, according to Colin Nicholson and Greg Jones, was that I didn’t speak much English, so they figured I’d just sit quietly at my desk and produce designs, without chatting too much with colleagues or clients. That strategy probably worked well… for a few months!
How has your role evolved over the years?
Back then, we didn’t have much of a hierarchy. Colin and Greg were the principals, and the rest of us were engineers, drafters or admin. Titles and formal promotions only started happening years later after we moved to the Sutherland office.
Then gradually I moved from Design Engineer to more senior roles, managing my own team.
What are some of the most memorable projects you’ve worked on?
While I’ve worked on a number of mid-rise buildings up to 12 storeys in Sydney and Wollongong, I tend to enjoy the more unusual projects – often smaller, but more interesting.
One that stands out was for Giovenco Industries: we designed aluminium towers that could move around inside large industrial tanks to carry out paint maintenance. The towers sat on a wheeled system controlled remotely, and some paint spray machines could travel up and down the towers, also by remote.
Another was the GrainCorp Grain Handling Complex in Cunningar, NSW. It involved a variety of structures (conveyor belts, elevators, silos etc) and required close coordination with the mechanical engineers. It’s still in operation over a decade later, filling grain into trucks and trains.
And then there was the Channel Nine antenna platform on the roof of a 20-storey building in North Sydney. It supports several large antennas that rotate to track satellites. The wind loads were pretty large. We had to go through two rounds of third-party reviews, which wasn’t exactly fun, but the structure has been operating successfully for the past five years.
What’s kept you at JN?
It’s the people, more than the projects. I feel I’ve built strong friendships here. I appreciate the support, the openness and the way people are always willing to share what they know.
There’s a real culture of knowledge sharing here – people pass on their experience freely, and that’s helped me out of trouble more than once.
The work itself is intellectually challenging, which keeps things interesting. I can’t really see myself doing anything else, though my kids have always thought I’m a boring weirdo!
JN has been my home away from home.
How has the industry changed since you started?
On the positive side, technology has advanced enormously. Computers, digital tools, new construction products and techniques have all made our work more efficient and our solutions more refined.
On the downside, there’s a lot more red tape. We now have to account for so many risks and legal liabilities. Things that were once simple are now complex. And yes, sometimes I lose sleep over that.
Generally, I’m a bit ambivalent about change. If something new offers a clear benefit, I’m all for it. But if a method or tool has proven itself over the years, I’m not always convinced we need to reinvent it. If it’s not broken, why fix it?
What’s in store for the future, Gerry?
As they say both around here and back home, I’ll work until I drop. I need the constant intellectual challenge, so I can’t really picture myself living the life of a retiree – at least not for now!
Gerry, thank you for your service and your stories. Thirty years is an extraordinary milestone, and in your case, one marked not only by longevity but by the integrity, curiosity and dedication you bring to every project.
Congratulations on 30 remarkable years at JN!
JN has been proudly serving the construction industry in Australia since 1970. In the early years, we operated as a small family business, specialising in the field of structural engineering. Today, JN has grown into a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy with offices across NSW and Queensland, employing around ninety individuals. Our team of experts possesses comprehensive knowledge in various engineering disciplines. JN engineering consultants specialise in civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, fire, sustainable, remedial, traffic and cladding services. We provide support to organisations, businesses and government entities in achieving their engineering and construction objectives. Our services encompass feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed design, project management, construction supervision, commissioning and maintenance.
