2016 40 Under 40: Sean Avery, PE, LEED AP BD+C, 33

Senior Associate, DLR Group, Seattle BS and MS Electrical Engineering, University of Washington

By Jack Smith, Content Manager, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 16, 2016

Sean Avery, PE, LEED AP BD+C, 33

Senior Associate, DLR Group, Seattle

BS and MS Electrical Engineering, University of Washington

A Seattle native, Avery grew up in a family of engineers, which influenced his interest in sustainable electrical design. Avery began his career at DLR Group shortly after graduating from college. After 6 months, he began work on a Master of Science degree at his alma mater. Within DLR Group’s interdisciplinary A/E structure, he leads the Seattle office’s electrical group and mentors fledgling associates and interns. Avery’s electrical engineering experience includes power, controls, and lighting. Currently, he focuses on lighting, high-performance building design, and onsite renewable power generation. His expertise in early modeling and analysis enables the development of effective passive-design strategies and designing energy-efficient systems that ensure user comfort and well-being. Although his role on projects entails the design of everything electrical, his passions are lighting design and renewable energy because that’s where he feels he can make the biggest difference in the energy footprint of the buildings his company designs. Avery is a member of Illuminating Engineering Society, where he serves as vice president of the Seattle/Puget Sound section; a member of the National BIM Standard Project Committee; and a member of IEEE Industrial Applications Society. His career has sent him to many places along the West Coast-even to the exclusive telescope facility on the summit of Haleakala on Maui. When he isn’t designing lighting and energy-efficient electrical systems, Avery plays saxophone in a local jazz band: Jazz Underground. He also enjoys attending theatrical performances, swimming, time on the trampoline, and making wine at home. He is extremely active as a triathlon participant in summer, and as a skier in winter.