An engineering career could have taken Jonathan Robison anywhere, but the lifelong Springfieldian has chosen to dig his roots even deeper in the Ozarks.
After earning his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Robison worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation, managing construction projects in the southwest portion of the state.
After receiving his master's degree in civil engineering from his alma mater in 2003, Robison left Springfield for a stint in St. Louis as a geotechnical engineering consultant.
He eagerly accepted the opportunity to return home and open a branch office for SCI Engineering in Springfield in 2005.
"In three years, we grew our office to revenues of more than $1 million and a staff of 16 with a satellite office in Rolla," he says.
In what he called a difficult decision, last year Robison changed employers to accept the position of managing associate with GeoEngineers Inc., which works with both local and international clients.
"As a leader, my goal is to gather the best people I can around me, empower them and get out of the way," Robison says.
"I have had the opportunity to work with and mentor a number of great young engineers in my career, some who have gone on to positions of responsibility," he adds.
Robison has presented technical papers at professional conferences and enjoys speaking to high school students about his profession and encouraging them to consider engineering as a career.
He is licensed in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Kansas and is awaiting reciprocal licensing in Colorado and Wyoming.
Robison has been on the boards of the Ozark chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and the Springfield area chapter of Construction Specifications Institute.
Robison's committee work has benefited Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Missouri chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies and Springfield Contractors Association.
Current membership includes the Transportation Engineers Association of Missouri, Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association, Greenwood High School Alumni Association and Riverbluff Fellowship.
"I am committed to advancing my profession and providing quality technical work and a high level of service for projects in our community and around the world," Robison says.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
