While a student at Grant High School in Northeast Portland, Eli discovered a knack for building and repairing bicycles, a hobby that helped him earn extra money (and made sure he always had a great bike). This experience, combined with his natural skills in math and science, led Eli to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Oregon State University, with a minor in business and entrepreneurship in 2020
During his senior year of college, Eli worked in product design at HP. The job provided a great opportunity to gain professional experience in collaborating with engineers and designers, which he now draws from in his role at JLD.
Eli joined JLD in 2020 and has appreciated the exposure to the different areas of the construction industry, including architectural and structural engineering. He has developed a strong specialty in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and takes the lead on those aspects of client projects.
“One of the best things about working here is the number of projects and the variety of our clients,” Eli said. “I really enjoy the diversity of the work and the opportunity to work as a project manager, coordinating our work for clients.”
On his free time, one of Eli’s favorite things to do is experience live music (and he is very happy that live shows have started to resume after so many months on hold during the pandemic). Eli is also an avid disc golfer. After playing Ultimate Frisbee in college, he transitioned to disc golf and now plays in tournaments. “It’s a great way to get out in nature on the weekends, and I enjoy the competition,” he said.