Tom VanDorpe MS, SE
CEO/Sr. Principal
Mr. VanDorpe has more than 30 years of experience in engineering. As president of VCA Consultants, he is responsible for the administration, organization, and strategic planning of the company’s three divisions, VCA Structural, VCA Code and VCA Green.
As a practicing Structural Engineer, Mr. VanDorpe is regarded as technical expert on structural design and building codes. He has led the team at VCA to national recognition as experts in the field of mixed-use, mid-rise construction. VCA is regularly consulted by developers, architects and regulatory authorities involved with the largest and most complex light-frame and mixed-use developments in the western United States. VCA has grown to be the largest provider of structural engineering services for podium and wrap mixed-use projects and has designed more than 30 projects within the Type III 5 story light frame specialty. In addition, VCA served as the structural engineer for the first wrap type apartment project on the West Coast and has designed more than 75 wrap apartment projects.
Mr. VanDorpe also leads VCA Code, which is a recognized leader in providing municipal plan review and staff augmentation services. VCA Code has completed over 50,000 plan reviews in-house, across all occupancy groups and construction types. In the field of energy and sustainability consulting, Mr. VanDorpe oversaw the formation of VCA Green in 2009 to provide a full suite of certification, commissioning and energy modeling services. VCA Code and VCA Green are active in training and education for professionals seeking guidance in the rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Mr. VanDorpe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. Mr. VanDorpe is active with industry groups on technical topics regarding structural engineering practices and is involved in the development of building regulations. Mr. VanDorpe is a past Chair of the SEAOC Light-Frame Systems committee and has regularly spoken and written on technical subjects for the Structural Engineers Association of California. In addition Mr. VanDorpe contributes time with several business organizations and manages the company’s external business advisors.