Since his first week as an entry-level project engineer at SK&A, Daniel Cocciardi, PE, SE, has been “thrown in the deep end” on project work at SK&A. He quickly demonstrated exceptional initiative, adaptability, and an ability to independently navigate complex situations. Driven by a deep sense of pride in his work and the profession, there is no one who stands behind their work or cares about the quality of their output more than Dan. With a resourceful, calm, and affable approach, Dan has helped SK&A deliver numerous technically challenging and architecturally distinctive projects and has mentored many of its current and former staff along the way.
Dan joined SK&A in 2006 and has progressed from Project Engineer to Project Manager, Associate, and now Associate Principal. Throughout that journey, he has become a trusted leader, client partner, and mentor who is known for bringing clarity to complex structural challenges and guiding projects from early design through construction.
Growing up in central Pennsylvania, Dan developed an enthusiasm for math and physics that ultimately led him to structural engineering. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering from Cornell University.
Over the years, Dan has contributed to an exceptionally diverse portfolio spanning commercial office buildings, residential and mixed-use developments, parking facilities, museums, embassies, renovations, large scale tenant fit-outs, and specialty structures. A few of his notable and award-winning work includes:
- International Spy Museum
- 901 K Street
- Turkish American Community Center
- Royal Norwegian Embassy Renovation and Addition
- Bridge District Parcels 3 and 4
- The Stacks
- Strathmore Square
The International Spy Museum remains Dan’s most memorable project and one of his greatest professional accomplishments. Its unique design and aesthetic required the team to solve numerous technical challenges while fully supporting the design architects’ vision. Dan was certainly at the heart of the structural creativity and ingenuity that delivered the structural concepts and details for those challenges. I remember many working together many nights coming up with solutions, agreeing that they were final, and coming back the next morning to find that he had worked through a more clever approach. The project earned recognition from SEA-MW, a national award with NCSEA, and an AISC IDEAS award, and Dan has shared its structural story through presentations for organizations including ASCE and AISC.
Dan believes successful problem-solving begins with keeping everyone on the project team actively involved and invested in the solution. That collaborative approach, combined with his technical depth and broad project experience, has helped him build strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and project partners. As Dan puts it, “I enjoy taking on challenging projects and seeing them completed from start to finish.” Dan is also the ideal first mentor any structural engineer could desire. There is nothing that seemingly pleases Dan more than successfully working through a complex structural challenge except for mentoring another engineer on how to do it.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, Rubi; their daughter, Bianca; their son, Alessandro; and their dog, Lola, who frequently joins the family on their outdoor adventures. An avid sports fan and outdoors enthusiast, he also enjoys watching and playing soccer, football, basketball, and softball with friends.
“In addition to his exemplary, selfless, and masterful work, the traits I admire most about Dan are his honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Dan has been the same calm, grounded, and reliable individual from his first day at SK&A and through the years as he grew in rank at the firm until today. That is a rarity.” ~Walid E. Choueiri, PE, SE, Sr. Principal
Dan, congratulations on 20 years with SK&A! Thank you for your leadership, collaborative spirit, and many contributions to the firm, its culture, and the built environment. We look forward to continuing our relationship and seeing more of your great work and influence on the firm in the years ahead.
