Our Team of Structural Engineers Builds Strong Relationships

Elleanor Leonard is president of Leonard Engineering. She co­founded Leonard Engineering in early 2003 with her husband, Steve Leonard. For the past 15 years, Elleanor has managed the general operations, sales and marketing for the company. In 2013 she became president, establishing Leonard Engineering as a woman­owned business. Elleanor manages the daily operations and administration of the company, allowing the design team to focus on what they do best: producing exceptional structural engineering work. Prior to forming Leonard Engineering, Elleanor received her BA in International Relations from Roanoke College, and co­owned a successful, real estate company for over ten years. With over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and management, Elleanor combines her education and expertise in customer care to ensure that Leonard Engineering provides unparalleled service to its clients.

Steve Leonard co­founded Leonard Engineering with his wife, Elleanor, in the spring of 2003. He earned his engineering degree from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. During his 22 years in the field, Steve has designed large tilt­up concrete warehouse facilities, commercial developments, Veterans Affairs hospital projects and other medical facility additions and renovations, educational and library buildings, multi­family and mixed­use spaces, historic restoration and repairs, adaptive reuse, and zip line and climbing tower projects. He also has provided condition assessment on residential and commercial structures and parking garages. His projects span the United States, as well as Australia. Steve is a licensed professional engineer in Kentucky and Indiana.

Chad Simmons joined Leonard Engineering in 2013 as a structural project manager and design engineer. Chad earned his degree in structural engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has over 13 years of experience in his field. During his time in Louisville, Chad has served as the lead structural designer and project manager on projects with construction budgets in the tens of millions of dollars. He has worked with Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Louisville Water Company, the Kentucky Department of Corrections and the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Past projects have let Chad apply his expertise in the educational, military, religious, commercial/retail, multi­family and residential sectors. Chad has significant experience in responses to RFP’s and RFQ’s, proposal preparations, site inspections (and structural special inspections), existing structure evaluations and report compilation, specification preparation, and all facets of construction phase work. His work can be seen in Georgia, Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Chad is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Kentucky.

Brent Jones joined Leonard Engineering in September of 2019 and serves as a project manager and structural design engineer. Brent received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia in 2008. Previously, Brent held the position of project engineer with a structural engineering firm engaged in the design and construction administration of new construction and renovation projects for the commercial, industrial, higher-education, healthcare and utility sectors. Additionally, Brent’s background includes forensic engineering evaluations and investigation reports involving the cause and extent of damage to buildings from vehicle impact, construction vibration, fire, storm, and construction defect, along with repair recommendations. Brent is a licensed professional engineer in Kentucky.