2014 40 Under 40: Jeff Oke, PE, LEED AP, 36
Project Executive, KJWW Engineering Consultants, Naperville, Ill.
Jeff Oke, PE, LEED AP, 36
Project Executive, KJWW Engineering Consultants, Naperville, Ill.
Purdue University, BS Mechanical Engineering Technology
Jeff Oke didn’t have to travel far from his hometown in Batavia, Ill., to establish himself as a prime leader in sustainable consulting and engineering. Right after graduating from Purdue University, Oke joined KJWW Engineering Consultants as a mechanical engineer for its Naperville office. Within 5 years at KJWW, Oke became a LEED AP and completed the company’s consultant education program. Oke currently works as a project executive and operations manager where he leads a variety of projects ranging from libraries and churches to universities, laboratories, and office buildings. Oke is constantly striving for growth within the company and has taken it upon himself to lead the development of project management training classes at KJWW where he personally audits each class to ensure the training is the best it can be. As engineer, Oke has developed an extensive background in HVAC, chilled and hot water distribution, system controls, piping, plumbing, and fire protection systems. Over the past 13 years, he has worked in engineering and consulting to promote sustainability and help evolve the industry. As a member of ASHRAE, Oke has spoken to a variety of organizations including the Chicago Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Illinois Higher Education Facilities Directors, and IEEE. The majority of his talks stress the importance of long-term sustainable designs and how firms can implement cost-effective methods within all facets of engineering. In 2010 and 2012, Oke received the ACEC-IL Excellence in Engineering Honor Award for his work on two different college campuses. In 2011 he was also honored with ASHRAE’s Technology Award. Oke’s wife is his hometown sweetheart and biggest motivation; together they have two sons, ages 5 and 2. Oke spends the majority of his free time active with his sons, playing baseball and football, and teaching the older son how to ice skate so he can play hockey some day.
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