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2015 40 Under 40: Nathan Snydacker, PE, LEED AP, 38

Senior Vice President, Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Systems Design Inc., Chicago BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin

By Jack Smith, Content Manager, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 14, 2015

Nathan Snydacker, PE, LEED AP, 38 Senior Vice President, Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Systems Design Inc., Chicago BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin

As leader of the Workplace Solutions Practice at Environmental Systems Design (ESD), Snydacker oversees all of the firm’s corporate interiors projects and leads a group of more than 40 project managers and engineers. Throughout his career at ESD, he also has been responsible for project management and designing efficient and cost-effective mechanical systems, performing load analysis, writing specifications, and preparing mechanical design documents. His experience includes commercial interiors; data centers; airports; and educational, sports, and retail facilities. He started at ESD in 1999 as a mechanical engineer in what was the company’s education group. Within a year, he began transitioning into a project management role. He worked as a production coordinator and junior project manager while he was the lead mechanical engineer on multiple renovation projects at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, including mechanical system design and specification. As he branched into other project management roles, he soon became a trusted advisor to some of ESD’s key clients, such as McDonald’s Corp. In 2010, he was designated the mechanical technical authority for ESD’s corporate interiors group, assisting in the development of the firm’s quality management program and design standards. Starting in 2013, Snydacker began shifting into his current role as practice leader of the Workplace Solutions Group; the team is focused on how advances in technology impact current work spaces and how emerging trends will continue to drive innovation. In the MEP world, client expectations are met when their space is comfortable and functional. Snydacker played guitar in a band called Chin Up Chin Up, which released several albums; toured through North America and Europe; and played Chicago’s Lollapalooza in 2007. Although his touring days are over, he still loves playing music. He is teaching his 6-year-old daughter how to play the piano.