2020 40 Under 40: Jennifer Alley, PE, LEED AP, 39

Project Manager, HDR, San Antonio, Texas; BS and MS Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas

By Chris Vavra and Amara Rozgus May 14, 2020

Alley is a project manager and mechanical engineering consultant specializing in sustainability and assisting in the specification of building systems such as high-efficiency HVAC equipment, insulation, roofs and windows over the past 15 years. In her recent roles, she proposed new technologies such as chilled beams, heat recovery and efficient solar applications for energy reductions. In 2006, Alley was one of the first individuals in San Antonio to become a LEED AP. These credentials took her to new heights, engaging in the mechanical design and energy modeling for the first LEED Gold project in San Antonio — the Zachary Construction Corporation Headquarters. Alley also educated San Antonio architects, engineers and building owners on the process of LEED certification and the long-term benefits of sustainable decisions. In 2009, Alley was named “Top 5 New Faces in Engineering” for ASHRAE nationally and was elected president of the Alamo Chapter of ASHRAE. In 2015, Alley became the sustainability engineer for Cherokee Nation Businesses as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force. Outside of work, Alley enjoys staying active through activities like hiking and kickboxing, reading, event planning and traveling. So far, Alley has traveled to all 48 continental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 12 other countries. She was a gymnast for 14 years, a cheerleader at the University of Kansas and a professional cheerleader for the San Antonio Spurs. Alley also enjoys spending time with her family and comes from a family of engineers including her late grandfather and father.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra, Associate Editor, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief