2014 40 Under 40: Benjamin Rubach, PE, LEED AP, 32

Principal, dbHMS, Chicago

By Silvia Chavez and Amara Rozgus May 19, 2014

Benjamin Rubach, PE, LEED AP, 32
Principal, dbHMS, Chicago
Milwaukee School of Engineering, BS Architectural Engineering

Behind Ben Rubach’s extensive background in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection are his hidden talents as juggler, ballroom dancer, and drummer in a 1980s cover band. Growing up in a small farm town in Wisconsin, Rubach learned everything from mowing hay to carpentry, skills that he applied while pursuing an architectural engineering degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Rubach’s journey from Wisconsin to Chicago took him to the office doors at Primera Engineers where he worked designing both HVAC and plumbing systems. In 2009, Rubach joined dbHMS as a senior plumbing engineer where he took on new roles managing projects and clients while working through the design process. Throughout his 5 years working at the firm, Rubach has advanced from project manager to operations manager to his current position as principal. His leadership has helped grow the firm of 25 people to a group of 55. Rubach has focused his efforts on developing firm procedures and protocols to help dbHMS adapt to the growing number of employees and size of projects. His technical background doesn’t lag far behind as Rubach has been licensed in nine different states with a specialty in HVAC and piping systems. Since 2005, Rubach has helped the firm’s involvement in more than 40 U.S. Green Building Council LEED projects and works daily with his team to instill sustainable construction practices. As a former mason laborer and roofer, Rubach enjoys renovating his historic home in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, where he has replaced everything except the core structure.