PENC Northwest Chapter Meeting

Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
PDH: 1
Location: South Fork Community Center

Bridging Disciplines: Lessons from Electrical, Structural, and Mechanical Projects in North Carolina

Successful engineering projects rarely fit neatly into one discipline. Structural stability, electrical reliability, and mechanical systems often overlap — and when those boundaries blur, failures or delays can occur unless engineers are prepared to collaborate across specialties. Drawing on case studies from North Carolina projects, this session highlights lessons learned in bridging disciplines, including structural assessments of retaining walls and foundations, HVAC and fire alarm system design, and electrical/telecom system integration. Participants will explore how cross-disciplinary awareness can prevent errors, improve client communication, and streamline regulatory approvals. The session emphasizes practical takeaways engineers can apply immediately: checklists for identifying when another discipline should be consulted, strategies for working with general contractors and AHJs, and leadership skills for managing multidisciplinary teams.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Identify common situations where structural, electrical, and mechanical systems overlap.
  
• Apply practical strategies to improve collaboration across engineering disciplines.
  
• Develop checklists to recognize when additional expertise is needed.
  
• Strengthen leadership and communication skills for coordinating with contractors, architects, and AHJs.

Speaker Bio: Christopher K. Horne, PE is a Teaching Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University and the principal engineer of eMuWave, PLLC. He brings more than twenty-five years of engineering experience spanning building residential and commercial construction, RF systems, and engineering education. In his academic role, he teaches courses in electric circuits, problem solving, and artificial intelligence in engineering. His scholarship focuses on innovative teaching methods, including the use of real-world analogies and generative AI to enhance student learning. He has published and presented at national and international conferences, including ASEE, IEEE EDUCON, and the SoTL Summit.

Through his consulting practice, eMuWave, PLLC, he provides structural, electrical, and MEP design services to general contractors and design firms across North Carolina and beyond. His portfolio includes structural assessments of retaining walls and foundations, high voltage electrical system design, HVAC and fire alarm design, and antenna modeling projects for wireless systems. Professor Horne also serves as the IEEE Student Branch Advisor, a Faculty Fellow with the Defense Civilian Training Corps, and a board member of the North Carolina Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. His professional interests lie at the intersection of engineering practice, education, and leadership, with a passion for mentoring the next generation of engineers.