About keystone engineering

Keystone Engineering is a privately-owned structural engineering firm, incorporated in the State of Florida in 2003. The team of engineers and project managers serves the coastal communities from St. Augustine to Vero Beach. Keystone excels at the evaluation of coastal structures, identifying structural repair needs associated with long-term chloride exposure. Along with preventative and beautification measures, including landscaping and amenities, Keystone has the ability to create a modernized result that is cosmetically appealing and desirable. With over 50 years of combined experience, our associates highlighted below, serve to educate our clients with informed decisions regarding the exterior building maintenance decision-making process.

STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

James Emory, P.E.

Special Inspector #60965
Owner and Principal Engineer

Jim has been fully committed to the concrete restoration industry for the last 28 years. As a registered professional engineer (FL 60965), with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Central Florida, Jim also holds Florida licenses as a General Contractor (CGC 059844) and Roofing Contractor (RC 29027436). Jim’s focus has been concrete distress due to reinforcing steel corrosion caused by chloride contamination in coastal environments. This endeavor has expanded to include engineering and consultation on virtually all aspects of exterior coastal building maintenance and rehabilitation. This experience includes hundreds of completed projects for condominium associations and several government agencies, including NASA and the USAF.

Charles Hays, CGC

Vice President

A United States Marine Corps veteran, Chuck has a long and distinguished career in the concrete construction industry, spanning 20 years. He currently serves as Construction Services Manager. He oversees condominium restoration projects including structural repairs, concrete restorations, waterproofing, roofing, coating and painting, railing replacements, windows/doors and related project activities. He has even served as a Community Association Manager/Maintenance Supervisor, directing maintenance personnel and overseeing repair and maintenance projects on more than 20 beachside condominiums and timeshares, as well as owning his own construction company. In the past, Chuck has held several licenses including Class C Drinking Water Treatment Operator, Registered Specialty Structure Contractor, Certified Specialty Structure Contractor and Community Association Manager. He continues to hold licenses as an American Concrete Institute Field Testing Technician Grade 1 and a Florida Certified General Contractor.

Tomas Ponce, MSCE, P.E.

Structural Engineer

Tomas, a registered professional engineer, has 28 years of experience in structural engineering, with emphasis on structural specification and design of concrete, steel, masonry, and wood structures including gravity loads, wind analyses, finite element analyses and foundations. He has been with Keystone since 2015 and evaluates the exterior condition of coastal structures and their roofing systems for corrosion migration, waterproofing, coatings, railings, and all exterior building issues in order to develop specific, cost-effective solutions for repair and maintenance.