2026 Title Sponsor: Pinnacle Engineering
A Q&A with Pinnacle Engineers’ Incoming President, Tom Moore
Pinnacle Engineering is approaching its 30-year anniversary of crafting custom structural engineering solutions for architects and other clients.
With that milestone comes a transition for Principal and Structural Engineer Tom Moore, who will be stepping into the role of company president this year. He brings over a decade of experience at PEI and a reputation built on strong client relationships and team leadership.
Tom has been with the firm since 2014, working with architects and other clients across a wide range of projects. Founder and outgoing President, Kip Ping, will remain with the company through and beyond the transition. We sat down with Tom to discuss what’s ahead for PEI and asked him to share his perspective on working with architects.
You've worked alongside Kip for years and are now stepping into the President role. For the architects and clients PEI has worked with, what stays the same, and where do you see the company heading?
“For our clients, the work stays the same for the time being. Our focus right now is on internal changes. The relationships we've built are working, and we don't want to disrupt them. Most of the shifts will happen behind the scenes between Kip and me, with as few changes as possible for our staff and the people we work with.
“There will be some gradual relationship transitions in the coming years as things wind down for Kip. That process is already underway, and we want those transitions to be as smooth as possible for everyone.”
What trends are you seeing in the types of projects or structural designs architects are asking for?
“In my opinion, the bigger shift is a move toward modern design. This shift focuses on structures with more open spaces and clean lines. There will always be clients who lean toward more traditional styles, and I appreciate that too. The variety of designs is one of my favorite parts of the work we do. Every project brings something different, and it keeps our work interesting. We're always open to new trends and new challenges.”
In your experience, what do you appreciate most about working with architects?
"I'm not sure architects always realize how much engineers appreciate what they do. The architect's vision is what makes a project stand out, and we know it's a team effort, but we have a lot of respect for that creative direction. I also appreciate when architects understand structural demand in their designs from the start. For example, when walls are designed to stack floor to floor, the structure becomes more feasible, and the whole team can work together toward a better end result."
Pinnacle Engineering is a long-time supporter of AIA Cincinnati and is a 2026 Title Sponsor. Learn more at https://www.pinneng.com/
