ABOUT US

Russell Rowland is an independent, women-owned engineering firm headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. With decades of combined experience in the design of residential and commercial structures, we can assist with all your structural engineering needs. Whether you’re a homeowner getting ready to tackle a renovation or a national home builder, we value your best interest at heart through top-notch customer service, effective communication, value engineering, and an efficient process with quick turnaround times.

OUR TEAM

Jackie Rowland, ME, PE

President & CEO

Jackie Rowland, ME, PE

President & CEO

Jackie Rowland has over a decade of experience in Structural Engineering, specializing in high-wind engineering design for residential and light commercial structures across the Southeast. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida.

As Co-Founder of Russell Rowland, Jackie emphasizes team consistency and efficiency to deliver reliable construction documents and quality engineering to clients and building officials. She values building personal relationships with each of her employees, believing that a great team is critical to the firm's success. Her dedication to serving both the construction industry and the Northeast Florida community exemplifies Russell Rowland’s culture and mission..

When she isn’t managing Russell Rowland, you can find her riding horses as she has been an avid Equestrian for nearly 30 years. She is a die-hard Florida Gators fan and enjoys spending quality time with her husband Parker and daughter Harper.

Industry Involvements:

JAX Chamber

Small Business Leader of the Year – 2023
Board of Directors – 2023
Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship – Class V
NextUP JAX – Member

Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA)

Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council – Chair 2021
Young Professionals Group – Chair 2022-2023
Emerging Leadership Program – Board Member
St. Johns Builder's Council – Board Member
Associates Council – Board Member

Florida Home Builders Association

Young Building Professionals Council – Vice-Chair 2024

Areas of Expertise:

Volume Production Homebuilders
Operations
Recruiting
Business Development

Email:[email protected]

Adam Russell, PE

Executive Vice President

Adam Russell, PE

Executive Vice President

Adam Russell brings over a decade of experience in commercial and residential structural engineering. Before co-founding Russell Rowland, he worked in the commercial cold-formed steel industry, designing trusses, diaphragms, and lateral bracing systems, before transitioning to residential structural design. He serves as the Engineer of Record for thousands of commercial and residential projects and holds engineering licenses in multiple states, including AL, AZ, FL, GA, ID, NC, NV, OH, SC, TN, and TX.

Adam has become a leader in the residential wood framed and masonry industries throughout Florida. He is dedicated, detail-oriented, and always prioritizes the customer’s best interests. He specializes in quickly and efficiently resolving field issues that might arise during the building process. His technical expertise has earned him a trusted reputation among clients and colleagues alike.

Outside of the office, Adam and his wife, Laura, stay busy with their two children, Madilyn and Kellan. When he finds a free minute, he can be found working on his classic cars or taking apart things that aren’t broken.

Industry Involvement:

Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA)
National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
Florida Homebuilders Association (FHBA)
Home Builders Association of Flagler (Flagler HBA)

Areas of Expertise:

High-End Custom Residential
Light Commercial
Open-Web Roof/Floor Component Design
Advanced Framing Techniques
Structural Repairs
Coastal & Specialty Structures
Deep Pile Foundations

Email:[email protected]

Parker Rowland, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Parker Rowland, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Parker Rowland began his career in the aerospace industry, designing repairs and modifications for various naval aircraft. He advanced from being an aerospace structures engineer to managing a team of engineers supporting the majority of the Navy's trainer aircraft.

As his responsibilities grew, Parker returned to his alma mater, the University of Florida, to earn an MBA and MS in Industrial Engineering. The knowledge gained from these degrees helps him bridge the technical and business aspects of his role, enabling him to serve effectively as Russell Rowland’s CFO.

He is also a die-hard Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars fan and enjoys going to football games with his wife Jackie and daughter Harper.

Community Involvement:

JAX Chamber

South Council – Member
NextUp JAX – Member

Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA)

Builder’s Care – Secretary 2024
Emerging Leaders Program 2023
Young Professionals Group (YPG) – Member

Rotary Club of Bartram Trail – Board Member

Treasurer 2024-2025
Community Service Chair 2022-2023

Areas of Expertise:

Process Improvement
Business Management
Accounting
Finance

Email:[email protected]

Ben Pearson, PE

Lead Engineer-Tampa

Ben Pearson, PE

Lead Engineer-Tampa

Ben has been working in the structural engineering industry since graduating college in 2015, specializing in residential structures and value-engineered design. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida State University and became a licensed professional engineer in 2021.

Ben began his professional career as a summer intern right out of college, allowing him to advance through the ranks and eventually become a Lead Engineer and account manager for multiple clients. He is known for his hard-working attitude and readiness to serve.

Prior to working for Russell Rowland, Ben assisted with structural inspections on multiple large-scale projects. Some of these projects include a multi-storied cancer research hospital, the City of Jacksonville’s primary transportation hub, and a St. Johns County school gymnasium. Working on these large-scale projects gave Ben valuable insight into the differences between residential and commercial engineering. He also enjoys the challenges of designing high-end oceanfront homes and complex renovations.

In the summer of 2021, Ben and his wife relocated to Tampa, FL to open the Russell Rowland Tampa office, serving homeowners and building professionals in the greater Tampa/Sarasota area.

A native of Fort Walton Beach, Ben loves being outdoors and soaking up Florida’s sunshine. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife and newborn son.

Industry Involvement:

Suncoast Builders Association (ScBA)
Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA)
Tampa Bay American Institute of Architects (AIA Tampa Bay)
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board Member

Areas of Expertise:

Single and Multi-Family Residential
Renovations & Additions
Structural Calculations and Project Tools
Commercial Structures

Email:[email protected]

Paul Rowland

Director of Business Development

Paul Rowland

Director of Business Development

Before joining Russell Rowland, Paul had a diverse and accomplished career with a major telecommunications company, focusing on supply chain management, procurement, and sales. As a lifetime Certified Procurement Manager, he brings extensive experience in domestic and international negotiations and contracting, supply chain management, policy and procedure development, quality control, and value-added sales. Paul graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, emphasizing Marketing and Management.

Outside of the office, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife Lori and family, playing trumpet in his church choir, volunteering in the community, jogging, playing golf, pickleball, and relaxing at the beach.

Industry involvements:

JAX Chamber Beaches Division - Member
AT&T Pioneers Volunteer Network/li>

Areas of Expertise:

Business Management
Contract Negotiations
Process Improvement
Quality Control
Marketing

Matt Pena

Design Operations Manager

Matt Pena

Design Operations Manager

Matt Pena has over a decade of experience in structural design and extensive experience in managing design teams. He graduated from ITT Tech with an Associate’s degree in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CAD). Prior to joining Russell Rowland, Inc., he specialized in high volume residential production design for both Architectural and Structural Engineering using Revit 3D.

In his current role, Matt enjoys managing the variety of projects at Russell Rowland, including outdoor structures, repairs, alterations, and new construction projects. He takes pride in his relationships with team members and clients and is committed to continued growth as a professional leader. He also seeks to gain additional engineering knowledge to design almost any structure.

In his spare time, you can find Matt running around either with his three young children or on the flag football field. He also looks forward to woodworking and renovating his home, thanks to the additional skills he's acquired at Russell Rowland.

Industry involvements:

Creekside High School Engineering Academy – Advisory Board Member
Pedro Menendez High School – Engineering Academy– Advisory Board Member

Areas of Expertise:

Structural & Architectural designs
Operations
Team leading & training
Single and Multi-Family Residential
Production Volume Homebuilders
Base Plan Development

Jennifer Shannon

Office Administrator

Jennifer Shannon

Office Administrator

Jennifer has over three decades of experience in providing administrative support to a wide range of industries. Her cheerfulness and professionalism are the greatest attributes she brings to the Russell Rowland team. She primarily focuses on supporting the team, building meaningful client relationships, and organizing corporate events to enhance company culture. Jennifer has been happily married to her husband, Frank, since 1983 and has three sons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Areas of Expertise:

Administrative Support
Communication
Organization

Gabriel Northcut

Business Operations Analyst

Gabriel Northcut

Business Operations Analyst

Gabriel Northcut recently earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Business Administration from the University of North Florida, as well as an Associate’s degree in Human Resources and Leadership. Prior to joining Russell Rowland full-time, he gained valuable experience working at several Fortune 500 companies.

Gabriel's diverse professional background equips him to handle various responsibilities within the company, including finance, human resources, operations, and business development. He is also actively involved in several young professional organizations. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys volunteering in the community, saltwater fishing, and spending time with his family.

Industry involvements:

JAX Chamber NextUp Jax- Member
NEFBA Young Professionals Group (YPG)- Member

Areas of Expertise:

Finance
Investments
Human Resources

Stephen Pommerenk

Lead Structural Designer

Stephen Pommerenk

Lead Structural Designer

Originally from New York, Stephen moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2005. He graduated from ITT Tech with an associate’s degree in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CAD). While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Project Management, he entered the construction industry as a CAD Designer with a local structural engineering firm.

Throughout his 10-year career, Stephen has had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide array of professionals in the residential construction industry and continues to develop new skills daily. He has extensive experience training and leading design teams responsible for thousands of residential projects nationwide. As his CAD expertise grew, Stephen began judging SkillsUSA drafting contests in Jacksonville. He served on multiple advisory boards for local high schools' engineering and construction academies, helping develop curricula and career opportunities for students.

In his spare time, Stephen can be found hiking, reading, or exploring new coffee shops and restaurants. He is also an avid basketball fan and enjoys both playing and watching the sport.

Areas of Expertise:

Single & Multi-Family Residential
Production Volume Homebuilders
Base Plan Development

Sierra Simpson, EI

Structural EI

Sierra Simpson, EI

Structural EI

Sierra began her career with Russell Rowland after graduating from the University of Florida in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, specializing in structures. She obtained her E.I. Certification and is currently gaining the work experience needed to obtain her P.E. license.

Since joining the RR team, she has been gaining experience in designing projects with various materials, including wood framing, masonry, and steel. She enjoys learning about the challenges and applications of each material and applies this knowledge to various projects, including residential homes and repairs. Additionally, she tackles the unique challenges of designing outdoor structures like pergolas and cabanas.

When she’s not at work, Sierra enjoys playing video games, fishing, and spending time with her friends and family. She is an animal lover and has two pets, a fire newt and a cat.

Industry Involvement:

NEFBA Professional Women in Building (PWB) - Member
Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) - Member

Areas of Expertise:

Single & Multi-Family Residential
Renovations & Additions
Outdoor Structures
Structural Repairs & Alterations

Marshall Parsons

Structural CAD Designer II

Marshall Parsons

Structural CAD Designer II

Marshall Parsons is a dedicated Structural Designer with over seven years of experience in design. Beginning his career immediately after high school, Marshall has been in the industry ever since, honing his skills and developing a deep passion for home design. Throughout his career, he has worked on a diverse range of plans, including architectural, structural, electrical, estimating, and HVAC projects. He has contributed to hundreds of projects, always striving to innovate and enhance efficiency wherever possible.

Outside of his professional life, Marshall enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing video games, and often spends his downtime getting lost in a good book.

Areas of Expertise:

Single and Multi-Family Residential
Multi-Disciplinary Projects
Production Volume Homebuilders
Base Plan Development
3D Modeling
Architecture

Xan Newsome

Structural CAD Designer II

Xan Newsome

Structural CAD Designer II

Xan Newsome moved from Georgia to St. Augustine, Florida in 2016 where he attended the Building and Construction Academy at Pedro Menendez High School. There, he worked diligently to develop the skills needed to succeed in the construction industry. He participated in the SkillsUSA drafting competition and was a finalist in the district Project Innovation competition. Through the academy, he also had the opportunity to work on projects for the St. Augustine Parks Department.

Xan began his professional career by joining the Russell Rowland team after graduating in 2021. Since then, he began attending the University of North Florida working towards a degree in Civil Engineering and continues to develop new skills daily. In his free time, Xan enjoys playing and listening to music as well as playing tabletop RPGs with his family and friends.

Areas of Expertise:

Single & Multi-Family Residential
Production Volume Homebuilders
Renovations & Additions

Matthew Green

Structural CAD Designer

Matthew Green

Structural CAD Designer

Matthew Green attended Pedro Menendez High School (PMHS) and joined the Russell Rowland team after graduating in 2022. During his time at the Building and Construction Academy at PMHS, he participated in the SkillsUSA Competition for two years, placing in the top three both times. He demonstrated his leadership skills by becoming a Project Manager within the ACE program. Through the academy, he had numerous opportunities to apply his CAD knowledge and drafting skills to design various residential plans.

In his free time, Matthew enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and hiking. He also enjoys landscape design and spending time with friends and family.

Areas of Expertise: