In this episode, we talk to J. G. (Greg) Soules, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., P.Eng, a Senior Principal Structural Engineer and the Technical Authority for Seismic and Wind Engineering for CB&I, about his involvement in the Peachoid Water Tower project, how he received his Ph.D. at 63, and why professional judgment is important as an engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Greg: CB&I Storage Solutions designed the “Peachoid,” a 135-foot-tall water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina, U.S., that resembles a peach. Why was it designed in the shape of a peach? What were some of the challenges faced when designing this project, especially the wind and seismic loads? You received your Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at age 63. What was it like for you, and what is your opinion on life-long learning? Why would you say it is so important for engineers to get involved in professional organizations, and how has it benefited your engineering career? Do you have any tips on how engineers can develop and build their professional judgment skills? Do you have any last final piece of advice for engineers in the structural industry out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Peachoid Water Tower: Professional Judgement Skills for Engineers: Elevated water towers, along with providing the water pressure needed to provide fire protection, wash clothing, and flush toilets for the community, often give cities and towns their unique personality and sense of pride. Many water towers display the town's name, logo, or a local sports team so that everyone from miles around knows where they are. There are also water towers across the country, built by CB&I, that resemble milk bottles, ketchup bottles, baseballs, billiard balls, golf balls, and smiley faces. The "Peachoid" was designed to resemble a peach because peach production was an important segment of Gaffney's economy. The people of Gaffney wanted the whole world to know that Gaffney, South Carolina, produced more peaches than the "Peach State" of Georgia. The “Peachoid” is no different than any other water spheroid built by CB&I. The wind design did prove challenging. The large leaf was supposed to be ornamental sheet metal. The ornamental leaf also had to resist the 100-mph wind that the tank was designed for. It meant that the ornamental leaf had to be heavily stiffened to resist the resulting wind loads. The more you learn, the more you realize what you don’t know. Take advantage of opportunities that are presented to you. Greg’s Ph.D. was not his first excursion into life-long learning. He joined CB&I with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. In 1988, he went back to school at night and was awarded an MBA from the University of Houston in 1991. Dr. Scott Norville of Texas Tech University allowed him to take several graduate civil engineering classes. He then received an M.S. in Civil Engineering in 2009. A few years later, Scott convinced him to work on a Ph.D. Participating in a professional society is another part of being a professional. It is a great way to give back to the profession by getting involved in professional practice issues, developing codes and standards, and advocating for the profession. A professional society is a great place to network and learn from others. Joining and being active in a professional society, such as ASCE or SEI, is the best way to learn by association with smarter people. Professional judgment is a trait that cannot easily be taught or learned in school. Professional judgment is something you learn over time from experience, often from bad experiences. There are many experienced engineers in the profession that have developed very good professional judgment skills. Young engineers should seek out these more experienced engineers and learn fr...