October 28, 2016
Director, U.S. Southeastern Region, Caribbean and LatAm, Property Loss Consulting and Forensics Practice
DeSimone Consulting Engineers is pleased to welcome Leonardo Garzon, the Director of its Property Loss Consulting and Forensics service in the U.S. Southeastern Region, Caribbean and Latin America. As Director, Mr. Garzon will provide technical oversight and management of the firm’s forensics team in these regions, encompassing both pre and post-loss services.
With more than twenty years in the design, construction, and insurance industries, Leonardo has extensive experience in the evaluation, risk assessment, forensic investigation, and remedial design for a variety of structures and infrastructure projects. Leonardo has assisted leading insurance and reinsurance companies, their representative attorneys and independent loss adjusters in high-value disputes, evaluating the scope and nature of losses and providing pre-loss risk assessments for properties in the Energy, Infrastructure, Commercial and Residential sectors throughout the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.
During Mr. Garzon’s career, he provided immediate damage assessment of buildings and subway tunnels following the WTC terrorist attacks of 9/11, and also provided engineering advice for temporary stabilization of structurally unsafe buildings located in the immediate vicinity of the disaster site. Mr. Garzon has also responded to large commercial and infrastructure losses following the Chile and Haiti earthquakes of 2010, and many other large isolated loss events. In addition, he has reviewed the technical aspects of a wide range of construction projects in the U.S. and Latin America, and advised underwriters on the exposure to natural perils, as well as quality of contractors, adequacy of construction schedule and construction methods, proposed construction budgets, and political and cultural environment.
“Leo brings an international perspective to our organization, with a multicultural background and the diverse experience associated with operating on many different continents. Having spent several years as the principal risk engineer for an international insurer, he has gained invaluable knowledge of the underwriting process and risk/reward proposition. This is truly a unique set of skills and we are pleased to have him leading our LATAM team.”
Charles P. Meade
Managing Director of Forensics, DeSimone Consulting Engineers
“Leo will add another dimension to our Miami operation, as we look to further integrate our international business in Latin America with our other businesses throughout the US and beyond. This is another major step towards the continued expansion of our firm.”
Stephen V. DeSimone
CEO and President, DeSimone Consulting Engineers
After receiving his undergraduate degree in his native country of Colombia, Mr. Garzon went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University in New York. Among his many accomplishments, he is registered by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) as Evaluator for their Post-Earthquake Evaluation of Buildings-Safety Assessment Program (SAP), and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Florida.
Leonardo Garzon’s contact information:
800 Brickell Avenue, 6th Floor
Miami, FL, 33131
T. 305.908.3250
M. 646.552.3922
Leonardo.Garzon@de-simone.com