Thornton-Tomasetti Group expanding Asian operations.

In a move that strengthens its international presence, The Thornton-Tomasetti Group, a 450-person, premier engineering and design firm, is expanding its Asian operations by opening offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong to better serve new and existing clients. Dennis. C.K. Poon, P.E., managing principal, will continue to oversee the Asian operations, supported by Associates Yi Thu in Shanghai and C.T. Tam Hong Kong. Tam and Zhu will each be responsible for the day-to-day management of their respective offices.

"Although we have been working in the region for many years, the. new offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong provide an opportunity for us to expand our practice and continue to provide the superior level of service our clients have come to expect," said Dennis C.K. Poon, managing principal.

An accomplished engineer, Poon is responsible for developing the long-term strategy for the future growth and organization of The Thornton-Tomasetti Group in Asia. He has extensive experience in the structural analysis and design of both concrete and steel structures for arenas, stadiums, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Most recently, he served as the managing principal for the design of the award-winning Plaza 66 in Shanghai, China, a strikingly slender all-concrete office tower that is the focal point of a three-million-square-foot commercial complex.

Poon has been involved in the design of several high profile projects throughout the United States, Europe and Asia such as the 101-story Taipei World Financial Center (Taipei 101), CBX Tower in Paris and the World Financial Center in New York. He holds a master's degree in civil engineering from Columbia University and bachelor's degree from the University of Texas.

In Shanghai, Zhu will coordinate with the design team members locally and also supervise engineers in the development of plans from conception to completion in conjunction with Thornton-Tomasetti's New York and Hong Kong offices. He has been involved in the design of several projects in the U.S., Indonesia, China and Europe. Zhu has a master's degree in civil engineering from City College of New York as well as a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Tong Ji University in Shanghai.

In Hong Kong, Tam will manage the day-to-day operations of the Hong Kong office. Currently, Tam is working on the design competition of the Hong Kong Government Complex, which contains space for the legislature and a concert hall, as well as a public exhibit hail and gallery. He is also working on the Taikoo Hui Complex project in Guangzhou and the Futian Shangri-la mixed-use project in Shenzhen. He holds a master's degree in civil engineering from Cornell University, a master's degree in business administration from New York University and a degree from California State University.