John Viise has joined Chicago-based, structural engineering firm Halvorson and Partners as a senior project engineer. He was previously an associate with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP.

Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.—a 70-person, full-service engineering firm located in King of Prussia, Pa.—promoted Steven C. Devine, P.E., to vice president of structural engineering. Devine has been part of the Bala team for 14 years. His current position uses his design expertise, while expanding his role into business development and account management.

Ruby+Associates, a structural engineering firm based in Farmington Hills, Mich., announced the addition of Keith J. Kowalkowski, Ph.D., to its team. A recent doctorate graduate of Purdue University, Kowalkowski’s dissertation was completed on the "Effects of multiple damage-heat straightening repairs on the structural properties, fracture toughness, and serviceability of steel bridges." In addition, he has published several articles on the topic. He earned his bachelor’s of civil engineering from Michigan State University.

Pruitt Eberly Stone, Inc., a commercial structural engineering firm in Atlanta, congratulated Erik Swerdlow for passing the P.E. exam. The firm also appointed the following employees to project manager: Eric Smith, Rico Smith, Nathan Heinlein, Marina Bradford, and Erik Swerdlow, P.E.