Menu
Gary Brennen, in partnership with fellow co-president Cyrus Izzo, has transformed the firm into a global engineering, consulting and commissioning powerhouse, with more than 500 employees across 16 offices, acclaimed for innovation, technical design excellence and dedication to client service.
Before becoming co-president in 2007, Gary served as managing director for the Western region, overseeing the firm’s geographic expansion by opening new offices in San Diego and San Francisco, and strengthening the firm’s capabilities in aviation, convention centers, critical facilities and healthcare.
Gary joined Syska right from college in 1982. He has worked with many of the firm’s clients on the most complex and important projects, including the United States Courthouse Los Angeles; Long Beach Civic Center including Port of Long Beach headquarters; Long Beach Courthouse; Los Angeles International Airport; University of California, Los Angeles; L.A. LIVE; Phoenix Convention Center; Minneapolis Convention Center and Orlando International Airport South Terminal.
To enable long-term client relationships, Gary champions a consistently high quality of design excellence and client service by fostering the creation of the Syska Playbook, the firm’s comprehensive practices and procedures guidebook facilitating internal growth, empowerment and engagement among the global team.
A catalyst for innovation, Gary is passionate about sustainability and new technology. “We are seeing a convergence of ideas and tools where we can create truly sustainable buildings and communities. Today, we use powerful modeling tools with a deep knowledge of engineering principles and know-how to predict outcomes and realize our clients’ vision.”
Gary holds a BSAE from The Pennsylvania State University, and is a licensed professional engineer in Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas and New York as well as a LEED AP. As a member of Syska’s board of directors, Gary is responsible for long-term growth and corporate governance of the privately held firm, which was founded in 1928.
Additionally, Gary is active on the USC Architectural Guild Board and an active member of Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). Over the past several years, he has served as a DBIA Western Pacific Region awards panel judge as well as a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Risk Management Committee. Furthermore, he was Syska’s first certified carbon reduction manager (CRM).
When not busy with clients and the Syska team, Gary most enjoys time with his family watching his boys launch their careers and squeezing in some not very good but highly enjoyable golf and tennis.