Ralph Whitley is a firm principal and mechanical engineer.  Prior to joining STW in 2010, Ralph worked in the design-build arena where he led HVAC design for manufacturing clients like Toyota Boshoku, Link Belt, FedEx, and Nestle.  This work taught him how to bear-down and do hardcore estimating of mechanical and plumbing systems.

His spoken passion for complicated projects is complimented by his ability to think creatively and engineer functional, maintainable, and sustainable HVAC systems for owners.  Ralph is highly detailed.  He is known for defining project success early on and delivering on it every step of the way.

Ralph thinks creatively to engineer innovative strategies to achieve energy efficient systems cost effectively.  He is the first engineer in Kentucky to design and install a Chilled Beam system.  For STW, he designed our first ice storage system and is the engineer of record for two net zero-ready buildings.

He has a personal interest in historic, downtown buildings which is why his favorite STW projects incorporate adaptive re-use.  His interests include sand volleyball and UK Football.  In his community, Ralph is a member of Lexington Rotary Club and a 2016 graduate of Leadership Lexington.