Swenson Say Faget (SSF) Celebrates the Retirement of Founding Principal and Preservation Champion, Dan Say

After a 45-year run of strengthening, saving, and breathing new life into some of the region’s most iconic buildings, Dan Say, PE/SE, founding principal of SSF, is casting off into retirement.

Dan graduated from Seattle University in 1981 and has been providing structural engineering ever since, with an emphasis and deep appreciation for the history embedded in existing structures. Over the decades, he became one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected voices in historic preservation and adaptive reuse, passionately providing structural engineering solutions that prove that old buildings are not obstacles; they are opportunities.

As one of the founding principals of SSF, Dan, alongside Gary Swenson, Paul Faget, Gary MacKenzie, Nic Rossouw, and Jim Harriott, launched SSF in 1995. From the firm’s earliest days, Dan was crucial in shaping the firm’s identity—building strong client relationships grounded in collaboration, curiosity, technical expertise, and a genuine love for existing buildings and their importance to every community’s history. His influence positively shaped SSF’s company culture, which continues to this day.

Throughout his 45-year career, Dan reeled in an impressive list of iconic projects, including:

• The seismic retrofit and rehabilitation of the Pike Place Market
• More than 20 historic renovations in Pioneer Square, including the Metropole Building and Railspur (the old FX McRory’s building)
• Six Seattle Carnegie Library renovations
• Numerous projects at the Washington State Legislative Campus in Olympia, including the Legislative, Capitol Court, and Insurance Buildings, the Governor’s Mansion, and others
• Over 100 Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle renovations
• The original Rainier Brewery campus along Airport Way in Georgetown

While highly involved with preservation, Dan also thoroughly enjoyed his work designing new structures and high-end homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Some of his new buildings include:

• Port Angeles Field Arts and Events Center
• Lynnwood Neighborhood Center
• University Prep New Science Building
• Ferndale Library
• Tukwila Fire Stations 51 and 52
• Eastside Prep New Tali Hall Performing Arts Center and Classroom Building

Dan approaches every project with his personal touch of curiosity, creativity, and what preservationists want most, a “light touch.” His engineering solutions strengthen buildings without erasing their histories, always respecting the stories, the people, and the communities behind them.

Beyond his project achievements, Dan faithfully served the A/E/C community through leadership roles with:

• The Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Design-in-Public
• The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
• The City of Seattle’s URM Ordinance Task Force Building Owner’s Committee
• A member of ASAP! (the Alliance for Safety, Affordability, and Preservation)
• The Northeast Seattle Design Review Board

His impact and advocacy earned him the honor of Historic Seattle’s Preservation Champion in 2020, a recognition that perfectly captures his passion for preserving existing buildings that are part of our region’s architectural heritage. In 2013, Dan became an AIA Seattle Honorary Member for his many years of service and contributions to the association.

As SSF celebrates Dan’s remarkable career, the firm also looks ahead with confidence. The next generation of leadership includes longtime SSF Principals Blaze Bresko, Chardie Byrne, Brett Mozden, Ryan Reichman, Brian Rittereiser, and Zane Kanyer. This leadership group will continue the firm’s great work that clients expect. Their experience, thoughtful engineering, and commitment to collaboration ensure that the spirit Dan helped cultivate remains a strong foundation for SSF’s future.

What’s next for Dan? As he heads into retirement, he looks to travel, work on the many home and cabin projects he has been putting off, and continue his philanthropic activities with organizations that align with his values. And of course, he expects to do a little fishing too.

“While he’s had a huge hand in shaping who SSF is today, Dan’s influence reaches far beyond our firm. His fingerprints can be seen throughout the Puget Sound and across the national built environment. We’re proud to have had him as a mentor, and even more proud to call him a friend.” – SSF’s Management Team

To Dan from SSF: Thank you for the decades of leadership, mentorship, laughter, and structural guidance. You’ve left an indelible mark on Seattle’s skyline, its history, and all of us at SSF.
Congratulations on your retirement. May every day feel like landing the perfect catch.

A Note from Dan Say PE, SE

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