In 1994 Peter Smeallie established Research Opportunities Management, a consulting firm offering strategic advice on developing research and development programs for universities and other organizations. His knowledge of federal R&D programs and his extensive experience with the research procurement process within federal agencies provides a valuable link to the dynamic federal R&D world. Mr. Smeallie has served as a consultant with the National Institute of Building Sciences, the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, and a number of engineering and design firms. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Rock Mechanics Association.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Smeallie worked for 12 years at the National Academy of Sciences where his responsibilities included directing advisory research studies in areas such as geotechnology, manufacturing, energy engineering, construction technology, infrastructure and urban systems, and advanced technologies applied to design and engineering practice. Mr. Smeallie's last position at the Academy was Director of the Geotechnical Board; he also served as a senior staff officer of the Building Research Board.
While at the Academy, Mr. Smeallie was study director for over 20 major projects and participated as staff in 10 additional studies. Results from these reports included the establishment of NSF's Engineering Research Centers; the selection of the first Manufacturing Technology Centers for NIST; the adoption of anti-terrorist design and engineering recommendations for new U.S. embassy buildings for the Department of State; recommendations to NSF for a forward-looking infrastructure research agenda; and recommendations to DOE for an advanced drilling and excavation research program.
From 1979-82, Mr. Smeallie was Vice President of Thomas Vonier Associates, Inc., an architectural and construction research firm. Among his clients were the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Building Museum, the National Park Service, and Solar Energy Research Institute. During this time, Mr. Smeallie authored (with J. Eberhard) A Guide to the Federal Government for Design and Building Professionals.
Before Vonier Associates, Mr. Smeallie was a program manager at the American Institute of Architects Research Corporation from 1975-79. There his clients included the Federal Energy Administration and the Energy Research and Development Administration (both predecessors to DOE), as well as NOAA and the United Nations.
Mr. Smeallie has a degree in Urban Studies from St. Lawrence University. He is author (with P. Smith) of New Construction for Older Buildings: A Design Sourcebook for Architects and Preservationists, published by John Wiley & Sons in 1990. He serves on the City of Alexandria’s Board on Architectural Review for the Old and Historic District.