Meet Our Instructors

Chief Academic Officer

David has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire. 

Credentials:

• Licensed Architect
• Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER – Certified > 5 Years)
• Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360
• Adobe Visual Design Specialist
• SketchUp Certified 3D Warehouse Content Developer

Bachelor of Arts

Student Experience Manager | I.T. Specialist

John has been working in the Multimedia World for more than 15 years but has had an interest in it ever since he was a child. He moved to San Diego to attend the University of California, San Diego, and upon graduating, decided to stick around “because of the weather.” He joined the VDCI Team in 2019 and has since come to appreciate a multitude of VDC Software.

• Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI)
• Bluebeam Professional

Bachelor of Architecture

Software Certification Specialist

Luis has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Southern California and over 10 years of professional AEC industry experience. He has made extensive use of AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit and Photoshop in his work, and is happiest when helping others achieve success. He’s an avid traveler who has run 10 marathons and enjoys reading, yoga, camping, volunteering and attending music festivals all over the world.

Bachelor of Architecture, Registered Architect

Revit Instructor

Mike is recognized by Autodesk as one of North America’s leading Revit Certified Instructors. He has significant experience integrating Revit, 3ds Max, and Rhino and uses Revit Architecture on medium and large-scale bio and nano-tech projects. Mike has been an integral member of the VDCI team for over 15 years, offering his hard-charging, “get it done right” approach and close attention to detail. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, children, and dog.

• Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI GOLD – 1 of 20 Awarded Globally)
• Autodesk Certified AutoCAD Professional
• Autodesk Certified Revit Professional
• Revit

Bachelor of Arts, Registered Architect, LEED AP BD+C Accredited

AutoCAD Instructor

John graduated from VDCI in 2010. He has over 10 years of experience using Revit and AutoCAD in commercial, government, and residential architectural projects. He has served as an onsite TA for several years and teaches many of the online AutoCAD courses. An avid bicycler, John enjoys traveling and experiencing the great outdoors all around the world.

• Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER – Certified > 5 Years)
• Autodesk Certified AutoCAD Professional
• Autodesk Certified Revit Professional
• AutoCAD

Master of Landscape Architecture , LEED AP BD+C Accredited

SketchUp and Blueprint Reading Instructor

Chris has an undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. He is a California-registered landscape architect. Chris is actively engaged in the professional community and is well known for how he addresses multifaceted issues to craft solutions for community enrichment. In his spare time, Chris enjoys camping with his family in the wild open spaces of rural San Diego County.

• Autodesk Certified AutoCAD Professional
• AutoCAD, SketchUp

Professional Estimator

Construction Estimating Instructor

Ed started Wenz Consulting after 35 years as a professional estimator. He continues to work on various projects while also dedicating time to teaching and training through Wenz Consulting and VDCI. Ed has over 10 years of experience in Sage Estimating Development and Digital Takeoff Systems and has an extensive background in Construction Software and Communications Technology. Ed enjoys spending his free time with his wife and grandchildren in San Diego.

• Sage Estimating Certified Instructor
• Construction Cost Estimating

Mechanical Engineer

Revit MEP Instructor

Katie has worked for more than 5 years in the mechanical engineering industry, focusing on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design and coordination for GMP clients in pharmaceutical production. She has recently joined a new engineering firm in Kansas City, where she continues to broaden her engineering design and management skills.

• Autodesk Certified Instructor
• Revit MEP

 Bachelor of Architecture

SketchUp Pro Instructor

Over the course of the last 10 years of his architectural experience and training, Derek has developed a very strong set of skills and talents towards architecture, design and visualization. Derek grew up in an architectural family with his father owning his own practice in custom home design. Throughout the years, Derek has had the opportunity to work and be involved at his father's architecture office, dealing with clients, visiting job sites, and contributing in design and production works. Recently, Derek has built up an incredible resume of architecture experiences working at firms such as HOK in San Francisco, GENSLER in Los Angeles, and RNT, ALTEVERS Associates, HMC, and currently as the lead designer at FPBA in San Diego. Derek has specialized in the realm of architectural design and digital design.

• SketchUp Pro

Licensed Architect | Contractor | CAD/BIM Specialist

Reid isn't just someone who knows CAD and BIM; he's a licensed architect and contractor who deeply integrates these technologies into every facet of his career. His hands-on experience as a practitioner building real-world projects provides him with an invaluable understanding of how BIM and CAD streamline workflows and enhance design. This practical foundation led him to Autodesk, where he shared his expertise, helping others effectively leverage these powerful tools. Throughout his professional journey, Reid also dedicates himself to education, consistently teaching university courses and shaping the next generation of design professionals by equipping them with essential CAD skills. His unique blend of practical experience, industry knowledge gained at Autodesk, and passion for teaching positions Reid as a true specialist in BIM and CAD technology, capable of bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.

Credentials:

• Autodesk Fusion Certified User
• Autodesk Revit Certified Professional
• Autodesk Certified Instructor
• Licensed Architect
• Licensed General Contractor

AEC Software Specialist

David is the AEC Software Specialist at VDCI, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Associate’s degree of science in Drafting and General Design from ITT Technical Institute. A San Diego native with over 12 years working in the Design Industry and construction industry, David brings his construction and design expertise to help all students achieve their goals in the field. Outside of his professional life, David loves attending concerts, festivals, playing his guitar and restoring and repairing all types of vehicles.

Credentials:

• OSHA 30 hr. Construction Safety Certified
• Construction Software: SketchUp, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Suite (AutoCAD, Fusion, REVIT)
• Mechanical Software: PTC CREO Parametric, Solidworks, MasterCAM

School Director, Instructor, & Senior Course Developer

Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives at Noble Desktop. Dan has been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading Noble Desktop’s latest AI course offerings. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com.