John Ashley Woodlief
John Ashley Woodlief, PE
Principal | Site Advice, Inc.
An accomplished civil engineer with more than two decades of experience and growing expertise in residential, commercial, and retail development, John Ashley Woodlief, PE, has excelled as the principal at Site Advice, Inc., in North Carolina since 2012. In this capacity, his managerial responsibilities encompass accounting, legal work, and engineering services, with correspondence occupying between 70 and 80 percent of his time.
The first in his family to pursue a career in engineering, Mr. Woodlief gravitated toward the field at a young age. Passionate early on about maps, roads, and understanding how things were made, he built bike paths in the woods on his family’s two-acre property in rural North Carolina. This interest grew throughout middle school, by which point he knew he wanted to be an engineer, and by high school, when he discovered civil engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a master’s in civil engineering and transportation from North Carolina State University in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and subsequently became a licensed professional engineer—a pivotal moment in his professional journey.
Mr. Woodlief excelled as a Design Engineer II at ColeJenest & Stone from 2004 to 2011, during which he cherished the feeling of designing a subdivision independently for the first time. Walking through it and realizing it was his creation—seeing it come to life and knowing it has become a home for many—was an extremely fulfilling experience. Although he has since taken on larger projects, that initial achievement remains a cornerstone in his career and continues to be a source of pride and inspiration for him. He was active as a project engineer at RMF Engineering, Inc. for a year before starting his own company. He had long identified areas for improvement in the previous firms he worked for, but lacked the management authority to implement them.
A dedicated member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Mr. Woodlief also serves as an advocate for Habitat for Humanity. Each year, he prioritizes participation in the organization’s various building projects, reflecting his commitment to community service. While he has also contributed to Meals on Wheels in the past, his primary focus remains on Habitat for Humanity, where he continues to make a meaningful impact.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Woodlief plans to expand his engineering company to a team of at least 30 employees. This growth will play a vital role in fulfilling his long-term vision. He aims to have 5 to 10 development projects underway at the same time, with a particular focus on land development. These objectives demonstrate his dedication to professional growth and his desire to enhance the company’s influence in the industry. Outside of his primary endeavors, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and drawing.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors John Ashley Woodlief for Expertise in Civil Engineering
John Ashley Woodlief is a seasoned civil engineer with a focus on residential, commercial and retail development
CARY, NC, December 10, 2024 — John Ashley Woodlief has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Woodlief is distinguished for his work as a civil engineer and has over a decade of experience in the field. Since 2012, he has been serving as the principal at Site Advice Inc. In this role, he oversees various aspects of the business, including accounting, legal work and engineering. His responsibilities also involve significant correspondence, which occupies approximately 70-80 % of his time. Mr. Woodlief’s expertise in civil engineering, particularly in residential, commercial and retail development, has been instrumental in his success.
Before his tenure at Site Advice Inc., Mr. Woodlief was a project engineer at RMF Engineering Inc. from 2011 to 2012. During this period, he honed his project management and engineering design skills, contributing to numerous successful projects. Mr. Woodlief also garnered success as a design engineer III at ColeJenest & Stone between 2004 and 2011. This role marked the beginning of his professional journey in civil engineering and laid the foundation for his future accomplishments.
Mr. Woodlief’s career is marked by significant milestones, including the independent design of his first subdivision, a project that remains a cornerstone of his career and continues to inspire him.
In preparation for his career, Mr. Woodlief studied at North Carolina State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in civil engineering with a focus on transportation in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Additionally, he became a licensed professional engineer, which was a pivotal moment in his career. These educational achievements have been fundamental to his professional success, providing him with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for his roles.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Woodlief is actively involved in civic organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity. His commitment to community service is evident through his participation in various building projects with Habitat for Humanity each year. This involvement reflects his dedication to giving back to the community and making a meaningful impact. Moreover, Mr. Woodlief has contributed to Meals on Wheels.
Mr. Woodlief attributes much of his success to his wife’s unwavering support, whose patience and financial backing have been crucial throughout their journey together. Looking ahead, he plans to expand his engineering company significantly and aims to have multiple development projects underway simultaneously. These goals underscore Mr. Woodlief’s commitment to professional growth and enhancing the company’s influence.