With more than a decade of professional experience, John Ashley Woodlief has built a career in civil engineering defined by creativity and leadership. Supported by a lifelong love of connections, Woodlief embarks on projects that benefit his community. As principal at Site Advice Inc., he continues to elevate both function and form through engineering.
An Early Interest in Engineering
From an early age, Woodlief possessed a unique fascination with how places are designed and connected. Growing up in a rural area, he developed a love for maps and roads that led him to build bike paths and bridges in the woods. Indoors, he crafted model cities and train layouts and became an avid map collector. What was a hobby sparked a curiosity about transportation networks, land use, and communities.
Woodlief pursued his passion at North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and a Master of Science in civil engineering and transportation in 2001 and 2003, respectively. His studies focused on the challenges between private land use and the needs of public transportation, a dynamic that continues to influence his perspective.
Shortly after graduating, Woodlief joined ColeJenest & Stone in 2004 as a design engineer III. In 2011, he transitioned his engineering expertise to serve as a project engineer at RMF Engineering Inc., which refined his technical skill set and broadened his understanding of the built environment. He would later be licensed as a professional engineer.
Founding Site Advice, Inc.
In 2012, Woodlief founded Site Advice Inc. as the firm’s principal. Driven by a desire to lead and to develop a more intentional design platform, he used Site Advice to emphasize design quality, comprehensive planning, and a holistic approach. Though the process of building this firm was difficult, he attributes his eventual success to his wife’s constant support and collaboration.
In 2022, Woodlief found the opportunity to refine Site Advice’s consulting focus to residential development projects. He leveraged his in-house engineering capabilities to streamline design processes, delivering the cohesive, well-executed communities he has long hoped for.
Civic Involvement and a Community Philosophy
In addition to his professional contributions, Woodlief is also actively involved with organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. He is proud to count Habitat for Humanity among his clients, a partnership that reflects his belief that homeownership is fundamental to a community’s economic health and social well-being. For him, the pride of homeownership is an intangible asset that strengthens families and binds neighborhoods together.
Within the next five years, Woodlief plans to expand his engineering firm to a team of at least 30 employees. He hopes to have five to 10 development projects underway at any given time, with a focus on land development. Today, he continues to invest his energy and expertise into innovative solutions aimed at expanding access to homeownership and community.
