Describe your day-to-day responsibilities.
Many of the projects I work on require the design of stormwater management facilities, storm drainage systems and culverts, waterline, sanitary sewer, roads, erosion and sediment control measures, and overall site layout and grading. For every project, I have to coordinate with the client and county staff to ensure that my design meets county regulation requirements while achieving the client’s vision for the site.
How long have you worked with Greenhorne & O'mara and how have your responsibilities increased?
I began working for Greenhorne & O’Mara as an intern in 2000 during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years at Virginia Tech. I continued working summers and winters until graduation in 2004, splitting time between the office and working with the survey crews in the field. After being hired on full time, I worked closely with a project manager on specified tasks. As I gained experience I was able to work more independently and design complete sites.
What type of projects do you work on?
I work on residential subdivisions, road design, utility projects for municipalities, infrastructure design for commercial pad sites, mass grading plans, as well as site design for retail buildings.
What type of activities, associations or memberships have you had that contributed to your career?
Since graduating from Virginia Tech, I have attended various training seminars about stormwater management design, Low-Impact Development, landscaping and environmental permitting and mitigation. I also attend county zoning and board of supervisor meetings to support our clients during the public hearing process.
Looking back to your college years, what type of internship or jobs did you have that have helped your career path?
My internships with G&O while I was in college were invaluable. My connections with the company helped me attain a full-time position after graduation; the technical experience I gained enabled me to accomplish project tasks and receive responsibility quickly. I also participated in the Co-op program through Virginia Tech and worked a semester with Opus East in their Rockville office. I spent a lot of time on the construction site as an assistant superintendent, conducting take-offs for bid preparation and managing subcontractors to keep the project on schedule. Even before my internship experience, I worked as a laborer for a construction company on a pipe crew; that experience made me a better design engineer and gave me insight into the means and methods of heavy construction.
Will you be sitting for your PE exam in the coming future?
I currently have EIT status and I am sitting for the PE in October 2008.
