This time, we caught up with Jennifer Williams, Vice President, Civil Engineering, Water, in the U.S. West region to discover how she chose the path she’s on today.   

Hi Jennifer. What do you do for ArchTam? 

I’ve been with ArchTam and legacy companies for almost 30 years. I contribute to both business development and project delivery by representing ArchTam on a variety of professional societies, managing client relationships and programs, and serving technical roles on dam inspection, analysis, risk assessments, design and construction projects. After raising two daughters, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors of Colorado.

Tell us about your career journey.

I didn’t know what an engineer was until I was about 16. Back then, we didn’t have STEM classes like students do now. My older sister went to the Colorado School of Mines, an all-engineering school, and that was the first time I really learned what engineering was all about. I was inspired by what she was doing and decided to follow in her footsteps.

I began my career out of college as a staff engineer with legacy company Woodward-Clyde in Omaha, Nebraska, specializing in soft soil characterization and mitigation. Much of my early experience was hands-on — working behind a cone penetration test (CPT) or drill rig logging soils or performing construction oversight on civil earthwork projects. I also supported the senior principal, Steve Saye, on design of embankments on soft soils and research into settlement mitigation techniques. He became an early mentor, and after about three years, when I was ready to return home to Denver, he helped make that move possible.

After transferring to the Denver office (then URS), I worked as a project engineer on a broad range of geotechnical projects, including landslide mitigation, landfill design, mine tailings dams, and deep foundations. I eventually asked to be paired with John France, a senior practitioner specializing in dams, and soon joined my first dam project. From that experience, I was immediately drawn to dam engineering — the multidisciplinary nature of the work, the teamwork required to solve complex problems, and the depth of expertise within the office. I was motivated by the variety and technical challenge of each project, the range of geotechnical analyses involved, and the opportunity to collaborate closely with multiple disciplines.

After about 10 years, I transitioned into project management and business development, preparing proposals, engaging with clients and presenting at technical conferences — while continuing to contribute technically. These experiences improved my connection to clients and the broader industry, paving the way for managing larger and more complex programs.

Today, as a vice president at ArchTam, I enjoy a dynamic balance between technical work, project management and business development. I currently serve as the technical lead and project manager for the design of a new 300-foot-tall embankment dam here in Colorado. Additionally, I’m the program manager for technical engineering services for a large hydroelectric company in the Northwest, contributing to a broad range of dam-related work. Beyond that, I assist state dam safety programs in advancing their use of risk-informed decision making, including Colorado, Hawaii and New Mexico.

I’m also actively engaged with the broader dam safety community through various roles — serving on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Society on Dams, chairing the Technical Advisory Committee for the Association of Dam Safety Officials, and being the U.S. representative on the Embankment Dam Committee for the International Commission on Large Dams.

How has mentorship helped you on your path?

Your career path is often shaped, if not defined, by the strengths of the teams and individuals you work with. I’ve had the great fortune to work with a few very impactful mentors — John France, Dick Davidson, and Steve Saye to name a few — who played crucial roles in my career. Their openness in sharing knowledge and their passion for excellence really inspired me and helped me grow. What stood out most was their direct candor; they gave me honest feedback that accelerated my learning curve. They also trusted me by giving responsibility while always having my back — checking my work and redirecting me when needed. That balance of support and challenge really helped propel my career forward and taught me the value of strong mentorship.

What’s something you wish someone told you years ago?

Something I wish I’d learned earlier in my career is the value of seeking out diverse perspectives and learning from peers and senior practitioners alike. Never hesitate to ask questions or seek advice — no matter your level of experience. Collaboration and curiosity lead to better solutions, and there’s no shame in not having all the answers; in fact, some of the best ideas come from simply asking for input.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into dams or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

My advice to women interested in entering the dam industry, or any traditionally male-dominated field, is to not define yourself by the gender balance around you. Seek out mentors, both male and female, who support your growth and push you to take on challenges. Be confident in your skills, stay curious and keep learning. Earn respect through a strong work ethic, technical excellence, and an open, collaborative attitude. The industry needs diverse voices and approaches, especially in engineering fields where collaboration, innovation and problem solving are essential.

If not this path, what would have been your career plan B?

If I hadn’t pursued engineering, I think I would have explored a career in the medical field. I’ve always been drawn to problem solving and helping people, and medicine offers a unique way to do both in a very direct and meaningful way. Whether it was becoming a nurse, a physical therapist, or working in medical research, the idea of contributing to people’s health and wellbeing really appealed to me.

The post Career Path Spotlight: Jennifer Williams appeared first on Blog.

Demonstrating skills

Participating in the event was an incredible experience. I felt immensely grateful to be invited and to represent ArchTam among other esteemed companies. At the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair, I shared details with other apprentices on our nuclear and digital capabilities. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase ArchTam’s expertise in the sector to the MPs, senior civil servants, CEOs of companies and other senior figures, emphasizing our involvement of over 50 years. Our multidisciplinary approach to engineering, covering electrical, civil, mechanical, and structural disciplines, was well-represented by NextGen attendees, referring to the younger generation of engineers and recent graduates, across all engineering fields.

Meeting my local MP

One of the highlights for me was when my MP, Andrew Cooper, actively sought me out and engaged in a meaningful conversation. It was a moment that truly underscored the significance of the event and the impact of our work.

Andrew and I discussed my journey into the nuclear industry. Coming from a domestic electrical background, I started as a trainee electrician, eager to find a career that would expand my skills and knowledge in an exciting design practice. It was through this search that I discovered the opportunities in the nuclear field which immediately stood out to me.

During our conversation, I shared with Andrew that many young people, including myself, don’t initially consider a career in the nuclear industry. However, it is a valuable and rewarding path with numerous opportunities. We discussed ways to spread this message more widely, emphasizing that the nuclear sector offers high-quality training and transferable skills that are applicable across various projects and industries. It’s a career path accessible to many, and it is crucial to highlight its significant growth potential.

Importance of engagement with MPs

Early engagement with MPs during events like this held in Parliament is crucial for apprentices as it showcases how apprenticeships are set up, how they can help bridge the skills gap in various sectors such as nuclear, and the benefits and opportunities given to the apprentices from day one of their career. This is particularly important given the Labour government’s focus on reforming the apprenticeship levy by replacing it with a new and more flexible ‘Growth and Skills Levy’.

Attending such events allows apprentices like me to showcase our direct contribution to projects and gain valuable insights from influential figures. MPs represent the people they serve, and it’s fascinating to hear their perspectives and excitement about developments like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as shared by Andrew. Promoting the nuclear industry is not just about the technology but also about the career opportunities it offers to new engineers. The industry’s evolving nature and unique projects reflect a societal shift in attitudes towards nuclear energy.

Preparation and support

My apprenticeship with ArchTam has prepared me well for attending events and speaking about my experiences to date. Visiting Parliament for the first time was overwhelming, but the support and briefing provided by ArchTam leaders and colleagues made a significant difference. Embracing opportunities and putting myself out there has been key to building my confidence at the event. This advice has been instrumental in my growth and development, and I plan to carry it forward in my career.

Message to the next generation

To aspiring engineers considering an apprenticeship in the nuclear industry, I would say that while it might seem niche on first glance, the skills you gain are highly transferable. The reach and potential of a career in nuclear are immense and rare. It’s a great career path with numerous opportunities for learning and development. The learning environment in the nuclear industry is not always widely known, which is why it’s beneficial to get involved and explore its potential.

Memorable takeaways

One of the most memorable moments from the event was being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share enthusiasm for the future of the nuclear sector. Engaging with senior managers, seasoned industry professionals from other countries, and fellow apprentices has helped me gain a clearer direction for my career aspirations. It reinforced my belief in the industry’s potential and provided a sense of direction for what I can achieve in the future.

Overall, participating in the Nuclear Week in Parliament and the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair has been a transformative experience, shaping my career aspirations and reinforcing my commitment to the nuclear industry.

The post Building careers in nuclear: Insights from the UK Nuclear Week in Parliament 2025 appeared first on Blog.

This time, we caught up with Katie Scancarello, a senior geotechnical engineer from our Water business in the U.S. East region, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.

Hi Katie. What do you do for ArchTam?

I am a senior geotechnical engineer in Providence, Rhode Island and have been with ArchTam for 14 years.

Tell us about your journey and how you got here.

I initially went to college for computer engineering but transitioned to civil engineering because it gave me the opportunity to work in the field. During my junior year, I did a co-op at NASA Glenn Research Center where I conducted research on lunar soil simulants and performed experiments in reduced gravity – this experience led to my passion for geotechnical engineering.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I then pursued my master’s in geotechnical engineering while working part-time at URS in Cleveland, Ohio. I transitioned to full time after graduating and worked there for three years. I was integral in major projects for Tennessee Valley Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

During my second year there, I was placed on a major design build project in Cleveland where I learned how to communicate with non-geotechnical disciplines. It was trial by fire under a tight schedule which gave me the opportunity to expand my technical baseline. I was given significant responsibility which enabled my quick growth in design team management.

In a lateral move, I relocated to Rhode Island to discover a new part of the country. I still reported to the Cleveland URS office, which was acquired by ArchTam during this time. I helped establish an ArchTam geotechnical presence in the Northeast.

I was then promoted to geotechnical engineer. I served as deputy geotechnical lead on the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s largest design build at the time–the Route 6 and Route 10 Interchange Reconstruction project. I supported the geotechnical lead in managing the geotechnical investigation and design for the project.

Currently, I’m a senior geotechnical engineer where I manage the evaluation of underground conditions to provide design recommendations for building and bridge foundations, dams, tunnels, slopes, underground utilities, and retaining walls. Most recently, I was a project geotechnical engineer on the Narragansett Bay Commission Phase IIIA CSO Tunnel (Pawtucket Tunnel) design.

What was a career defining moment for you?

When I was still a junior engineer, my supervisor, who was the geotechnical lead on our large design build project, went on paternity leave. I was put as the point person for the project. When the prime contractor had geotechnical questions, they called me. It was both intimidating and a confidence boost to know that important team members trusted me to make decisions.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Someone once told me that I speak softer when I’m uncertain of the answer I’m giving and that I should speak up to imbue confidence. That advice was hard to hear, but significantly helped me to build confidence in myself.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into tunneling or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

Be yourself and get in there. I heard a lot of negative stories about how men treat women in the construction industry before I joined but I have not experienced the micro and macro aggressions that I was warned against. Don’t listen to the negative messages. Our industry is receptive and supportive of women. Men can be great sponsors/mentors and there are women-focused groups for every field which provide a ton of resources and support.

If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?

I would have been an equestrian trainer for hunter/jumpers on a farm in Oregon.

The post Career Path Spotlight: Katie Scancarello appeared first on Blog.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland (UK&I), our early careers development programme, ADVANCE, is a two-year blended learning opportunity promoting collaboration across all our markets, ensuring that our apprentices network with and learn from each other.

This year, we welcomed over 300 graduates and apprentices into 70 different disciplines, expanding our reach across nearly every UK office. Each early career professional will embark on a structured two-year training programme designed to cultivate their skills and prepare them for pivotal roles in the future.  

Our latest cohort of graduates and apprentices brings expertise across all industries and sectors. From water engineers to energy and sustainability experts, our early careers professionals are integral to our Environment, Water, and Energy, Transportation, and Buildings and Places businesses. They are the future leaders of ArchTam. 

In recent weeks, this year’s group attended the ADVANCE early careers inductions in Birmingham.  These sessions are pivotal for integrating our early careers professionals, providing them with comprehensive training and development, and equipping them with essential knowledge and skills through in-person sessions, interactive activities, and our online curriculum via ArchTam University.

Our graduates have commented on how they have enjoyed contributing to technical projects that have an impact on both communities and the environment. Additionally, our Freedom to Grow framework was well received as it offers our employees flexibility in determining their work schedules and locations, promoting well-being and a healthy work-life balance.

We’re committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the industry, empowering them to make a meaningful impact on the world. Join us as we continue to innovate and drive positive change.

But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what one our graduates shared:

“The insights gained from the ADVANCE training will greatly impact my career growth. It was a memorable experience, and I’m excited about my future with ArchTam.”

Federico Soto, Graduate Structural Engineer, Europe, UK&I

Learn more: UK & Ireland Graduate Careers (aecom.com)

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Across the nation, our young professionals continue to showcase what it means to deliver a better world through innovative ideas and unparalleled leadership. Their sustainable focused work positively impacts our clients, communities and world for generations to come. We are excited to congratulate and introduce our ENR 2024 National and Regional Top Young professionals. Read more about each of our honorees.

ENR Mountain States

Santosh Vangala, Associate, Structural Engineer. Santosh is a registered professional engineer with a master’s degree and 10 years of experience in structural engineering, precast design and project management for commercial projects. As a lead structural engineer, Santosh successfully executed the concept, analysis and design of a theatre operational facility at Peterson Air Force Base and a vehicle maintenance/aircraft support shop/storage complex at F.E Warren Air Force Base. Santosh is also a founding member of ArchTam’s Structural Gatekeeper community, which advocates the use of digital tools and writing scripts to automate repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency.

ENR California

Jacqueline Saladé, Natural Resources Group Manager, Southern California/ Project Director/ Senior Restoration Ecologist. Jacqueline joined ArchTam in 2015 working as a Restoration Ecologist and then as a task manager soon after. Jacqueline’s proactive and team-motivating style facilitated her project successes as well as earned her the role of ArchTam’s Southern California Botany and Restoration Practice Leader, managing a team of 25, just three years after joining ArchTam. One of her most impactful technical achievements has been her contributions to the implementation of an industry-leading, large-scale, seed collection program for a local utility company. With a knack for financial strategy, Jacqueline’s impact also extends into Northern California where she supports ArchTam as a Portfolio Delivery Lead, overseeing financials on over $20M of projects.

ENR Northwest

Courtney Brozovsky, GIS Specialist. Joining ArchTam in 2013, Courtney is a GIS Specialist who seeks to connect with junior staff, peers and mentors by bringing solutions to problems using GIS, technology, creative thinking and a “can-do” attitude. These traits are evident in her involvement during her education, career and the Alaska GIS professional community. Courtney’s career-defining projects include the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project (Alaska Energy Authority), Point Thomson Project (ExxonMobil) and the Bering Sea-Western Interior Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management).

ENR Midwest

Mirela Keserovic, Structural Engineer. In her more than 11-year career, Mirela has worked on some of the Chicago Bridge group’s biggest projects, winning many prestigious regional and national engineering awards; 41st Street Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Shore Drive project won over 20 awards, among them ENR’s 2019 Best of the Best award. As a Peoples Manager, Mirela has been involved in several high-profile engineering projects, consistently delivering exceptional results and reflecting her exceptional skills, unwavering dedication and commitment to both personal and professional growth.

Kendall Williamson, Director of Community and Industry Engagement. Kendall currently manages all engagement and DEI operations for ArchTam’s Hunt’s Central Region, showcasing passion for expanding opportunities for all in every capacity of his work, including historically excluded and marginalized communities. Kendall has had the opportunity to support many award-winning projects, including the Joint Public Safety Training Campus (JPSTC), a state-of-the-art facility to provide comprehensive, joint, best practice training for the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Police Department, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications; and O’Hare21 (ORD21), an $8.5 billion modernization and expansion project to transform O’Hare International Airport to a premier international transit hub.

ENR New York

Ryan Andrew, Vice President, ArchTam Tishman. Ryan Andrew, a construction management professional with a 14-year track record, launched his industry career on a 6.3 million-SF Hotel and Casino project in Atlantic City, NJ. Andrew has been involved in various mixed-use projects in the tri-state area but excels in the management and execution of mega projects. Ryan takes pride in ‘leading by example’ and holds mentoring young professionals as one of his top priorities.

Blair Pan, Senior Project Manager. Blair is a Senior Project Manager at ArchTam Tishman with 12 years of experience working in the construction industry. A few of her most recent projects include One Madison Avenue, 3 Hudson Boulevard and 30 Hudson Yards. Due to her outstanding commitment to her work, as well as her contribution to advocating equality in the ACE industry, she was recognized among the 40 Outstanding Women in Construction Under 40 and also received the Next Generation of Women Builders Award prepared by the Women Builders Council in 2021.

ENR Southwest

Raybeau Richardson, Structural Engineer III. Throughout his 9-year career, Raybeau has worked on several notable projects including assisting in the structural design and radiation shielding for Australia’s ANSTO nuclear medicine facility in Sydney, serving as the lead structural engineer for the design of the new 12,000 SF Headworks Facility at the Wastewater Treatment Facility in Salt Lake City, and as the structural engineer for a 16,000 SF terminal expansion building at the Lea County Regional Airport in Hobbs, NM. Three years into his career, Raybeau passed the Professional Engineering licensing exam and became a licensed PE in the state of New Mexico. Since then, Raybeau has also obtained his PE in the states of Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Texas.

ENR Mid-Atlantic

Jonathan R Eberle, Associate Vice President, Structural Discipline Lead. Jon currently serves as a department manager role, where he enjoys the opportunities to mentor younger staff. He is also the Operations Manager for ArchTam’s national, movable bridge practice where he helps to pursue work and coordinate staffing needs for the practice. He has recently taken on additional responsibilities as project manager for multiple DelDOT tasks and several movable bridge projects where he manages project teams and coordinates with clients and other consultants. Jon has authored papers and presented numerous projects, including DelDOT BR 1-717 Precast Panel Redecking, DelDOT BR 1-813 Emergency Repairs, MnDOT High Bridge Stability Analysis, and CM/GC Delivery.

ENR Texas and Louisiana

Leah Read, Structural Engineer VI. Leah has developed a strong professional focus on flood risk reduction, water conveyance and coastal restoration projects and structures during her 16 years of work with ArchTam. After graduating from Tulane University, Leah stayed in New Orleans working on flood risk reduction and drainage infrastructure projects for USACE and local governments in New Jersey, New York, Texas, California, Kentucky, Ohio, and Louisiana. She progressed as a team engineer and has had leadership roles in multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects. Leah also has a Graduate Certificate in Coastal Engineering and earned licensure in states outside Louisiana, to perform as a structural Engineer of Record (EOR) for several important projects.

Watch to learn more about our honorees’ stories and how their work is pushing the limits of what’s possible.

Want to join a company that’s pioneering the future and where your opportunities are unlimited? Learn how you can be part of our global team today! https://www.archtam.com/careers/

The post Meet our 2024 top young professionals appeared first on Blog.

Across the nation, our young professionals continue to showcase what it means to deliver a better world through innovative ideas and unparalleled leadership. Their sustainable focused work positively impacts our clients, communities and world for generations to come. We are excited to congratulate and introduce our ENR 2023 National and Regional Top Young professionals. Read more about each of our honorees.

ENR National Winner and ENR Texas & Louisiana

Jaime Miller, PE, CCM: Jaime is a program director leading ArchTam’s team providing project and program management services for the City of Richardson’s $397 million 2021 Capital Improvement Program. Previously, Jaime led three of the most unique and complex campus modernization projects of the 2017 Austin Independent School District $1.05 billion Bond Program. These included the award-winning, state-of-the-art Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders ($75 million total project cost) and the Rosedale School for students with severe special education and medical needs that also features a one-of-a-kind partnership with a pediatric clinic. Jaime has many other public infrastructure projects including a successful 72-hour emergency dam stabilization effort as both an engineer and a construction manager.

ENR California

Carla Aguilar Rivera, PE: As a first-generation undocumented Latina raised in a low-income community, Carla has had to overcome constant barriers to blaze her own trail in the infrastructure world. Now, Carla is a rail and transit infrastructure project manager at ArchTam and an engineer of record for several large infrastructure projects all around the world. Working in the Northern California Mega Region, Carla is bringing her experience as a business development lead and client account manager to help develop the local transit group. 

Elliot Wong: A multifaceted leader, Elliot is a certified project manager and ArchTam accredited quality manager whose career has led him from Asia to Europe, to the Middle East, and now California. In his current role with ArchTam, Elliot is working with client development executives systematically through all workstreams of their programs to ensure a more resilient and monitorable approach to their project delivery practices. Elliot has led efforts within several notable projects including Valley Link, Caltrain Grade Separation and San Jose Downtown West Development. Beyond ArchTam, he is making significant, global contributions to the industry. Currently, he’s working on establishing an industry standard to be published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as well as volunteering in Southeast Asia.

ENR MidAtlantic

Heather Riebeling: As a certified project manager as well as transit market sector operations manager for Greater Pennsylvania, Heather has delivered industry-leading project outcomes that greatly influence the transit industry. Heather was the U.S. OCS Team Lead for the Réseau Express Metropolitan (REM) project in Montreal, a CAD$6.3 billion alternative procurement design-build project. Heather also served as Systems and Tunnel Facilities Package Manager on the $2 billion Southwest LRT project. She is currently managing several projects for Amtrak and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia. Heather serves on the board of the IEEE VTS Overhead Contact Systems Committee and is active in WTS and ArchTam’s Pride Employee Resource Group.  

Jonathan Rumbaugh: Jonathan has become a leader in designing mission-critical facilities around the world and has a passion for integrated architecture and engineering design. He is currently the lead engineer for projects across the country and around the world for notable clients, such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, Architect of the Capital, Department of Homeland Security, National Park Service, and government intelligence agencies. He enjoys developing engineering solutions to complex problems for some of the world’s most critical infrastructure projects. Jonathan was the mechanical engineer for the recently completed, 2022 ENR MidAtlantic Best Project Winner, LEED-Gold, NASA Measurement Systems Laboratory, a 175,000-square-foot world-class facility for research and development of concepts, technologies, and systems that helps NASA better understand the Earth’s atmosphere, land spacecraft on other worlds, and improve space travel. Additionally, Jonathan currently serves as the Vice President of the ASHRAE National Capital Chapter and volunteers at several local community service organizations.

Ryan Samuels: Ryan is the founder of PRISM®— ArchTam’s internationally recognized hydrogeologic conceptual site model (CSM)— and a pioneer in the application of sequence stratigraphy to groundwater remediation projects. Ryan has implemented these innovative tools at over 100 complex remedial sites globally. Additionally, he has led and managed over 100 complex sites for the Department of Defense (DoD), private industry, and regulatory agencies, and has supported over $250 million in winning proposals. Ryan has been published in prestigious academic journals, including Springer Nature, and is currently co-authoring a book series.

ENR Midwest

Shelby Rizzi: Shelby is responsible for maintaining and providing technical solutions to ArchTam’s multiple safety databases used by ArchTam’s Construction Management business. She develops corporate safety metrics so ArchTam can measure incident rates as well as data relating to safety audits and observations. Shelby travels around the country providing training on safety databases. She also developed an onboarding training program and a corporate-wide training called Back to the Basics for ArchTam’s Construction Management employees. Lastly, she works closely with ArchTam’s Vice President of Safety to execute and develop corporate safety initiatives, assist with Coronavirus-related protocols, and ensure ArchTam is compliant with corporate and jurisdictional policies and procedures.

Jenell Schroeder: Jenell is the Senior Director and Market Sector Leader of multifamily, office, and hospitality projects for ArchTam Hunt. Jenell is involved in the overall project operations from preconstruction to closeout for the ventures she oversees. She has built over 4,000,000 square feet of high-rise projects. Her current role has expanded her geographic reach to follow clients outside of her primary market of Chicago to other parts of the country. Recently, Jenell has taken on new opportunities in business development to help shape the future of ArchTam Hunt. Janell’s success relies on open and transparent communication throughout the process and collaboration with the design team, ownership, and any other stakeholders to understand the vision and priorities of the project.

Michelle Sweeney: Michelle serves as Senior Project Manager at ArchTam, where she continues to excel through designing and managing municipal highways, urban, federal aid, city, and private site development projects. In addition to being a project manager, Michelle is the Transportation Planning/ CRS Department Leader, which entails staff coordination and assistance with the hiring process. Michelle constantly showcases leadership, such as her work on University Avenue Reconstruction Projects as a project manager. She assisted in transforming the major roadway into a multimodal, Complete Street corridor. Michelle is currently helping to design the IA58 & Greenhill Road Interchange as a project manager, after designing the IA58 & Viking Road Interchange.

ENR Mountain States

Julie Smolarek: Julie has over a decade of experience in dam safety risk analyses, geotechnical analyses, and engineering design. Julie joined ArchTam as a geotechnical engineer in 2012, and she became a geotechnical engineering team leader at the beginning of 2020. Julie has been a leader in developing risk-informed dam safety procedures for state dam safety branches, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawaii. She has also conducted over 20 dam inspections to assess the overall condition of a particular dam and its appurtenant structures and inform risk analyses. Julie has shared her expertise with the dam safety industry through the publication of six technical papers between 2014 and 2021.

ENR Northwest

Paige Anderson: Paige has integrated her passion for environmental stewardship and leadership into a multifaceted career. Now working as an environmental impact analyst at ArchTam in Portland, Oregon, Paige specializes in biological permitting, environmental analysis documents, water quality, and public outreach. Paige has used her varied skillset for a multitude of ArchTam projects—from pipeline repairs in Portland’s Forest Park to the expansion of a Metro line in southern California. She has played an integral role in furthering equity, diversity and inclusion into ArchTam’s practices across the Americas.  

ENR Southeast

Samer Alkhatib: Samer has been working with ArchTam since 2018 in the role of both a program manager and a business development director. He serves the public sector as a program management technical advisor for the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works. As a technical advisor, Samer is leading the department of public work’s internal and external coordination efforts. Through developing and utilizing innovative tools, the goal is to minimize the impact and inconvenience of future projects on City residents and businesses. Throughout his career, Samer’s led high-profile projects and programs, including Wet Weather Consent Decree, Water Rehabilitation & CIP, AMI/AMR, and Transit programs. As a CIP Department Manager, Samer led the development and management of the Maryland Transit Administration’s $2.5 billion capital program.

Grace Porter: Since joining ArchTam, Grace has supported South Carolina’s Transportation Group on a wide variety of projects for SCDOT and other local clients across the state, including road widenings, intersection improvements, safety projects, and multimillion-dollar streetscape/bike-pedestrian improvements. She personally assisted in bridge scour inspections for over 30 bridges across South Carolina, conducted surveys to local bus patrons for transit planning purposes over the course of a week, and aided in the design of many mechanically stabilized earth walls. Grace received a Making a Difference Award from ArchTam in September 2020 for demonstrating innovation and excellence with her work on an upcoming downtown Columbia streetscaping project.

Patrick Wipperman: Prior to graduating from Purdue University, Patrick had already begun working at ArchTam Hunt. Since then, he has advanced from laborer to his current role as a vice president, where he specializes in sports and multi-purpose venues. Onsite day-to-day, Patrick is communicating directly with the client/owner, program manager, and architect. As an executive, he is responsible for but not limited to site safety, site logistics, cost management, contract management/execution, and QA/QC. Patrick has played a prominent role in the construction management of high-profile projects such as the World’s Largest Engine Test Cell in Atlanta, Daily’s Place 6,000 Amphitheater and Covered Flex Field in Jacksonville, USTA Grandstand and South Campus in Flushing Meadows, Barclays Center home of Brooklyn Nets, Amway Center home of Orlando Magic, and Lucas Oil Stadium home of the Indianapolis Colts. 

ENR Southwest

Tyler Besch: Beginning his career with a land developer in Phoenix, Tyler is now a vice president for ArchTam’s transportation business line in the U.S. West region.  In his current roles as the Deputy Transportation Regional Business Line Leader in the Greater West and the Transit-Rail Division Manager in the Greater West and Gulf Coast, Tyler is part of the leadership teams responsible for delivering a business plan comprised of Highways, Structures, Transit, Traffic, and Construction Management, that covers over 20 states and 800 staff. He has exhibited leadership related to driving innovative project delivery and plays a key role in business development, client management, career development, mentorship and general support for staff.  In addition to leadership roles, Tyler is an active project manager delivering projects for key clients. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of Transit, an Arizona nonprofit corporation whose mission is to educate the public on and drive awareness on the benefits of an accessible transit network.

Rumpa Dey: Rumpa is ArchTam’s ITS & Emerging Technology Leader/Group Manager for Arizona and Utah. She is a licensed professional engineer and a professional traffic operations engineer. Through her work, Rumpa seeks to improve mobility and safety with the design and implementation of cutting-edge technologies. She has been assisting government agencies as well as private clients with innovative solutions to address emerging transportation issues. With her innovative designs, Rumpa has been able to make significant positive financial impacts on several landmark projects in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. More importantly, Rumpa is a proud mom of two wonderful boys.    

ENR Texas & Louisiana

Stefanie Massey: As the youngest technical auditor in the Americas, Stefi serves as a project manager and client account manager. Her area of expertise includes wastewater treatment facilities, lift station, and pump station rehabilitation, and expansions. She is improving water and wastewater infrastructure for millions of people in North Texas, helping support clients in delivering clean water to citizens or ensuring they can release clean water to the Trinity River and other local bodies of water.

Want to join a company that’s pioneering the future and where your opportunities are unlimited? Learn how you can be part of our global team today! https://www.archtam.com/careers/

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Our professional development programs are based on our Leadership Capabilities—our framework for leadership behaviors and how we cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, growth and inclusivity at ArchTam.

“It’s important that we invest in the full pipeline of leaders to support our vision and culture,” says ArchTam’s Global Vice President, Leadership Development Kimberly Currier. “Regardless of what level someone is at ArchTam, our series of development programs is designed to help accelerate and boost performance as employees make critical turns in their careers.”

Leadership at all Levels programming is tailored to each career level to help our employees become innovative thinkers, supportive managers, and impactful leaders. Take a look at what we offer to support the growth of your technical capabilities and professional skills.

We support our early career employees by helping them learn about our vision and focus, how our business operates and kickstart networking across our organization. A few of our early career programs are:

• Graduate Development Program (Americas)  
• Growing Professional Skills (Australia and New Zealand)
• ADVANCE (Europe and India, Middle East and Africa)

To help our employees become trusted advisors with our clients, our Accelerate program focuses on developing the skills they need to build confident, promising relationships with clients that enable them to counsel and make recommendations.

Through our Manager Mindset Development Series, we offer our people managers tools to deliver great work while supporting and cultivating diverse and thriving teams. This includes equipping them with the skills they need to manage others with empathy, create a coaching culture, and stay informed on timely topics in our organization.

For our high-performing employees who are strong contributors and want to level up their leadership and business skills, we offer Elevate (Americas) and Evolve (Europe and India, Middle East and Africa). These programs are focused on self-awareness, strategic thinking, and career development planning.

To prepare the strongest drivers of our business as future business leaders at ArchTam, weoffer Business Builders Circle, which provides opportunities for coaching and mentorship.

To further develop our best strategic, operational and technical talent, we offer CEO Circle, our executive leadership development program that prepares our leaders to drive growth and transportation across our organization. The program features Wharton Executive Education as a learning partner. CEO Circle participant Andrew Bui said of his experience, “I’ve learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader, and importantly, I’ve learned a lot about the qualities I want to strive for to make myself a stronger leader for both my team as well as ArchTam as whole.”

Technical skill building

Your career is as unique as you are – reflecting your own capabilities and ambitions. In addition to our professional development programs, we also encourage our employees to hone their technical skillset.

• ArchTam University offers self-directed, personalized learning content from providers, including LinkedIn Learning, TED Talks, AutoDesk and Bentley.
• Our Global Business Line Technical Academies include high-quality, structured technical learning across our global business lines.
• Our Technical Practice Network provides access and exposure to the people, tools and resources that drive our commitment to technical excellence.

Our programs will let you assess your own abilities, learn with others, and personalize your professional development. 

Be sure to check out our Career Paths framework to see how you can pursue rewarding career opportunities at ArchTam with our four career paths.

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Across our business, our young professionals are pushing the limits of what’s possible and building legacies for generations to come. They are working toward a sustainable and equitable future to create positive impacts for our clients and communities. We are excited to congratulate and introduce our ENR 2022 Regional Top Young professionals. Read more about each of our honorees.

ENR California

Christopher Abela, Senior Structural Engineer, Water – Sacramento, California. Christopher is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Maine. His research involves conducting full-scale experimental testing on grouted post-tension anchors at the Advanced Structures and Composite Center. He cultivated a career with the United States Army Corps of Engineers before coming on board with ArchTam where he quickly integrated his expertise in troubleshooting dam design challenges, including the seismic design and evaluation of concrete intake towers feasibility studies at Site’s reservoir. He has published numerous articles and serves as a reviewer for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Practice Periodical of Structural Design and Construction.

Irfan Kalhoro, Senior Construction Manager, Transportation – Orange, California. Irfan has worked on several prominent projects including the North Coast Corridor Program, one of the largest construction manager and general contractor delivery projects in Southern California. He has become recognized for quick and strategic thinking. When a bluff failed in the San Diego area jeopardizing the stability of the nation’s second-busiest intercity rail, Irfan’s team responded rapidly and partnered with a contractor to re-establish railroad stability.  His eagerness to work on the largest most complex projects has taken him as far as Dubai to work on a $1B tunnel.

Veronica Siranosian, Vice President, Digital Innovation – Oakland, California. Born in Mexico of Armenian ancestry and raised in the U.S., Veronica saw early on how infrastructure impacts opportunities. She currently works across business lines to accelerate digital adoption and deliver these solutions to clients. Throughout her career she has transformed how ArchTam conducts scenario planning and asset management by successfully developing and commercializing innovative projects, such as Mobilitics. Her California achievements include managing the 2.32M square-foot LAX Northside Plan Update; helping LA Metro secure $8.3M for mobility hubs; and providing transportation planning for the successful LA 2028 Olympic Bid.

ENR MidAtlantic

Brandon LeRoy, Manager, Lead Structural Engineer, Transportation – Morgantown, West Virginia. Brandon serves as a manager and lead structural engineer for projects across the country. He is involved in bridge, building, sport stadium, roadway, trail and site design, and aims to continuously learn about the industry. Brandon had a key role in the Bridging Kentucky program, which repaired or replaced 1,000 bridges across the state. He is currently the West Virginia preliminary engineering lead for CSX Transportation where he oversees all plans and projects involving CSXT right-of-way.

Josh Pudleiner, Senior Structural/Resident Engineer, Transportation – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Josh is a leading U.S. expert in the design and construction of suspension bridge main cable and anchorage dehumidification systems, a cutting-edge technology that extends the life of vital landmark bridges around the world. He served as a Resident Engineer the rehabilitation of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in New Castle, Del., and the CSX Transportation 25th Street Viaduct Rehabilitation in Philadelphia. He currently leads the $217 million Benjamin Franklin Bridge Rehabilitation of Suspended Spans and Anchorages project.

ENR Midwest

Abbas Kachwalla, Project Manager, Transportation – Chicago, Illinois. Abbas collaborates with internal and external teams across multiple business lines. His professional focus is providing simple solutions that preserve transportation infrastructure through sustainable and cost-effective life cycle processes. He also partners with multidisciplinary teams to bring innovative solutions to clients, such as advanced GPS and GIS field tools, and alternate project delivery options like web-based project dashboards and visual mapping tools. These innovations have allowed Abbas and his team to provide value added services to clients in federal and state agencies.

ENR Mountain States

Isaac Allen, Water Resources Engineer, Water – Denver, Colorado. Isaac is a water resources engineer in ArchTam’s surface water group. His work centers on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, spanning a wide variety of projects to promote resiliency across the state of Colorado. As a champion of infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness he’s also a key figure in promoting collaboration between various agencies and stakeholders in the region. Isaac has been recognized by federal and local agencies for his work on two-dimensional modeling and providing guidance that pushes the industry practice forward.

Amanda Lopez, Structural Engineering Manager, Water – Denver, Colorado. Amanda has 16 years of industry experience and has spent her career working as a design engineer, task lead, and project manager on multi-disciplinary teams.  She is one of the project managers for the City of Las Vegas, NM and currently leads the design effort for the Peterson Dam Rehabilitation Project. Amanda volunteers with the GESTEM program in Denver and is currently helping to build a STEM program at her son’s school.  She has co-authored two papers for the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and recently presented her first solo paper.

ENR New England

Andre St. Germain, Department Manager, Structures, Transportation – Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Andre has over 11 years of experience designing and managing bridge and infrastructure projects. He ensures that technical goals, deliverables and budgets are met and helps develop solutions to complex or challenging technical or coordination issues. He is dedicated to giving back to the engineering profession through his role as a mentor to young engineers, commitment to obtaining top level certifications and continued efforts to learn about technical advances and emerging industry trends. Andre led the landmark rehabilitation of the Derby-Shelton Bridge, which improved the aesthetics and accessibility of downtown Derby, Conn. and Shelton, Conn.

ENR New York

Rohan P Mutha, Program and Project Controls Practice Leader, Program Management – New York, New York. Rohan has worked in various roles at ArchTam, from engineer to construction manager to project controls manager for government agencies and private clients. He has contributed to numerous projects in the transportation, infrastructure, buildings, water, energy, education, health care and government sectors. Key projects include the construction of a new embassy compound in Mumbai, India; transportation projects for State DOTs and an innovative project involving “top-to-down” construction methodology. He is currently working on multiple capital programs in New York City that are vital for infrastructure development and improving communities.

Mehdi Bahkshi, Associate Vice President, Tunneling, Transportation – New York, New York. Mehdi’s design experience includes transportation and water and wastewater tunnels using applications in soft ground and hard rock excavations. His technical expertise includes machine tunnel boring, drilling and blasting, sequential excavation methods, cut and cover and trenchless technologies.  His experience was integral to the completion of 20 national and international projects with total construction budgets surpassing $60 billion. One of his major projects, Second Avenue Subway in New York City, won 14 prestigious awards including Engineering News Record’s Best of the Best Airport/Transit Projects in 2017.

ENR Southeast

Lauren Swan, Vice President, Resilience and Sustainable Development, Miami, Florida. Lauren specializes in assisting communities incorporate future-looking climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to provide economic, social and environmental benefits. Earlier this year, Lauren engaged with state and local stakeholders to help identify funding mechanisms and authored publications encouraging the Florida House to pass legislation for climate resilience commitments as part of the largest investment in Florida’s history. The House passed these commitments to help state and local communities protect against sea level rise, intensified storms and flooding.

Phillip Dieckmann, Southeast Distribution and Conveyance Lead, Water – Columbia, South Carolina. Phillip began his career at ArchTam as an intern, and he now leads coordinated efforts to improve ArchTam’s water and wastewater distribution and conveyance groups. He is also instrumental in our business pursuits in the Southeast by being at the forefront of developing alternative delivery projects that contrast to the traditional design-bid-build approach. Because of his innovativeness, Phillip was chosen to manage the design, permitting and construction of three miles of 24-inch water main for the $16 million Charlotte Water project.

ENR Southwest

Chad Warren, Water/Wastewater Engineer, Water – Phoenix, Arizona. Chad began his career in water conservation and sanitation in Liberia, Africa after graduating from Washington State University in 2012. He came on board with ArchTam in 2014 as a water/wastewater engineer designing combined sewage detention facilities in Spokane, WA and in 2017 Chad moved to Phoenix. There he demonstrated leadership and design capabilities on the design of five miles of water distribution and sewer conveyance pipeline relocation for Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension. Most recently he has coordinated the design of the City of Thornton, Colorado wastewater pipeline.

ENR Texas and Louisiana

Stephanie Guillot, Senior Planning Manager, Transportation – Houston, Texas. As a senior manager, Stephanie has over 15 years of experience to meet the unique transportation challenges in Houston. Her team conducts a wide range of traffic and safety analyses using innovative data collection and analysis techniques. In 2019, Stephanie served as the project manager for a successful pursuit with the Texas Department of Transportation for a Planning and Environmental Linkages study on I-45 in Houston valued at $6.6 million. She has also been an active member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar and currently serves as chapter president.

Sarah McEwen, Senior Planning Manager, Water – Jackson, Mississippi. Sarah is experienced in hydrology and hydraulics. She serves as project manager with the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and works to align the strategic vision of the initiative with core agency and stakeholder goals by developing workflows to manage submittals and reports to the Watershed Council. She has also served as the deputy lead of a critical quality control team in charge of several hundred miles of natural gas pipeline construction. Sarah is a licensed Professional Engineer in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. In 2018 she was recognized as one of American Society of Civil Engineers’ Top 10 New Faces of Civil Engineering.

Want to join a company that’s pioneering the future and delivering a better world? Learn how you can be part of our global team today https://www.archtam.com/careers/

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Over her thirty-nine-year career in the engineering and construction industry, Maribel Chavez has repeatedly broken the mold and served as a trailblazer for younger generations. A life-long Texan, she sees firsthand the immense impact her work has on the communities she serves.

Before joining ArchTam, Maribel spent thirty years at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), serving as the agency’s first female district engineer. Maribel continues this legacy at ArchTam by serving as the company’s TxDOT Client Account Manager, helping to advance goals for the company’s surface transportation clients across the state. She displays her passion for mentorship every day, empowering younger generations to assume challenging roles and developing new leaders from within.  

What inspired you to join the industry? My early inspiration to work in engineering was the television sitcom, Family Affair. The patriarch of the show was a civil engineer who traveled all over the world building dams and bridges. I was fascinated by it and thought to myself, “I want to do that!” I was also inspired by my older brothers, who studied engineering before me. They encouraged me to pursue an education that utilized my aptitude for math and science. I didn’t really enjoy math in a classroom setting, but once I realized I could solve real-life problems – actually build something! – with math, it came together for me. The critical thinking and tangible application – that’s the fun part. It hasn’t stopped being fun in the nearly four decades I’ve been doing it.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. So many of the projects I’ve had the privilege of working on over the years have challenged me technically and allowed me to work with amazingly talented and dedicated professionals. I’ve helped bring a project that was planned for over forty years to fruition, completed improvements for the World Series and Super Bowl, and worked with community leaders to deliver the world’s first pre-cast network arch bridge. Most importantly, the projects I oversee make a huge difference in the day-to-day lives of the community by increasing safety, connectivity, and mobility. 

My passion for mentorship is how I make my personal impact on the community. When I began working at TxDOT, I was typically the only woman in the field. I was the first female to serve as an area engineer, working my way up to be the agency’s first female district engineer. What was hard was establishing credibility – I was constantly having to prove myself. I set out to do my job well every day, to advance in my career, to be successful. Unfortunately, that had its challenges because of where the industry was at the time. I have the platform and experience to share the lessons I have learned and feel a great sense of responsibility – and honor – to help guide young women in this field. And, I’m still learning and experiencing “firsts” myself – it wasn’t until I came to ArchTam that I was managed by a woman! There’s a visible presence of women in leadership roles here and I gain knowledge from them and pass it on.

What career advice would you like to share? The best piece of career advice I can give is to take every opportunity that is afforded to you and fight for the ones that you are not given. If you see someone accomplishing something and think to yourself, “that’s what I want to be doing,” then find a sponsor who can help you get there. It’s so important for those in leadership positions to step up and personally engage with lending credibility to the younger generations – and in my experience this is something executives want to do! But, if you don’t find the right sponsor the first time, keep looking because that person is out there.

You really can be anything in this industry, so my advice is to try it all and see where your true passions lie.

Read more about Maribel’s career journey here.

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In many ways, I am glad that there is a designated month to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. and Canada. The AAPI Heritage Month was first signed into law in 1990 by then U.S. President George H. W. Bush, making May of each year Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. This was later renamed to AAPI Heritage Month in 2009. The Canadian government signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month in 2002.

On the other hand, I am sad and distressed that it took attacks on people of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestry for AAPI Heritage Month and AAPI societal contributions to receive greater attention. Although people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent are similar in their backgrounds and experiences, they are also highly diverse and much of this diversity is not recognized. According to the Asian Pacific Institute, the term “AAPI” includes “all people of Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander ancestry who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions.”[1] The United Nations notes that 48 countries comprise Asia.[2]

However, I am excited to share insight that I have gained over this year’s AAPI Heritage Month in the hopes that it inspires others to become more active in cultural moments.

As part of ArchTam’s ongoing equity, diversity and inclusion programs, the company hosted a panel discussion earlier this month for AAPI employees and allies in the U.S. and Canada. We also held a “Real Talk” session in April for employees of Asian descent to openly discuss their feelings about the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, and how they can be supported.

Below are some key discussion points from these two events.

Culture has greatly affected and continues to affect the speakers’ experiences.

People of Asian descent are often taught to assimilate, work hard, be modest and humble, and not cause trouble. Although this may have been an advantage in school, once in the workforce, many are told they are too timid, shy and not authoritative enough, which can lead to some people not being given credit for their work or being passed over in getting promoted.

Part of these cultural values, one speaker noted, is thinking of others before oneself. She attributes that value to her ability to relate with and work well with others – an important personal trait that has been recognized in her work and in her professional roles.

Challenges can be overcome.

Although feelings of belonging have been a challenge for many, several speakers encouraged their colleagues to break out of their shells and be more assertive. Speakers added that they can contribute more in one-on-one settings if stepping outside of their comfort zones in a team or group is too big of a first step. Then, eventually, they can start to work towards being more vocal in team settings.

Invisibility and lack of representation is a common challenge for many of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. In a recent survey by the nonprofit organization, Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change, 42% of Americans surveyed could not name a well-known Asian American.[3]

It was also acknowledged that being Asian and a woman could be a double challenge, as one must simultaneously overcome the cultural and societal norms and prejudices that are affiliated with both groups.

Panelists provided several recommendations for being more visible. A couple of the panelists invoked the Golden Rule of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you,” such as giving credit to others and reflecting on one’s own perspectives while being mindful of comments and approaches. Another reminded the participants that careers take time and are not created in a day, so a foundation in a professional setting always involves doing good work and establishing relationships with clients, teaming partners and colleagues. Then, they can become more visible in the workplace as these clients will want to work with them again and again.

Allyship is welcome.

Because Asians are often viewed as the model minority or have not been as vocal as others, some may mistakenly perceive they do not need or want support. Quite the contrary – speakers in both events emphasized the need for support and welcomed allyship. Several enforced their individuality in describing their heritage: place of birth, English as a first or second language, their upbringing, and understanding of their heritage. However, they want to be listened to and heard. Even if it makes others uncomfortable or unsure of how to respond, just making them aware builds a sense of support.

I am grateful we have opportunities to celebrate our heritage at our company. Join me in celebrating the amazing contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in our industry, our cities and our culture.  Lastly, I would like to thank my colleagues for participating along with me as speakers and moderators at the two events:

Starting with the top row, from left to right:

• Abunasar Azad, Software Development Manager
• Terri Choy, Chemistry Sr. Manager
• Wendy Lau, Risk Management Lead, US West
• Andrew Liu, Senior Vice President, Director of Growth, US West Transportation
• Qi Ma, Water Resources Engineer
• Amy Pang, Associate Vice President, Marketing
• Lusanna Ro, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel
• Sharon Tsay, Associate Vice President, Hydraulic Modeling Technical Lead
• Nicholas (Nico) Valenton, Transportation Engineer
• Joanne Wang, Sr. Environmental Planner
• Heather Zhao, Project Manager

[1] https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a35711434/asian-american-pacific-islander-difference-aapi/

[2] https://www.worldometers.info/geography/how-many-countries-in-asia/#:~:text=There%20are%2048%20countries%20in,according%20to%20the%20United%20Nations

[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/survey-finds-42-percent-people-u-s-can-t-name-n1267283

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