Oliver orchestrates ArchTam’s efforts to mobilise behind Defence priorities, supports our Defence team to find, win and deliver impactful projects, and plays a key role in serving a diverse and complex client base. He supports every Defence branch across ArchTam’s full-service offering, from environmental and program management services to engineering consultancy. With more than 18 years of experience across the Defence, engineering and infrastructure sectors, Oliver brings a unique blend of operational discipline, strategic insight and delivery capability.

Looking back on your career and time at ArchTam, what pivotal moment or experience affirmed your purpose or your values? Something that made you stop and think, “okay, this is why I do this.”

There wasn’t one defining moment, rather, a series of meaningful connections that reaffirmed my purpose. Funnily, shortly after joining ArchTam, I updated my LinkedIn profile, and my former military colleagues encouraged me to reach out to the ArchTam UK Defence team. That led to conversations and before I knew it, I was in the heart of something special, supporting major global projects and collaborating across Australia, the UK, and the U.S. on AUKUS.

Tell us a little bit more about your career journey. You just touched on the British Army.

My career journey is marked by diverse and enriching experiences, beginning with a master’s degree in naval architecture at Southampton University. I then embarked on an unexpected adventure in Turkey, contributing to the construction of the Maltese Falcon, a groundbreaking modern square rigger. This project honed my technical expertise and fuelled my passion for innovation and collaboration.

A persistent calling to serve led me to enrol at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the home of British Army Officer training. This equipped me with leadership skills and resilience.

My time in the military was both challenging and transformative, providing close support to operations and fostering a sense of purpose. Meeting my wife, Hannah, prompted a shift towards technical engineering roles, which eventually led me to Perth, Australia, where I worked on the Perth Children’s Hospital project. After fulfilling my military service obligations, I made the move to Melbourne, where I led major bids for and managed significant, innovative projects like the Victorian Heart Hospital and Marvel Stadium, which included advanced sport facility technology integrations.

Ultimately, one rainy Melbourne day, my wife and I decided to return to Perth, aligning with our original plan and embracing new opportunities. Joining ArchTam marked the beginning of a new chapter in client service, leading our talented Defence team. I apply my diverse experiences and leadership skills to impactful projects, contributing to the company’s global values.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself outside of work.

My personal life is deeply intertwined with family, fitness and community involvement. My wife and I are a strong team, balancing our careers and parenting our three energetic children, aged 7, 8 and 9. Our shared commitment to supporting each other enables us to manage our busy lives effectively.

I’m actively involved in my children’s activities. Volunteering and coaching for Nippers, it’s chaos, but it’s fun! They’re a bit like soldiers: keep them moving, don’t let them get bored. It’s incredibly rewarding. I also coach rugby during the winter. Staying fit through daily training is a priority, to maintain my physical and mental well-being. While I enjoy kite surfing and windsurfing in sunny, windy Perth, much of my focus right now is on family-oriented activities, reserving personal hobbies for when the kids are older.

How do you see your role evolving in the next few years in this changing and evolving industry?

I see my role focusing on empowering our talented teams and unlocking opportunities across ArchTam’s global network.

The Defence team has unique capabilities, unmatched worldwide, and my aim is to facilitate the sharing of these strengths with colleagues in regions such as the UK, the Pacific, and the U.S.

This transformation is not about individual success but about supporting collective excellence and ensuring we continue to set the benchmark in consultancy.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave — in your team, in the work you deliver, or in the culture you help shape?

I aim to leave a legacy of creating a self-sufficient, empowered team. Drawing inspiration from military practices, where a second-in-command is always prepared to step up, I strive to ensure that my team operates autonomously, requiring minimal oversight. By fostering confidence and trust, my job is to enable team members to make informed decisions and deliver exceptional results.

I’m also committed to our involvement in the Veteran Employment Program, supporting veterans in their transition to civilian careers. By creating pathways for our veterans to thrive, I aim to shape a culture that values service, inclusivity and long-term impact.

The post Building a legacy in Defence: Meet Oliver Crowther appeared first on Blog.

Given your experience working in NYC, what are some of the unique challenges of designing transit projects in dense urban environments, and how have you navigated those complexities?

In my extensive experience working in New York City, I’ve learned that designing transit solutions requires meticulous planning and communication. Our designs focus on minimizing impacts to adjacent structures, traffic and businesses as much as possible. If impacts are unavoidable, we are transparent and realistic about their timing and severity. When developing the schedule for a mega-project, it’s important to account for the time and effort it takes to maintain adjacent rail, transit, pedestrian and vehicular traffic services.

To make sure we’re communicating effectively, we establish task forces and develop workshops between our team and various stakeholders, using these meetings to share information, concerns and progress. We coordinate with utility companies to jointly develop solutions and timelines so we can avoid surprises and unrealistic expectations. We also thoroughly outline things like work hours, noise, vibration and dust to mitigate impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Working closely with all of our community partners is the best way to deliver a successful program.

How does transit infrastructure create transformative opportunities for communities, and how has this influenced your approach to your work?

Transit can transform a city’s landscape, redefining where people live, how they move and the opportunities they access. We look at each project holistically to secure a more vibrant outcome, striving to create reinvigorated streetscapes with better visibility, improved intersections and inclusive shared spaces. To promote public involvement, we connect with local schools to set up job fairs and internship programs. I’m proud to have played an important role in large capital programs here in New York — like my work on the Second Avenue Subway (SAS) Phase 1 project when I was with the MTA — that exemplify how new transit infrastructure can enhance existing networks and provide vital connections to underserved communities.

What motivates you the most in your work? What brings you inspiration?

I’m deeply motivated by the opportunity to apply my past experiences and lessons learned to make a lasting difference for communities across New York City. It’s humbling to know that our work promotes sustainable legacies by creating energy-efficient solutions, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving resiliency and overall outcomes around the city. In the end, I’m proud to be a part of projects that connect people sustainably and equitably, unlocking new opportunities for themselves and their families.

What does the future of transit in NYC look like and what possibilities are you most excited for?

I’m excited by several transformative projects happening today and on the horizon which will have a profound impact on the communities they serve. One such project is with New York City Transit, where many existing stations are being made more ADA compliant, so all passengers have easier access. Meanwhile, the Gateway Hudson Tunnel project will increase resiliency by building a new connection between New York and New Jersey and rehabilitating the existing Northeast Corridor (NEC) tunnels.

New forms of transit — such as the introduction of light rail in New York City — offer the exciting possibility of expanding the existing rail corridor, creating new destinations and providing value to areas in need. I look forward to leaning on my experience and delivering the types of large capital projects needed to connect neighborhoods and expand opportunities for travelers throughout the boroughs.

The post Transforming Transit: Meet Tim Gianfrancesco appeared first on Blog.

Tell us about your career journey and current role at ArchTam.

Throughout my 30-year career, I’ve served as a principal or project director for major infrastructure projects in the transportation and energy sectors. My passion for transit kickstarted with my aspirations to improve communities by providing people mobility choices to get to school, work, access to better healthcare and to live a more sustainable life.

In my new role as acting Transit Market Lead for the Americas, I’ve leveraged my transit and rail program and project experience into a long-earned reputation for having a keen sense of industry trends in the transit and rail fields. My ability to identify and prioritize strategies that help agencies succeed and communities thrive also helps ArchTam maintain its role as an industry leader.

What major trends across industries will impact the transit sector?

The rapid development and adoption of new technologies and the green economy are changing the way transit agencies address everyday tasks and how the largest transit infrastructure projects and programs are being designed and constructed.

There are shifts toward modernization such as the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), zero-emission vehicle technologies, continued rise of automation and the re-emergence of modular construction, which support the transit industries goals of improving service and driving costs of capital projects and transit operations down. The continued adoption and application of these techniques and technologies are paving the way for the transit industry’s future.  For instance:

• The transit industry has started to adopt the use of building information modeling (BIM) and digital twin in major capital projects. AI will provide an opportunity for further increase in automation of BIM design by employing a process of “designing to cost”.  A significant increase in the capital cost of infrastructure projects and a diminishing availability of operations funds increases the opportunity for the industry to put these new techniques and technologies to good use.
• Another trend is the re-emergence of modular design and construction or design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA). By using a manufacturing approach to infrastructure projects, this trend can drive capital and operating costs down while increasing sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of a project.
• Last, energy transition and renewables will continue to trend with new advancements and innovations in everything from energy storage to management solutions to new renewable profiles coming to market. In my role, I’ve witnessed transit agencies in the U.S. take advantage of funding available through the bipartisan infrastructure bill for low/zero-emission vehicles to refresh their bus fleets.

Highlight your biggest achievements at ArchTam and in the global transportation industry.

My passion for the everchanging industry is illuminated in my work at ArchTam on transit and rail projects which led to the honor of being named as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of California for 2024.

I’ve worked on every rail line currently operating for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and helped to develop the early vision for light rail in Austin. I also helped develop the 2018 California State Rail Plan that re-oriented the plan to focus on customer outcomes first. On Valley Link, I’m helping to develop a rail service that will connect Central Valley communities to jobs in the Bay Area of California with zero-emission, green hydrogen trains.

In addition to those projects, I’ve served in operational and business development roles, supporting the executive leadership team at ArchTam by driving transformation through strategy, growth, leveraging trends and future-forward thought leadership in transit and rail and the ESG space.

I’ve witnessed and felt the positive impact our projects can have on individuals, communities and the world. The tangible, positive outcomes have strengthened my ability to place myself in my clients’ shoes to assist them in reaching their goals.  At ArchTam, I see myself continuing to support exponential growth while mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders so they can not only succeed at ArchTam but also drive technology and modern approaches to delivering transit infrastructure globally.

My best advice to aspiring leaders is to lean in, trust and bet on yourself and your ideas. Most especially in a dynamic, future-oriented industry like transit, be bold in bringing your ideas to the forefront.  It takes diverse voices to truly make a meaningful and sustainable impact in any industry.

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For the past 21 years, Carolyn Stegon has worked at ArchTam as a dedicated leader and change-maker in the industry. She was the program manager for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) $2 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for nearly a decade, with a team of more than 40 employees crossing multiple business lines and ArchTam offices in California.

Ms. Stegon began her career as a structural engineer and then progressed to a senior program and design manager role. Carolyn has provided services including budget development and tracking, marketing, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, design review, quality assurance, construction management and project close-out. Her responsibilities as a design manager have included reviewing and tracking the design team’s contracts, scopes of work, work authorizations and invoices and managing the A/E team through design.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

When I was in high school, I took part in AutoCAD drafting classes. This really interested me and I thought I wanted to be an architect. My high school professor saw my math and science skills directing me toward engineering. Once I entered college, Civil Engineering was a great fit. In my junior and senior years of college, I became interested in earthquake design and wondered, “How do buildings stand up during a major earthquake?” This led me to a summer internship at the University of California, Irvine, for the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research under the National Science Foundation.

Building wood shear walls and pouring concrete foundations that would be tested on earthquake shake tables was a dream come true. After college, I moved from Virginia to California and started a job as a structural engineer for ArchTam. I have been with the company for more than two decades and I consider it a dream career.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My work on the CDCR program is a significant milestone in my career. I was appointed ArchTam’s program director of CDCR’s CIP. ArchTam, in a joint venture, provided professional services assisting CDCR in planning, designing, constructing, expanding and renovating correctional facilities across California to meet the needs of the correctional community, its families and the state. The program encompassed the Health Care Facility Improvement Program, in-fill projects and capital outlay projects.

I assisted in legislative budget packages for the Department of Funding Approval, provided CDCR specification updates, completed digital design reviews for all new and rehabilitation projects and led staff augmentations. By digitizing plan reviews, multiple reviews were conducted per week and easily managed through a streamlined process, creating a 75 percent reduction in cost associated with eliminating printing and shipping with parallel reviews in real time. There was also a 50 percent reduction in the design review schedules once moved to digital, with a maximum review duration per milestone of two weeks.

Throughout the program, going digital assisted greatly with streamlining processes and navigating any challenges. My team took full advantage of every aspect of ArchTam’s technical expertise, cross-collaborating with Program and Project Management, Buildings + Places, Water and Environment business lines. Providing digital plan review services included bringing more than 25 licensed architects, engineers and specialty in-house technical reviewers to the team. All technical reviewers received consistent training and a framework to comment and back-check the subsequent submittals minimizing re-work and saving time. Our digital team wrote procedures, trained the technical reviewers, provided technical support and monitored quality in the review sessions.

Knowledge of the state process with all applicable Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) made the program successful. Understanding Chapter A of the California Building Code requirements and having OSPHD and DSA experience during our design and technical review helped identify key requirements and streamline the approval process.

To me, nurturing relationships with clients and teaming partners while building trust and collaboration within my direct team is paramount. The program highlights ArchTam’s value, innovation and capability to provide various services and industry-leading experts on a diverse and complex program, including niche services like acoustical studies, asbestos/lead reports, stormwater pollution prevention plans, specification writing, fire alarm budget packages, implementation and training.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Over the years, I have had the ability to design and construct key structures within the U.S., including schools, correction facilities, courthouses, air traffic control towers, aircraft hangers and many more. When working with the California Department of Corrections program, I worked on projects that added healthcare facilities to institutions across the state of California. These buildings evolve and improve the communities and people that use them.

Share a piece of career advice.

The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is so in-depth, and it is hard to know and be confident in all aspects. Over the course of my career, I have worked to stay consistently positive and “Give it a go!”

My advice is to be open to learning and trying new things, reach out to trusted colleagues and learn as much as possible. A major point I’ve learned in my career is that transparency and an optimistic outlook to resolve problems promote positive team morale, and as a team, all things are possible.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Carolyn Stegon appeared first on Blog.