Where are you from, and where did you go to school?

Hi everyone!  I’m a Boston area native and grew up just west of Boston, in Watertown MA.  I attended Matignon High School (parochial), and then went on to get a BSCE at UMASS Amherst.  About a year ago I applied for and got into an MBA postgraduate program, on-line, at Fort Hays State University in KA, with a concentration in finance.  I’m at the halfway point and look forward to the remaining classes as I have always had an interest in business.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

Not many people, besides my immediate family, know I like to play the drums and guitar.  I recently “retired” from men’s league hockey, and now have these two hobbies to fill in some time as my pursuits, burn energy, and relax.  I may be looking to jam soon.

Where do you work?

Two years ago, I joined the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Department (MBTA) as a senior manager of project controls.  My experience includes 25-plus years in the construction industry. The first part of my career I gained practical construction experience supervising, managing, and estimating a variety of large-scale projects for the state, federal, and private sectors.  Primarily, the last 10 years of my experience have been focused on project controls and continued training and certification in the discipline.  This blend of construction and project controls experience has afforded me this opportunity within the MBTA. Our department works with capital delivery using project controls support throughout planning, design, risk assessment, value engineering, construction, and project closeout.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job are the people.  The MBTA offers a diverse environment and level of energy that is both engaging and provides for professional growth.  People make the organization, but leadership is also integral.  The level of leadership and opportunities at the MBTA are incredible, and I would highly recommend this authority for those seeking employment or career opportunities.   Working in project controls can be challenging, but that is what I like.  No two projects or programs are alike.  Finding solutions, providing better reporting, and supporting capital delivery, for me, is very satisfying professionally.

Do you have a project story to share?

A project that I will always look back on with great regard is the NY DEP Valhalla Ultraviolet Water Treatment Plant.  I was brought down to the project, for “six months” to live there and travel home only on the weekends.  Three years later I departed.  However, the three years were incredible.  I have never worked on a project of this scale prior to or since.  The team chemistry and comradery were at its highest level and that came straight down from the leadership.  The construction contract was just under a billion and the tri-venture team was comprised of three very skilled contractors.  My level of responsibilities grew with time and effort and eventually I ran the department for all interfaces from existing aqueducts to the new facility including deep dive operations, concrete structures and mechanical and electrical interface, disinfection, and startup and testing.  I remember, during major functional testing,  sitting in the newly constructed control center, with close to 40 two-way radios going, looking at large screens of controls/valve schematics, directing the opening and closing of sluice gates and 96” butterfly valves and knife gates, essentially shutting down water supply to NY City (estimated at over 1 billion gallons/day) for working periods between 1-5 a.m. to allow for functional testing.

What are your future goals and aspirations for your career? Did someone inspire you to be on this career path?

My immediate goal is to finish my MBA over the next year.   I plan on using what I learn and applying this to my professional and career growth.  My former boss in the construction industry inspired me to begin a path in scheduling and project controls.  He was a PE and ran the schedule department when I was there.  John was not only my boss but my friend and mentor.  I was able to obtain my PE in civil engineering from New Hampshire and PSP from AACE while working for him.  This led to many employment opportunities across the industry.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?

Knowing when to move on from a level of comfort with an established position within a company.  It may be difficult, but if you truly understand what your aspirations are and ascertain the steps necessary to get there may not coincide with your current employment situation, it may be time to move on.  I went through this process about eight years ago.  It wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped. However, it was definitely worth it to get where I am today and the experiences getting here were relevant and vital for my professional growth.

Why did you join AACE?

There are many reasons I personally joined AACE.  Access to the recommended practices and guides, discounts for certifications/testing/literature, the ability to join the local section, and professional organization affiliation.  These alone are great reasons, but most important to me are meeting associates and colleagues within our discipline on a regular basis with training, technical discussions, and goals for the advancement of our work in mind.

What do you like most about being an AACE member? Or what’s your favorite part of being an AACE member?

I’ve only been an actual AACE member for a short period.  However, I became interested since obtaining the PSP in 2017. I realized the positive impact AACE can have on one’s professional growth.   Additionally, I obtained the CEP this year.  When I became a member, I also joined the Boston Area Section.  Last year, I attended the Boston AACE annual dinner and plan to do the same this year.  What I found really great was seeing many colleagues, whom I have worked with over my career at various times, at the dinner (I might not have been reacquainted with them otherwise) and reconnecting.  Also, the annual dinner is a great place to make new connections across the industry and to network.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the field?

Passion is one of the keys to being successful in any field.  Gaining knowledge, both theoretical and practical, is essential in the field of project controls.  I have found many good resources from which to draw from.    AACE offers an extensive library of recommended practices and guides.  Also, there are many training sessions offered by very experienced individuals in the industry.  My advice would be to learn the fundamentals, work for managers and leaders who will help develop your professional growth, continue your education, seek out mentors, and get into the field from time to time to watch how operations are performed and get an understanding for those processes.