AACE International’s new member for November is McKenna L. Brown. Her profile is presented in a question-and-answer format.

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

I’m from Carlsbad, NM, where I was born and raised. After graduating high school, I got my real estate license, as well as a license for property and casualty insurance. I worked in that industry for 10 years, and although I enjoyed it, I decided to go to college to get a degree and expand into a new career path. I attended New Mexico State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration.

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

A fun fact about me, from my younger years, is that I used to be a professional online gamer and competed in various national competitions.

Where do you work?

During college, I considered a degree in accounting and moved on to become a CPA. This plan is what led me to apply for a position at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, NM.  I work at WIPP as the Capital Asset Project Controls Lead for the Capital Line-Item Projects.

What do you love most about your job?

What I like the most about my job is the challenge it presents. Every day, I learn something new, and that type of environment is something that I find enjoyable and rewarding. I started out here at WIPP as a cost analyst for Capital, and from there I was promoted to the control account manager for the Utility Shaft Project, then ultimately the Capital Assets Project Control Lead. These roles allowed me to work closely with the project leads, project managers, and stakeholders, which I enjoyed.

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

It is still early in my EVMS/project controls career, so I hope to take the time to expand my knowledge and develop a firm foundation in these types of projects.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome? What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career?

I think my biggest career challenge has been coming into the Capital Project and developing these skills in a short period. Each of the projects presents a new opportunity to learn and grow in the DOE world.

Why did you join AACE?

I decided to join AACE based on the recommendation of an associate. I was looking into getting my PMP and a few other certifications, and based on talks with a couple of close associates they recommended joining AACE. 

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

I haven’t been a member of AACE for long, but I would say that I love all the materials and opportunities provided to members, especially those who are just entering this field.

What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the field?

My advice to anyone entering this field would be to embrace all the knowledge and expertise of those you work with. The best way to expand your skills, from scheduling, financial management, project initiation, budgeting, construction, and so on, is to work closely with those around you who specialize in those areas. In my experience, people in this field are happy to share their knowledge.