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

I’m originally from Iraq. I moved to the US in 2014. I have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Al-Mustansiriya University in Iraq and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado Denver.

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

I enjoy hiking alone; it’s my way to recharge and enjoy nature.

Where do you work?

I work at AtkinsRéalis as a project controls manager in Denver, Colorado.

What do you love most about your job?

I love seeing how effective planning and controls can turn complex projects into successful realities, especially when they positively impact communities. Each project brings new challenges, and I enjoy the problem-solving aspect that pushes me to think creatively and strategically.

Do you have a project story to share?

In one of my projects, I used Power BI to help organize the project controls work, including cost management, scheduling, and tracking change orders. This approach streamlined our processes and provided significant benefits to the overall project efficiency.

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

I aspire to take on more leadership roles in project management, aiming to eventually become a senior manager or director. Mentorship from my previous managers has inspired my ambition to grow and lead teams effectively.

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

My biggest career challenge was managing a project with extremely tight deadlines due to unexpected delays. I coordinated closely with my team to prioritize tasks and streamline processes, ultimately leading to the project’s completion on time. A memorable moment in my career was mentoring a junior engineer, who later expressed gratitude for my guidance in navigating their first major project, reinforcing my belief in the importance of mentorship.

Why did you join AACE?

I joined AACE to connect with other professionals in the industry and build a strong network, which is essential for growth and collaboration. Additionally, I wanted to be part of an organization that offers resources and training to enhance my skills and knowledge in project controls.

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

What I like most about being an AACE member is the sense of community. The organization fosters connections among professionals, allowing for collaboration and support. I also appreciate the access to valuable resources and tools that AACE provides, which help me stay informed and enhance my skills in project controls.

I’m originally from Seattle, Washington, and have lived here my whole life. I went to school for Business Management at WGU while working full-time at HDR, Inc. on one of the region’s largest transit projects, the East Link Light Rail Extension.

Not many people know that I’m passionate about traveling and exploring new places—it’s my way of experiencing continuous learning beyond my professional career. I was recently hired as a project control manager at Community Transit in Snohomish County, where I contributed to large-scale initiatives like expanding transit networks and improving services.

What I love most about my job is the ability to collaborate with teams and impact the community by helping deliver crucial public transportation projects. One of my favorite projects was at my previous place of employment, the East Link Light Rail Extension Project, where I had the opportunity to learn about each part of project controls in a large-scale construction project.

Looking ahead, I aim to continue advancing in the field of project controls, focusing on larger, more complex projects that push me to grow both technically and strategically. I’m passionate about refining processes, improving efficiency, and driving better project outcomes by leveraging data, analytics, and best cost management and scheduling practices. I’ve been inspired by professionals who excel at balancing project controls’ technical and collaborative aspects. I aspire to lead teams that streamline project delivery while focusing on quality and accountability.

One of my biggest challenges was earning my degree later in my career while working full-time in the field. Balancing the demands of my job with pursuing education was tough, but it gave me a deeper appreciation for the work I was already doing. It felt incredibly rewarding to achieve that goal, knowing it would further strengthen my expertise. A memorable moment for me was the opening of the East Link Extension, seeing the project come to life after years of hard work and collaboration. Knowing that it would enhance connectivity and benefit countless commuters was truly fulfilling.

I joined AACE because I wanted to connect with like-minded professionals and gain access to resources that would sharpen my skills in cost engineering and project controls. Being a member has expanded my network and exposed me to new methodologies and best practices that I apply in my day-to-day work.

For anyone entering the field, I’d say stay curious, always ask questions, and be open to learning from both successes and setbacks. Project controls is a dynamic field, and those who embrace its challenges will find it incredibly rewarding.

My name is Lee Vandevort, and I was born in Sacramento, CA. I am a sixth-generation native Californian. I attended high school in Auburn, NE, and then USC for architecture and civil engineering. I work at Construction Claims International where I provide dispute finance to large contractors involved with public works projects. What I love most about my job is helping cash-strapped companies with their cash flow to finish jobs. 

Thirty years ago, I sponsored a lunch with about 25 construction lawyers and presented the concept of dispute/litigation financing. They all said that paying for the prosecution of claims could not be done and was against champerty laws. It turned out to be the genesis of the field of litigation finance. The biggest career challenge I’ve had to overcome is fundraising. I am very proud to hear others talk about their successes in the litigation finance space and to know that the concept started with construction. My future career goal is to deploy $500M annually in the construction space. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first to do it. 

I joined AACE in the late 80’s. I was doing scheduling, and this organization helped me by providing the framework for best practices. The best thing about being an AACE member is meeting with people who are involved in a niche and learning more about best practices. It’s great to make connections and learn while funding companies in the claims and project control areas so they can prosper.  

If you are just starting out in the field, keep in mind that it is a growing field and one that affects companies’ bottom lines. Companies are seeing that project control is not just overhead but the department that drives profit. Construction companies should be profitable and not the financing source for government projects. 

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

I am from the UK, and I have pursued my education in the construction field. I initially trained as a quantity surveyor and have progressed to senior commercial manager at Mace Consult, part of the Mace Group. I obtained my construction management degree from the University of Wales and studied this in Wrexham, Wales. 

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

A fun fact about me is that I have had the opportunity to travel extensively for work and have visited various countries worldwide, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands. I still need to get to North America, and then I can tick off visiting every continent; one day, I will. 

Where do you work?

I work as a senior commercial manager at Mace Consult. I am currently involved in a project forecasting the future spend profile for a £443 million project.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to work on challenging projects that demand strategic planning and critical thinking. Seeing how my work contributes to successfully completing large-scale construction projects is rewarding.

Do you have a project story to share?

An interesting project story is about when I was working in Australia and had the chance to prepare estimates for mining sites in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. The experience of working in such a unique and challenging environment was truly memorable.

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

My future goals and aspirations in my career involve continuing to excel in cost engineering and contributing to innovative solutions in the construction industry. Despite the challenges I faced when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I have learned to adapt and use technology to further my profession.

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

A significant career challenge I overcame was accepting the need to use adaptive technology and aids due to my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This challenged me to find innovative ways to continue in my profession and led me to explore the field of cost engineering.

What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career?

One of the most memorable moments in my career was the extreme commute I undertook for a meeting in Sydney, Australia, from Perth, Western Australia. The five-and-a-half-hour flight, each way in a single day, exemplified the diverse and challenging aspects of my work in different locations and the extreme work commutes that you sometimes have to do to get the job done. 

Why did you join AACE?

I joined AACE to connect with professionals in cost engineering and project management, gain insights, and share experiences with like-minded individuals.

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

I enjoy being an AACE member because it provides networking opportunities, access to valuable resources, and the chance to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

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

My advice for someone looking to enter the field of cost engineering would be to stay curious, continuously update your skills and knowledge, network with industry professionals, and be open to embracing new technologies and methods in the construction industry.

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.

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

I am originally from Sedico, a little town in the Italian Dolomites between Venice and the ski town Cortina D’Ampezzo. Due to sports (I used to play soccer professionally), studies, and then work, I have not lived there anymore since I was 15 years old. I have a master’s degree in civil engineering, specializing in infrastructure, from the University of Trento (a city in northern Italy).

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

I grew up in the Dolomites doing lots of trekking and climbing. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, I could only do my first proper Himalayan trek (I have been based in Nepal since 2016) a few months ago. I was becoming a joke among my friends in my hometown…

Where do you work?

After graduating from the university, I moved to Australia for two years and then to work in China, where I worked for four years. I have been based in Nepal for the last seven years, but I am currently traveling for work in Indonesia and Ethiopia. I started on tunneling and hydropower projects on the contractor’s side and, in the last three years, switched to the consulting sector. I mainly consulted for an Italian engineering company called ELC Electroconsult, based in Milan, on feasibility studies, detailed design, and construction supervision of hydropower, geothermal, and HV transmission lines projects. 

What do you love most about your job?

The opportunity to travel, meet, and discover other people, experts, various and different cultures, and obviously, always new challenges to face and try to overcome. 

Do you have a project story to share?

It’s unrelated to cost estimation, but I still remember it: during a dispute board session, the board chairman said, “Cash flow is the lifeblood of the construction industries” and “No matter what, fairness and good communication between all the parties.” Nothing is truer. I’ve seen this a few times in my short experience from both the contractor and the engineer supervision sides. There is always a belief that the other party is there to cheat you, which starts the contract with prejudice. Clients and supervising engineers “cut” and delay payments, sometimes for no valid reason, with the idea that keeping the contractor right is a good situation. Also, contractors are trying to cut corners to increase their profits, only because maybe they lowered the economic proposal to get the work. Ultimately, every party has the same goal: positively completing the project. So, they should work together toward that goal, not in opposition, via constructive communication, fairness, and good faith. I have since made these two sentences which I heard from this chairman as my motto. 

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

My future goal and aspirations are to increase my knowledge and experience in cost estimating, budgeting, and risk management to improve the chances of project cost under-run. At the same time, I am getting more involved in the AACE activities. But then, you never know; nowadays, everyone has two or three careers in one lifetime. Surely, what you have learned and acquired will always be with you, widening your opportunities and skill sets. 

Who inspired me? I think it was my grandfather. He started a construction company and then passed it down to my uncle when he retired. I worked there during my university studies and always went with him to see the sites. I still do this with my uncle when I return to my hometown. I believe my love for construction started there when I was 10-12 years old: the wonder I felt touching and seeing the structure coming up and getting completed, after all the efforts, from an empty field, was an amazing incentive to get things done.

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

At the beginning of my work experience in the construction sector, I was lucky that the company I worked for trusted me to be the resident project manager of a whole project (25km of tunnel by TBM) in China. I was in charge of the work planning and execution, dealing with the clients, vendors, and the project team. I had to learn quickly by making mistakes. It was two and a half years of hard work where I learned a lot. Full of stress but at the same time memorable moments, one of which was the tunnel breakthrough. 

Why did you join AACE?

I have spent over 15 years working in construction companies, mainly focusing on contract and project management, particularly regarding budget, cost control, change of order management, and tender preparation. In the last three years, I have been a consultant to an engineering company, focusing on project cost estimates and associated risks in hydropower and HV transmission lines. One day, one of my colleagues mentioned AACE. I have to say, in the beginning, I was a bit skeptical, but once I became a member, I understood the full potential, benefits, and knowledge sharing that has exponentially improved my understanding and capability to deal with such a vast topic properly. I still have a long way to go, and I am super enthusiastic. 

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

I cannot say much as I became a member only recently. Yet, besides obviously the huge material and knowledge sharing with all the PGD and RPs, I hope to get more involved with my section and other activities and people connections that the AACE world brings soon. 

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

Go for it. You can interface with lots of different experts and widen your knowledge on a wide variety of topics. 

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

With my dad taking on various assignments with the Army Corps of Engineers worldwide, I lived in many places, so I can’t call a specific place home. I’ve lived in South Korea, Japan, New York (where I was born), Los Angeles, and San Francisco (where I completed high school). I completed my BS in Physics at San Francisco State University and my MS in Engineering Physics at George Mason University.

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

I’m a Nuclear Medical Science officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and have been in for about 21 years. In this capacity, I protect service members from nuclear radiation exposure. Although the Army Reserve is a part-time job, I’ve made a great career out of it. I plan to retire from the Army Reserve next year.

Also, not many people know that I hold an AACE CEP certification.

Where do you work?

I work (full-time) at the US Department of Energy in the Office of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In this occupation, I’m a federal cost analyst and lead the development of independent cost estimates for capital projects and life extension programs that support the nuclear security enterprise.

What do you love most about your job?

I get to work on challenging and unique projects that serve an important role in safeguarding national security through the application of nuclear science.

Do you have a project story to share?

Scope growth has been a topic of interest at the NNSA because projects have historically tended to cost more than they were estimated to cost early on. A work-in-progress is currently going on to understand better how project scope can grow and thus increase the total project cost over time.

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

My future goals would be to learn the R and Python programming languages, which are good for processing and analyzing large data sets. I believe that as cost data increases, learning to use the tools capable of processing massive amounts of data will be necessary. MS Excel is great but, unfortunately, has some limits on processing large datasets.

I became a cost analyst by accident, whereas before that, I was a physical scientist for the Army (as a federal civilian) in the 2000s. My office at that time was impacted by the Base Realignment Closure Act of 2005, a congressionally authorized process to increase the efficiency of the US Department of Defense. As a result, that office was slated to move to a new location about 65 miles away from where I live in Washington, DC. I could not handle a four-hour daily commute, so I applied for other jobs closer to my residence and was hired as a cost analyst for another Army office. I remained a cost analyst since 2009 and served in this capacity through three other federal agencies – the Department of Navy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy. I’ve enjoyed being a cost analyst ever since.

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

My biggest challenge was learning to complete Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis on projects and brief the results simply so that all stakeholders can understand where a project is on cost and schedule. The concepts of EVM, such as Budgeted Cost for Work Performed and Budgeted Cost for Work Scheduled, can initially be abstract, but through some training and good mentorship, this abstraction can easily be overcome.

The most memorable moment in my career was temporarily exiting my cost analyst career due to a military deployment. I was deployed to the Middle East for about nine months, where I had to complete radiation safety audits and x-ray surveys at various forward operation bases across the Middle East. This deployment resulted in travels to many parts of the Middle East, where I visited Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. My office at the time (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) was very supportive during my deployment, making my time in the Middle East easier.

Why did you join AACE?

I joined AACE to gain access to its many cost-estimating resources and obtain the latest news in the cost-estimating community. I joined believing access to this information would help me (or anyone) become a better cost analyst.

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

Members can access many of AACE’s cost-estimating best practices at no cost and receive discounts on AACE-sponsored conferences, seminars, and certification exam fees.

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

Ask questions about the project you are estimating. If you are not good at asking questions, I offer another piece of advice – take some time to think about the project you are estimating, and good questions should come naturally. Asking good questions about the project will help you better plan your estimating process and develop a more defensible cost estimate. I’ve also found that asking good questions generally helps avoid future problems arising when you plan to do anything. E.g., remodeling your home or going on vacation in a strange place.

My name is Rick Baus, and I was born and raised in the suburbs, approximately 20 minutes north of the City of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. I attended the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for my undergraduate degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. In 2021, I obtained my Master of Business Administration with a specialization in finance from Holy Family University, located in Northeast Philadelphia. I am currently working on my Doctor of Education and Professional Studies, specializing in educational and organizational leadership with a planned graduation date of November 2025. I am also a Certified Professional Estimator through the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) and a Certified Claims Consulting Expert through the Construction Management Institute (CMI).

A fun fact about me is that besides enjoying my profession, spending time with my family, and being a lifelong learner, I have a huge passion for cooking. You will constantly find me outside in different weather, cooking on my grill or smoker. There is an excellent book about five love languages in which we all give and receive love in different ways: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch, but there should be a sixth one, which involves the sharing of homecooked food.

I’ve been working in the construction industry for over 20 years. Upon my undergraduate graduation, I entered the industry on the contracting side as an assistant estimator/assistant project manager and quickly rose up the ranks to a chief estimator and a senior project manager then, after 18 years on the contracting side, I moved over to the engineering side as a construction specialist. Currently, I work for Urban Engineers, Inc., a multidisciplinary planning, design, environmental, and construction support services consulting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which provides services for facilities, ports and waterways, public transportation, railroads, airports, energy and utilities, bridges, and roadways, as a Construction Specialist.

I am subject matter expert in budgeting, change order management, cost estimating (order of magnitude, conceptual design, design development, construction documents, and bids), construction and project management, finance, leadership, problem solving, team building, and value engineering in infrastructure and heavy-civil transportation projects.

What I like the most about my job is that every day is a new challenge and\or a new problem to solve, and at the end of the challenge, you get to see the end result of your work be built and\or come to life.

When it comes to my future goals and aspirations of my career, my goal is to advance my career at Urban Engineers, Inc., where my knowledge and experience will contribute to the development and improvement of our organization and the construction industry through research, education, and innovation. I am passionate about solving complex problems, building effective teams, and enhancing client satisfaction.

My most significant and rewarding career challenge has been joining Urban Engineers, Inc. as a construction specialist consultant and creating project budgets for projects from the East Coast to the West Coast and down South. Each location has diverse challenges to evaluate and overcome.

In June 2022, I joined AACE as a member not only to learn as much as possible from other like-minded individuals in the field of estimating but also to connect with others to build a network of estimating professionals and to share my knowledge and experience with younger professionals entering the field about being an AACE member has been bringing awareness to the organization among younger individuals rising in their careers in total cost management. I aim to obtain additional professional certifications to add to my current alphabet soup.

The best advice that I can give anyone entering the field of estimating is to be proactive in seizing career growth opportunities, not settle for anything, honor your instincts, get a mentor, and seek happiness instead of money. No job is too small; trust your instincts, focus on living your dream and not someone else’s, network to help you advance, learn how to set boundaries from the get-go, set aside time for yourself to avoid burnout, always be 15 minutes early for all appointments, and work to learn rather than to earn, and always ask questions to understand something that you don’t know from others.

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.

I am from Monroe City, Missouri, and I went to school for Construction Management at University of Central Missouri. I am PSP certified and now work as a scheduler at McCownGordon Construction in Kansas City. You may not know that Kansas City has the best BBQ in the country!

Caleb says the thing he loves most about his job is that “construction allows you to physically see the progress of work that you have been putting in place.” He adds, “ Watching the buildings progress is just so satisfying.”

Commenting on his future goals and aspirations for his career, Caleb says, “My future goals are to just continue to learn about the industry I love and see where my career takes me.” He continues, “Sure, I have some long-term goals planned out, but you never know where life is going to take you, so I just try to be sure to enjoy the day-to-day and make it a goal to learn something new every day.”

He says, “The most memorable moment of my career was attending a ribbon cutting for a high school new build project I was on. Seeing the faculty and students’ reactions and excitement for their new space just brought everything full circle and made all the challenges of the project seem easier to bear.”

Caleb explains that he joined AACE International because “The network, reputation, and creditability that it holds to assist in furthering my career.”

Caleb believes he made a career choice that was his right career path. Asked what advice he would give to someone who wants to enter the field, he says, “Construction can be a very demanding profession, but if you are able to find a good work/life balance, then it can be an extremely enjoyable and rewarding profession. Also, there are plenty of acronyms to remember!”

Something you may not know about Caleb is that he has two top bucket list items that he tries to take steps forward on yearly. He says, “They are to visit all 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums and to visit all 50 states.” Giving a progress update, he says, “Currently I have been to 20 MLB stadiums, but there are three I must go back to because they have built new stadiums since my visit. Also, I still have 30 states on my list to visit.”