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.

Delta Consulting Group, an employee-owned expert advisory consultancy specializing in construction, forensics, investigations and valuation, announced today the elevation of Jeffrey Fuchs to Executive Chairman and Darin L. Buchalter as its new Chief Executive Officer. These leadership changes underscore Delta’s commitment to continued strategic growth, delivering exceptional results for its global clients, and cultivating a positive, supportive, and fulfilling work environment for its employees.

Jeff Fuchs, Delta co-founder, will continue to provide expert services, deliver strategic guidance, foster strong relationships with key clients, and champion the company’s core values — principles that have been the foundation of Delta’s success over the past 25 years. Under his leadership, Delta has grown organically, expanded through strategic acquisitions, and cultivated top talent, evolving into a comprehensive provider of forensics, investigative, and dispute resolution services. The firm has earned a prominent reputation and was honored as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post in 2024.

Since 2022, Darin Buchalter has played a pivotal role in guiding transformative growth strategies for Delta as a member of its Strategic Advisory Board. His contributions include driving service line expansion, enhancing the company’s global market presence, and ensuring the continuity of high-quality service for clients.

“Darin is a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of our business, a proven track record of delivering results, and an unwavering commitment to our mission and values,” said Jeff Fuchs. “This transition reflects the strength of our leadership pipeline and the deliberate planning that positions Delta to excel in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.”

Darin brings over 20 years as a successful senior executive, global business leader, and independently recognized expert at leading business advisory and professional services firms, as well as experience as a C-level executive and board member in complex, high value transformation. As leader of the Global Construction Practice at Navigant Consulting, Inc., he expanded markets, adjacent service lines, geographies, and impactful offerings for clients, making the business into one of the largest operators in the sector. Following Navigant’s carveout and combination with Ankura Consulting Group, he led the newly merged disputes, investigations, and expert services practices across the global legal, risk, and compliance marketplace, spanning four continents. Later, as Ankura’s Chief Administrative Officer, he successfully positioned the newly formed company as a highly profitable and rapidly growing consultancy. Darin’s career foundation is in Big 4 consulting as a Partner at EY.

“I am honored to step into this role and lead Delta,” said Darin. “With the exceptional talent of our employee-owners, the support of our Board, and the solid foundation Jeff has built, we are well positioned to seize new opportunities, exceed our client’s expectations, and drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders.”

“As we embark on this new chapter, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the core values that have been the cornerstone of our success,” Jeff added. “With Darin’s vision and leadership, Delta is well-positioned to continue thriving, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation that will propel us into the future.”

About Delta Consulting Group 

Since 2000, Delta Consulting Group has provided advisory, risk mitigation and dispute resolution services with prominent global law firms, government agencies, and top companies in over 90 countries. Our multi-disciplined professionals in engineering, accounting, finance, economics, investigations, fraud, construction, project management and litigation support deliver independent advice to resolve our clients’ most complex situations. Delta is a 100% employee-owned company and was named a 2024 Top Workplace by The Washington Post.

To learn more about Delta please visit delta-cgi.com.

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.