Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING TRAINING

TCEP-The Civil Engineering Podcast

TCEP 170: Leading a Fast-Growing Civil Engineering Company in Today’s World

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fast-growing civil engineering companyIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Peter Moore, P.E., LEED AP, ENV SP, F.ASCE, President of Chen Moore and Associates, and official nominee for worldwide ASCE President-Elect in 2021 about his experience over the years being a leader at a very fast-growing civil engineering company. The interesting part about his experience is that he became a part-owner at a very young age. He also discusses his vision as nominee for the ASCE President-Elect 2021.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Peter:

  1. How do you personally make sure you are working on the right things each day when leading a fast-growing civil engineering company?
  2. When you have a fast-growing civil engineering company, how do you identify and solve problems?
  3. How important is it to create and document core processes and practice them consistently across the company?
  4. How do you build your company culture and carry it through in the company?
  5. You are a nominee for the ASCE President-Elect in 2021. Can you share with us what your vision is as a nominee?

Here Are The Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Leading a Fast-Growing Civil Engineering Company:

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TCEP 169: Civil Engineers Need To Lead the System of Systems

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lead the system of systemsIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Maria Lehman, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, the Director of U.S. Infrastructure at GHD, and an official nominee for the worldwide ASCE President-Elect 2021. Maria will be talking about America’s infrastructure, the ASCE Report Card, the needs of the civil engineering profession, and how civil engineers need to lead the system of systems.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Maria Lehman on How Civil Engineers Need to Lead the System of Systems:

  • The American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on March 3rd. Can you share with us some of the results and grades that were given to the different sectors?
  • The Failure to Act: Economic Impacts of Status Quo Investment Across Infrastructure Systems quantifies how the persistent failure to invest in our aging infrastructure impacts the economy. Can you share some of its findings and how it affects the cost to families when we don’t invest in infrastructure?
  • How do you successfully deliver mega-projects? 
  • How would you say civil engineers need to lead the system of systems?
  • Do you have any advice for civil engineers out there who are planning to get involved with mega-projects, or who are considering pursuing a career similar to yours?
  • You are a nominee for the ASCE President-Elect 2021. Can you share with us what your vision is as a nominee?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Leading the Systems of Systems:

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TCEP 168: The Importance of Having a Vision-Driven Company (and Developing Your People)

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Vision-Driven CompanyIn this episode, the third in our Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs series, I talk to Jenny Snape, P.E., Managing Partner at Batture, LLC about building a vision-driven company with a social mission that does both profit and pro-bono work.

Engineering Quotes:

Vision-Driven Company

Vision-Driven Company

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jenny:

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TCEP 167: ASCE 2020 Report Card – West Virginia | Bridging the Gap for Young Civil Engineers

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report cardIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Tabitha Lafferre, E.I., an Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Fairmont State University about how the ASCE 2020 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure was a way of connecting engineering students with experienced professionals. Joining Tabitha in the conversation is one of her students, and the president of the ASCE Student Chapter, Lauren Johnson, who also worked on the report card.

Engineering Quotes:

report card

report card

report card

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tabitha and Lauren:

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TCEP 166: Growing a Civil Engineering Firm: People Development Strategies

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Growing a Civil Engineering FirmIn this episode, which is part of the Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs series, I talk to Brian Smith, P.E., civil engineer and founding partner of Urban Design Partners, about growing a civil engineering firm, but specifically around growing your people.

Growing a Civil Engineering Firm

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Brian:

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TCEP 165: Fostering Innovation on Major Infrastructure Projects

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major infrastructure projectsIn this episode, I talk to Milos Vasiljevic, PE, Program Manager at HDR, about fostering innovation on major infrastructure projects, and I mean mega projects. Milos has worked on some really interesting projects and will discuss some of the details and benefits of working on these megaprojects.

Engineering Quotes:

major infrastructure projects

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Milos:

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TCEP 164: How to Effectively Measure Business Growth in Your Civil Engineering Firm

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In this episode, which is the first episode in our new Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs series, I talk to Gordon Greene, P.E., of Patel, Greene & Associates about how to effectively measure business growth and the use of standing operating procedures in the business world.

Engineering Quotes:

Measure Business Growth

Measure Business Growth

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Gordon:

  • Why is it important for a company to have a vision or mission statement?
  • How do you ensure that the everyday tasks or actions that your people are taking are contributing toward the overall vision?
  • What is your philosophy around meetings?
  • Does every person in your company have a goal or goals that they are working toward, and are these goals aligned with the vision of the company?
  • Are there specific metrics, indicators, or numbers that you use to effectively measure business growth at your company?
  • How often do you monitor those metrics and what tools do you use to monitor them?
  • What have you found to be the most important indicator in the terms of the health of your civil engineering firm?
  • Are the people who work in the company held accountable through key performance indicators and other metrics?
  • Does your company emphasize capturing core processes that can be practiced consistently throughout the company?
  • As a leader, how do you ensure these processes are captured and practiced consistently across the company and that they are followed by all the employees?
  • As the company grows, should you consider stepping away from the project work?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Measuring Business Growth:

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TCEP 163: An Exclusive Look Into the Largest Construction Project in Virginia’s History

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Largest Construction ProjectIn this episode, I talk to Douglas Frost, P.E., a Senior Vice President at Dewberry. Douglas currently serves as the Quality Assurance Manager for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion, and in this episode I talk to him about this project, which is the largest construction project in Virginia’s history. He also talks about Dewberry’s involvement in the project and discusses some interesting aspects around the project.  He even offers an amazing piece of career advice that was given to him by Mr. Sidney Dewberry!

Engineering Quotes:

Largest Construction Project

Largest Construction Project

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Douglas:

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TCEP 162: Women in Civil Engineering: How to Overcome Obstacles

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Women in Civil EngineeringIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, which is part of our Women in Civil Engineering series, I talk to Danielle Goudreau, a project manager at Collins Engineers, about how she found a cool niche to specialize in and what she is doing to build her expertise in the niche. She also talks about her experience as a woman in civil engineering.

Engineering Quotes:

Women in Civil Engineering

Women in Civil Engineering

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Danielle:

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TCEP 161: Should I Go to Grad School or Apply for Civil Engineering Jobs?

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grad schoolIn this episode, I answer a question that I get from civil engineering students almost daily. Should they seek full-time employment immediately after completing their undergraduate studies or go to grad school and pursue a master’s degree? And I promise you, whether you are a student, a project manager, an owner, or a CEO, you will take something out of this episode because I get into the decision-making processes.

Graduate school and professional engineering licensure are invaluable — but, as with any career, it is more a question of timing, and the answer to this question is different for every civil engineering graduate, depending on their situation.

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